Notice2021-22766
Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through Recreation Opportunities
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
October 19, 2021
Issuing agencies
Interior Department
Abstract
As part of its implementation of an Executive order, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government, the Department of the Interior (DOI) is conducting five virtual listening sessions and inviting public comments to obtain stakeholder input on barriers that underserved communities and individuals may face in participating in recreation opportunities on DOI-managed public lands and waters.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 199 (Tuesday, October 19, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 199 (Tuesday, October 19, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57848-57849]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22766]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of the Secretary
[DOI-2021-0008]
Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities
Through Recreation Opportunities
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of listening sessions and request for public comments.
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SUMMARY: As part of its implementation of an Executive order, Advancing
Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the
Federal Government, the Department of the Interior (DOI) is conducting
five virtual listening sessions and inviting public comments to obtain
stakeholder input on barriers that underserved communities and
individuals may face in participating in recreation opportunities on
DOI-managed public lands and waters.
DATES: DOI will hold five virtual listening sessions on the following
dates:
--October 19, 2021 from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. ET
--October 21, 2021 from 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. ET
--October 25, 2021 from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. ET
--October 26, 2021 from 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. ET
--October 27, 2021 from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. ET
Interested persons are also invited to submit comments in writing
or online (see ADDRESSES below) on or before November 18, 2021.
ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on this notice. You may
submit comments online at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> by entering
``DOI-2021-0008'' in the Search bar and clicking ``Search'' or by mail
to U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Policy Analysis--Mailstop
3530, ATTN: E.O. 13985 Recreation Comments, 1849 C Street NW,
Washington, DC 20240. You may respond to some or all of the questions
listed in the ``Supplementary Information--Questions'' section of this
document. All public comments received are subject to the Freedom of
Information Act and will be posted in their entirety at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, including any personal or business confidential
information provided. Do not include any information you would not like
to be made publicly available.
If you plan to attend one of the virtual listening sessions and
need assistance in a language other than English or if you are a person
with disabilities who needs a reasonable accommodation, please contact
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#db9f9e929a9bb2b4a8f5bfb4b2f5bcb4ad"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9fdbdad6dedff6f0ecb1fbf0f6b1f8f0e9">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Oliver, D&I Strategist, Office of
Diversity, Inclusion, and Civil Rights, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a5e1e0ece4e5cccad68bc1cacc8bc2cad3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="094d4c40484960667a276d6660276e667f">[email protected]</span></a>. (202) 208-
7301.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On January 20, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden issued Executive
Order 13985 on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved
Communities through the Federal Government. In response to Executive
Order 13985, DOI is consulting with members of communities who have
been historically underrepresented in the Federal Government and
underserved by, or subject to discrimination, in Federal policies and
programs. The term ``underserved communities'' refers to populations
sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities,
that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate
in aspects of economic, social, and civic life, such as Black, Latino,
and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific
Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities;
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning/queer and
[[Page 57849]]
related identities (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons
who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by
persistent poverty or inequality. In addition to identifying barriers,
DOI seeks recommendations on how to update processes, policies,
regulations, and guidance to address inequities associated with
recreation on DOI-managed public lands and waters. While all members of
the public are invited to submit comments, the target audience for
listening sessions is members of the underserved communities identified
in Executive Order 13985, which includes:
<bullet> Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons,
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color;
<bullet> LGBTQ+ persons;
<bullet> Persons with disabilities;
<bullet> Persons who live in rural areas; and
<bullet> Persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty
or inequality.
Questions for Discussion
The Department of the Interior is generally interested in input on
the following questions, where applicable:
1. What are the barriers to visiting public lands and waters
managed by DOI (including the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of
Reclamation, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service)?
2. How can DOI remove or reduce barriers (e.g., update policies,
practices, or programs) that underserved communities and individuals
may face when they recreate or attempt to recreate on DOI-managed lands
and waters?
3. How can DOI establish and maintain connections to a wider and
more diverse set of stakeholders representing underserved communities?
What are the best ways to notify and engage underserved stakeholders
about recreational opportunities?
Comments received in response to this notice and from listening
sessions will be evaluated and, as appropriate, incorporated into DOI's
efforts to improve access to recreational opportunities on DOI-managed
public lands and waters.
Listening Session Registration Information
Advanced registration for individuals and groups is strongly
encouraged. For additional information about the listening sessions and
to register for a listening session, please visit <a href="https://www.doi.gov/ppa/equity">https://www.doi.gov/ppa/equity</a>/13985. Details for the sessions will be posted to the
website and additional information will be emailed to registered
participants in advance of the sessions.
Eric Werwa,
Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary--Policy, Management and
Budget.
[FR Doc. 2021-22766 Filed 10-15-21; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 4334-63-P
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