National Consultations. The draft MOA described national consultations that EPA and the Services intended to undertake regarding EPA’s water quality criteria for the protection of aquatic life that EPA has published under section 304(a) of the CWA, and on procedures in the MOA to ensure that State/Tribal NPDES permits will protect listed species. As discussed further below, we have decided to delete the provision for a national permits consultation from the MOA, and have modified in certain respects the discussion of the national criteria consultation. With regard to the national permits consultation some commenters questioned whether the granting of an exemption from incidental take prohibitions would be appropriate through an incidental take statement issued at the national level without consideration of site-specific circumstances. Other commenters were unclear as to the effect that such a consultation would have on existing state NPDES programs, and were concerned that the agencies not ‘‘reopen’’ those programs through the national consultation. We have considered these comments and have had further interagency discussions of the merits of this programmatic consultation on the permitting procedures. We have decided to delete the discussion of that consultation from the final MOA and, at this time, do not intend to undertake such a consultation on permitting procedures. Our decision not to conduct a national programmatic consultation does not affect our commitment to follow the procedures in section IX of the MOA for coordination with regard to oversight of State/Tribal NPDES permits. Those procedures are designed to share information that will assist permitting authorities in meeting CWA requirements, including the protection of listed species. They describe those circumstances where EPA would use its oversight authorities to ensure these requirements and objectives are met. EPA’s current practice is to consult with the Services where EPA determines that approval of a State’s or Tribe’s application to administer the NPDES program may affect federally listed species. We will continue to conduct such consultations on a case- by-case basis. Where formal consultation is undertaken, a biological opinion issued by the Service(s) would include an incidental take statement in accordance with section 7 of the ESA and 50 CFR Part 402. In addition, as discussed elsewhere in today’s notice and in the final MOA, EPA consults with the Services regarding its approval of new and revised wate...
National Consultations. 1. Representatives of the Agency and the Union shall meet at the national level semi - annually or at such other times as may be mutually agreed. These meetings shall be conducted in Washington, D.C. The purpose of these meetings shall be to provide information to Union representatives and to permit Union representatives an opportunity to ask questions about matters of concern. An agenda covering the items to be discussed must be forwarded, in writing, to the NPPD E&LR Director at least 30 calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting. Up to two (2) additional relevant agenda items may be submitted up to fourteen (14) days before the meeting.
2. Union representatives, not to exceed 3, will be in official time status while attendingsuch meetings. The cost of travel, including per diem, will be borne by the Agency. These national consultations shall not exceed two (2) days in length, with travel being accomplished on official time. Any additional representatives the Union feels are required (not to exceed two (2)) for the meetings may attend on official time at Union expense.
National Consultations. Representatives of the Employer and the Union shall meet at the national level annually or at such other times as may be mutually agreed. These meetings shall be conducted immediately following National Labor Management Partnership Council Meetings held in Washington, D.C. The purpose of these meetings shall be to provide information to the Union’s representatives and to permit the Union representatives to ask questions about matters of concern. An agenda covering the items to be discussed must be forwarded, in writing, to the Assistant Commissioner for Human Resources and Development at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting. Up to ten
National Consultations. Representatives of the Employer and the Union shall meet at the national level annually or at such other times as may be mutually agreed. These meetings shall be conducted immediately following National Labor Management Partnership Council Meetings held in Washington, D.C. The purpose of these meetings shall be to provide information to the Union’s representatives and to permit the Union representatives to ask questions about matters of concern. An agenda covering the items to be discussed must be forwarded, in writing, to the Assistant Commissioner for Human Resources and Development at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the scheduled meeting. Up to ten (10) additional agenda items may be submitted on the first (1st) day of the meeting. Issues of concern about which information is provided may be appropriate subjects for resolution through National Labor-Management Partnership Council meetings or as subjects of negotiation at the time of renegotiation of this Agreement or pursuant to a notice of proposed change in conditions of employment, such as personnel policies, rules, regulationsand/or working conditions in accordance with Article 9. Union representatives, not to exceed five (5), will be in official time status while attending such meetings. The cost of travel, including per diem or actual subsistence, will be borne by the Employer. These national consultations shall be held for two (2) days, with travel being accomplished on official time. Any additional representatives the Union feels are required (not to exceed four (4)) for the meetings may attend on official time at Union expense.
