             UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY CHARTER
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                       GOOD NEIGHBOR ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD
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1.	Committee's Official Designation (Title):

Good Neighbor Environmental Board

2.	Authority:

This charter renews the Good Neighbor Environmental Board (GNEB) in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App. 2. The GNEB is in the public interest, and is specifically directed under Section 6 of the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative Act, 7 U.S.C. Section 5404.  

The authority of the President under this section to establish an advisory board to be known as the Good Neighbor Environmental Board is delegated to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), pursuant to Section 10 of Executive Order 12916, 
May 13, 1994.

3.	Objectives and Scope of Activities:

The GNEB will provide advice, information and recommendations on the need for implementation of environmental and infrastructure projects "within the States of the United States contiguous to Mexico in order to improve the quality of life of persons residing on the United States side of the border." 

4.	Description of Committee's Duties:

The duties of the GNEB are solely to provide advice. 

5.	Official(s) to Whom the Committee Reports:

The GNEB advises the President or his delegatee and also may provide advice to Congress through the President or his delegatee. 

6.	Agency Responsible for Providing the Necessary Support:

EPA will be responsible for financial and administrative support. Within EPA, this support will be provided by the Office of Federal Advisory Committee Management and Outreach, within the Office of the Administrator.  



7.	Estimated Annual Operating Costs and Work Years:

The estimated annual operating cost of GNEB is $425,000 which includes 1.5 person-years of support.

 8.	Designated Federal Officer:
 
 A full-time or permanent part-time employee of EPA will be appointed as the Designated Federal Officer (DFO). The DFO or a designee will be present at all of the advisory committee's and subcommittee meetings. Each meeting will be conducted in accordance with an agenda approved in advance by the DFO. The DFO is authorized to adjourn any meeting when he or she determines it is in the public interest to do so, and will chair meetings when directed to do so by the official to whom the committee reports.

9.	Estimated Number and Frequency of Meetings:

The committee expects to meet approximately three (3) times a year.  Meetings may occur approximately once every four (4) months or as needed and approved by the DFO. EPA may pay travel and per diem expenses when determined necessary and appropriate.  

As required by FACA, the GNEB will hold open meetings unless the EPA Administrator determines that a meeting or a portion of a meeting may be closed to the public in accordance with subsection (c) of Section 552b of Title 5, U.S.C.  Interested persons may attend meetings, appear before the committee as time permits, and file comments with the GNEB. 

10.	Duration and Termination: 

This charter will be in effect for two years from the date it is filed with Congress. After this two-year period, the charter may be renewed as authorized in accordance with Section 14 of FACA.	

11.	Member Composition:

The GNEB will be composed of approximately 25 members who will serve as Representative members of non-federal interests, Regular Government Employees (RGEs), or Special Government Employees (SGEs). Representative members are selected to represent the points of view held by organizations, associations, or classes of individuals. In selecting members, EPA will consider candidates from the United States Government, including the Department of Agriculture; tribal government; governments of the States of Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas; and private organizations, including community development, academic, health, environmental, and other non-governmental entities. 


12.	Subgroups:

EPA, or the GNEB with EPA's approval, may form GNEB subcommittees or workgroups for any purpose consistent with this charter. Such subcommittees or workgroups may not work independently of the chartered committee and must report their recommendations and advice to the GNEB for full deliberation and discussion. Subcommittees or workgroups have no authority to make decisions on behalf of the chartered committee nor can they report directly to the President.   

13.	Recordkeeping:  
 	
 The records of the committee, formally and informally established subcommittees, or other subgroups of the committee, shall be handled in accordance with NARA General Records Schedule 26, Item 2 and EPA Records Schedule 181 or other approved agency records disposition schedule. Subject to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, these records shall be available for public inspection and copying, in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act.



August 10, 2012
Agency Approval Date



September 7, 2012
Date Filed with Congress






