[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 220 (Thursday, November 15, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64215-64216]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-22380]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-8495-2]


Request for Nomination to the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities 
Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of Request for Nominations.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites 
nominations for membership on the Farm, Ranch and Rural Communities 
Advisory Committee.
    The membership of this committee will include a balanced 
representation of interested persons with relevant experience to 
contribute to the functions of the committee and will be drawn from 
farm groups, conservation and environmental groups, agricultural 
processors and retailers, academia, citizen's groups and tribal 
governments.
    Background: In order to help EPA build a more positive and 
proactive relationship with the agricultural industry to protect human 
health and the environment, the EPA is forming a Farm, Ranch and Rural 
Communities Federal Advisory Committee. This Committee 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.
    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. Members 
serve on the Committee in a voluntary capacity. However, EPA may 
provide reimbursement for travel expenses associated with official 
government business. Because of the nature of the issues to be 
discussed, it is the intent of the Agency for the Committee to have a 
majority of members who are actively engaged in farming or ranching.
    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. USDA 
and other Federal agencies, as appropriate, will be invited to nominate 
members to serve as regular government employees.
    In selecting committee members, EPA will consider each candidate's

[[Page 64216]]

qualifications including, but not limited to, whether the candidate is:
     Actively engaged in farming.
     Occupies a senior position within their organization.
     Holds leadership positions in ag-related organizations, 
businesses and/or workgroups.
     Has broad experience outside of their current position.
     Has experience working on issues where building consensus 
is necessary.
     Has membership in professional societies, broad-based 
networks or the equivalent.
     Has extensive experience in the environmental field 
dealing with agricultural issues.
     Provides services to producers.
     Is involved in processing, retailing, manufacturing and 
distribution of agricultural products.

DATES: Establishment of this Committee will take place by the Fall of 
2007. Any interested person or organization may submit the names of 
qualified persons, including themselves. Suggestions for the list of 
candidates should be identified by name, occupation, qualifications, 
organization, position, address, and telephone number. Submissions 
should include a resume or curriculum vita detailing the nominee's 
background, experience and qualifications and other relevant 
information, and a short biography should be included as well. Letters 
of support and recommendation will be accepted but are not mandatory.

ADDRESSES: Submit suggestions for candidates to: Marrietta Haggins, 
Staff Assistant, U.S. EPA (MC 1601M), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20460, [email protected], 202-564-3692.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jon Scholl, Counselor to the 
Administrator for Agricultural Policy, U.S. EPA (MC 1101A), 1200 
Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20460, [email protected], 
202-564-7719. The Agency will not formally acknowledge or respond to 
nominations.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the proposed Committee is to 
provide advice to the Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
Agency (EPA) on environmental issues and programs that impact, or are 
of concern to, farms, ranches and rural communities. The Committee is a 
part of EPA's efforts to expand cooperative working relationships with 
the agriculture industry and to achieve greater progress in 
environmental protection. 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. In addition, tools and approaches that are 
cross media in nature and would help agricultural producers improve 
their environmental performance, and barriers to greater environmental 
protection and means to improve working relationships between the 
Agency and agricultural producers, may also be examined. The Committee 
may be asked to: prepare papers, reports, letters, memos or other forms 
of correspondence to convey their advice and recommendations on 
implementing the FTTA, Executive Order 12591, and other related or 
associated authorities; review periodic EPA reports describing the 
Agency's progress in implementing statutes, executive orders and 
regulations on issues potentially impacting the agricultural industry; 
and, assess alternative approaches for measuring the environmental 
benefits of these activities.

    Dated: October 31, 2007.
Jon Scholl,
Counselor to the Administrator for Agricultural Policy.
[FR Doc. E7-22380 Filed 11-14-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P