  SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1 UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
CHARTER

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Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee

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1.		Committee's Official Designation (Title): 

	

Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee.

	

2.		Authority:

This charter establishes the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory
Committee

( FRRCC)  in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (FACA),

5 U.S.C. App. 2 § 9 (c).  The FRRCC is in the public interest and
supports EPA in performing its duties and responsibilities.

3.	Objectives and Scope of Activities:

	The FRRCC will provide advice and recommendations to the Administrator
on 

environmental issues and programs that impact, or are of concern to,
farms, ranches, and rural communities.  Topics covered may include
issues relating to water, air and radiation, solid waste and emergency
response, pesticides and toxics, enforcement and compliance assistance,
and research and development.  

The major objectives will be to provide advice and recommendations on:

Impacts of Agency agriculture-related programs, policies, and
regulations regarding climate change and renewable energy.   

Identification and development of a comprehensive environmental strategy
for livestock operations.  

Development of a constructive approach or framework to address areas of
common interest between sustainable agriculture and protection of the
environment.   

  

4.	Description of Committee’s Duties:

The duties of the FRRCC are solely advisory in nature.

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

The FRRCC will report its advice and recommendations to the EPA
Administrator.

6.	Agency Responsible for Providing the Necessary Support:

EPA’s Office of Cooperative Environmental Management, Office of the
Administrator will be responsible for financial and administrative
support. 

7.	Estimated Annual Operating Costs and Person-Years:

The estimated annual operating cost of the FRRCC is $375,000 which
includes 2.0 person-years of support.

8.	Estimated Number and Frequency of Meetings:

The Committee expects to meet approximately two (2) times a year, or as
needed and approved by the Designated Federal Officer (DFO).  Meetings
will be held in Washington, DC and the EPA regions.  EPA may pay travel
and per diem expenses when determined necessary and appropriate. A
full-time or permanent part-time employee of EPA will be appointed as
the DFO.  The DFO or a designee will be present at all meetings, and
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.

As required by FACA, the FRRCC 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 5 U.S.C. § 552b (c). 
Interested persons may attend meetings, appear before the Committee as
time permits, and file comments with the Committee.

9.	Duration and Termination: 

 

The FRRCC will be examined annually and will exist until the EPA
determines that the Committee is no longer needed. This charter will be
in effect for two years from the date it is filed with Congress. After
the initial two-year period, the charter may be renewed as authorized in
accordance with Section 14 of FACA (5 U.S.C. App. 2 § 14).

10.	Member Composition:

The FRRCC will be composed of approximately thirty (30) members who will
serve as Regular Government Employees (RGEs) or as Representative
members.  The majority of members will be actively engaged in farming or
ranching.  In selecting members, EPA will consider candidates from farm
groups, conservation and environmental groups, agricultural processors
and retailers, academia, citizen’s groups, and state, local, and
tribal governments. Members may represent farmers, ranchers, and rural
communities—large and small, crop and livestock, commodity and
specialty, regionally balanced—and the rural suppliers, marketers, and
processors that serve farmers, ranchers and rural communities; as well
as the academic/research community who do research on environmental
issues impacting agriculture, tribal agriculture groups, state and local
government representatives, and environmental/conservation groups. The
USDA and other Federal agency members will serve as RGEs

11.	Subgroups:

EPA, or the FRRCC with EPA’s approval, may form 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
chartered Committee 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 EPA.

January 22, 2008

Agency Approval Date	

January 23, 2008

GSA Consultation Date	

February 20, 2008

Date Filed with Congress	

