(a) Responsibilities. The Federal Interagency Panel for World Heritage is established to advise the Department of the Interior on implementation of the World Heritage Convention. Among other things, the panel assists in the following activities:

(1) The development of policy and procedures for effectively implementing the Convention in the U.S.;

(2) The evaluation of draft U.S. nomination documents;

(3) The making of recommendations for approval of U.S. nominations;

(4) The dissemination of information on the Convention within other Federal agencies; and

(5) The promotion of increased awareness and understanding of the importance of heritage conservation.

(b) Composition.

(1) The Federal Interagency Panel for World Heritage is composed of representatives, named by their respective agencies, from the following agencies and offices:

(i) The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, U.S. Department of the Interior;

(ii) The National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior;

(iii) The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of the Interior;

(iv) The President's Council on Environmental Quality;

(v) The Smithsonian Institution;

(vi) The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation;

(vii) The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce; and

(viii) The Department of State.

(2) Additional representatives from other Federal agencies with mandates and expertise in heritage conservation may be requested to participate in the Panel from time to time.

(3) The Assistant Secretary, or his/her designee, chairs the Panel, and sets its agenda and schedule. The NPS provides staff support to the Panel.