The maintenance of unusually high standards of honesty, integrity, impartiality, and conduct by employees and special Government employees is essential to assure the proper performance of the Water Resources Council's (hereafter referred to as the Council) business and the maintenance of confidence by citizens in their Government. The avoidance of misconduct and conflicts of interest on the part of employees and special Government employees through informed judgment is indispensable to the maintenance of these standards. To accord with these concepts, this part sets forth the Council's regulations prescribing standards of conduct and responsibilities and governing statements of employment and financial interests for employees and special Government employees.

In this part:

(a) Employee means the Director and an employee of the Council employed by the Director under the authority of § 701.78(a)(4) of this chapter.

(b) Special Government employee means a special Government employee as defined in section 202 of Title 18 of the United States Code who is employed by the Council.

(a) A violation of this part by an employee or special Government employee may be cause for remedial action. Remedial action may include, but is not limited to:

(1) Changes in assigned duties;

(2) Divestment by the employee or special Government employee of his conflicting interest;

(3) Disciplinary action which may be in addition to any penalty prescribed by law; or

(4) Disqualification for a particular assignment.

(b) Remedial action, whether disciplinary or otherwise, shall be effected in accordance with any applicable laws, Executive orders, and regulations.

The General Counsel will serve as Counselor for the purpose of providing interpretation and advisory assistance to the Council staff on matters covered in this part 706.