[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 217 (Friday, November 8, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60395-60396]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-24348]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-10001-84-OA]


Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Committee (FRRCC) Notice of 
Membership Solicitation

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Request for nominations.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting 
nominations for membership on the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities 
Advisory Committee (FRRCC). The purpose of the FRRCC is to provide 
policy advice, information, and recommendations to the EPA 
Administrator on a range of environmental issues and policies that are 
of importance to agriculture and rural communities.

DATES: Nominations should be submitted no later than December 31, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Submit nominations electronically (preferred) with the 
subject line ``FRRCC Membership 2020'' to [email protected]. You may also 
submit nominations by hardcopy, but they must be received by the office 
by December 31, 2019 to be considered. Via regular mail: Hema 
Subramanian, Designated Federal Officer for the FRRCC, U.S. EPA, 1200 
Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Mail Code 1101A, Washington, DC 20460. Via 
courier: Hema Subramanian, Designated Federal Officer for the FRRCC, 
U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, William Clinton Jefferson North 
Building--Room 2415, Washington, DC 20460. Questions may be directed to 
Hema Subramanian at [email protected] or 202-564-7719. General information 
regarding the FRRCC can be found on the EPA website at: www.epa.gov/faca/frrcc. General information about Federal advisory committees at 
EPA is available at: www.epa.gov/faca.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hema Subramanian, Designated Federal 
Officer for the FRRCC, U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Mail Code 
1101A, Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202-564-7719; email 
address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    EPA established the FRRCC in 2008 pursuant to the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, in order to help EPA build a more 
positive and proactive relationship with the agricultural industry in 
furtherance of EPA's mission to protect human health and the 
environment. The FRRCC serves as part of EPA's efforts to expand 
cooperative working relationships with the agriculture community and 
others who are interested in agricultural issues and achieving greater 
progress in environmental protection. The FRRCC provides advice and 
recommendations to the EPA Administrator on environmental issues and 
programs that impact, or are of concern to, farms, ranches and rural 
communities. Topics addressed may include food loss and waste, water or 
air quality issues, pesticides, toxics, emergency response, enforcement 
and compliance, technology and innovation, and other topics of 
environmental importance pertaining to agriculture and rural 
communities. The previous Charter for the FRRCC was scheduled to expire 
and therefore was renewed in 2018; however, the committee currently has 
no members. EPA is currently seeking 20-30 members for the committee, 
who will be appointed for 2-3 year terms. 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 relevant sectors, including; but not 
limited to academia, agricultural industry, nongovernmental 
organizations, and state, local, and tribal governments.
    The Committee expects to meet approximately twice 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.

II. Eligibility

    Because of the nature of the issues to be discussed, it is the 
intent of the Agency for the majority of Committee members to be 
actively engaged in farming or ranching. 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 a variety of relevant sectors. Members 
may represent farmers, ranchers, and rural communities (can include 
large, small, crop, livestock, commodity, and specialty producers from 
various regions)--and their allied industries (farm groups, rural 
suppliers, marketers, processors, etc.); as well as the academic/
research community who research environmental issues impacting 
agriculture, tribal agriculture groups, state, local, and tribal 
government, and environmental/conservation and other nongovernmental 
organizations. Individuals are generally appointed to serve on the 
FRRCC as ``Representative'' members and are thus expected to represent 
the points of view of a particular group (e.g., an industry sector), 
rather than provide independent judgment and expertise. Other Federal 
agencies and other sectors as appropriate may be invited to attend or 
provide presentations at committee meetings as non-members. EPA values 
and welcomes diversity. In an effort to obtain nominations of diverse 
candidates, EPA encourages nominations of women and men of all racial 
and ethnic groups.
    Per an October 31, 2017 EPA Directive, ``Strengthening and 
Improving Membership on EPA Federal Advisory Committees,'' members of 
EPA Federal advisory committees cannot concurrently receive EPA grants, 
either as principal investigator or co-investigator, or be in a 
position that otherwise would reap substantial direct benefit from an 
EPA grant. This principal does not apply to state, tribal, or local 
government agency recipients of EPA grants.
    In selecting committee members, EPA will consider each candidate's 
qualifications including, but not limited to, on whether the candidate 
is:
     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 agricultural experience regardless 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.

[[Page 60396]]

     Possesses a professional knowledge of agricultural issues 
and environmental policy.
     Possesses a demonstrated ability to examine and analyze 
complicated environmental issues with objectivity and integrity.
     Possesses excellent interpersonal as well as oral and 
written communication skills.
     Possesses an ability and willingness to participate in a 
deliberative and collaborative process.
    In addition, well-qualified applicants must be prepared to process 
a substantial amount of complex and technical information and have the 
ability to volunteer several hours per month to the Committee's 
activities, including participation in teleconference meetings and 
preparation of text for Committee reports.

III. Nominations

    Any interested person or organization may submit the names of 
qualified persons, including themselves. To be considered, all 
nominations should include the information requested below:
     Current contact information for the nominee, including the 
nominee's name, organization (and position within that organization), 
business address, email address, and daytime telephone number(s).
     A brief statement describing the nominee's interest and 
availability in serving on the FRRCC. Please also include the following 
information, as available: (1) The nominee's ability to serve as a 
``Representative'' member and represent the point of view of a group 
(e.g., an industry sector) rather than provide independent judgment and 
expertise; (2) if the nominee currently receives funding from an EPA 
grant; (3) if the nominee has any prior/current service on Federal 
advisory committees, and the number of years.
     R[eacute]sum[eacute] or curriculum vitae detailing the 
nominee's background, experience and qualifications and other relevant 
information.
    Letters of support and recommendation will be accepted but are not 
mandatory. To help the agency evaluate the effectiveness of its 
outreach efforts, please indicate how you learned of this nomination 
opportunity.

    Dated: October 25, 2019.
Elizabeth (Tate) Bennett,
Agriculture Advisor to the Administrator, Associate Administrator, 
Office of Public Engagement and Environmental Education.
[FR Doc. 2019-24348 Filed 11-7-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6560-50-P