[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 119 (Thursday, June 22, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40818-40819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-13216]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-11056-01-OA]


Request for Nominations to the National Environmental Youth 
Advisory Council

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of request for applications.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites 
applications from a diverse range of qualified candidates to be 
considered for appointment to the National Environmental Youth Advisory 
Council. Approximately sixteen vacancies are expected to be filled by 
December 2023. For appointment consideration, nominations should be 
submitted by August 22, 2023. Sources in addition to this Federal 
Register notice may also be utilized in the solicitation of nominees.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carissa Cyran, Designated Federal 
Officer, Office of Public Engagement and Environmental Education, 
[email protected], telephone 202-566-1353.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Background: NEYAC is a federal advisory committee chartered under 
the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463. NEYAC was 
created in 2023 by the United States Environmental Protection Agency's 
Office of Public Engagement and Environmental Education at the 
direction of the Administrator of EPA. Implementing authority was 
delegated to the Administrator of EPA. The NEYAC provides independent 
advice and recommendations to the Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency (EPA) on how to increase EPA's efforts to address a 
range of environmental issues as they relate to youth communities, with 
an emphasis on communities with ages below 29 years of age. The NEYAC 
provides a critical perspective on how the impacts of climate change 
and other environmental harms affects youth communities. Members are 
appointed by the EPA Administrator for a two-year term. NEYAC expects 
to meet at least once annually and the average workload for committee 
members is approximately 10 to 15 hours per month. Members serve on the 
committee in a voluntary capacity. Although we are unable to offer 
compensation or an honorarium, members may receive travel and per diem 
allowances, according to applicable federal travel regulations and the 
agency's budget. To learn more about NEYAC, please visit https://www.epa.gov/education/national-environmental-youth-advisory-council-neyac.
    The EPA is seeking nominations from a variety of sectors including 
but not limited to representatives from business and industry, 
academia, non-governmental organizations, and local, county, and tribal 
governments. According to the mandates of FACA, committees are required 
to support diversity across a broad range of constituencies, sectors, 
and groups.
    In accordance with Executive Order 14035 (June 25, 2021) and 
consistent with law, EPA values and welcomes opportunities to increase 
diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility on its federal advisory 
committees. EPA's federal advisory committees strive to have a 
workforce that reflects the diversity of the American people.
    The following criteria will be used to evaluate applicants:
     The NEYAC will be composed of approximately (16) members 
who will generally serve as Representative members of non-federal 
interests appointed by the Administrator of EPA.
     Members will serve as Representatives and will be between 
the ages of 16 and 29 but may surpass 29 years of age if the length of 
their term overlaps with a corresponding birthday; however, they would 
not be able to be reappointed if their age exceeds 29 years of age. 
Members must be 16 years of age by the time of their appointment.
     In selecting members, EPA will consider candidates from 
business and industry, academic institutions, state, local and tribal 
governments, public interest groups, environmental organizations, 
service groups, and more. In determining a fair spread across 
categories, no more than 60% of the advisory committee can come from a 
single categorical entity.
     At least 50% of the overall membership of the NEYAC should 
either come from, reside primarily in, and/or do most of their work in 
disadvantaged communities as defined by the Climate and Economic 
Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) as part of the Justice40 Initiative.
     Members must demonstrate notable commitment to 
environmental issues with extensive involvement, knowledge, or 
engagement with relevant material and/or affected communities.
     Members must demonstrate an ability to work in a consensus 
building process with a wide range of representative from diverse 
constituencies.
     Members must be able to contribute approximately 10 to 15 
hours per month to NEYAC's activities, including the attendance at 
meetings and participating in the development of advice letters/reports 
and other material.
     Members must demonstrate potential for active and 
constructive involvement in NEYAC's work.
    How to Submit Applications: Any interested person or organization 
may apply to be considered for an appointment to serve on the National 
Environmental Youth Advisory Council.
     Applications must include:
    [cir] (1) contact information as outlined below:
    [ssquf] Applicants must provide their: full legal name, preferred 
name if applicable, pronouns, date of birth, current home address, and 
phone number.
    [ssquf] If under 18, the Agency will contact applicants for 
additional information to obtain proof of age.
    [cir] (2) resume or curriculum vitae (CV) OR a short biography 
describing professional and/or educational qualifications or 
experiences, including but not limited to a list of relevant 
activities/clubs/volunteering/community projects/etc. as well as any 
current or previous service on advisory committees OR a 2-page single 
spaced (font size 12, 1-inch margins) maximum essay on qualifications
    [cir] (3) statement of interest explaining why you would like to 
serve on this committee:
    [ssquf] The statement of interest should describe how the nominee's 
background, knowledge, and experience would add value to the 
committee's work, and how the individual's qualifications would 
contribute to the overall diversity of the NEYAC. To help the Agency in 
evaluating the effectiveness of its outreach efforts, please include in 
the statement of interest how you learned of this opportunity.
    [cir] (4) a media project that can take the form of any ONE of the 
below options. The media project must share more about the applicant's 
viewpoint on the intersection between youth communities and 
environmental issues, including a focus on an urgent environmental or 
climate issue and its specific impact on youth communities.

[[Page 40819]]

    [ssquf] Media projects containing audio and/or video must be shared 
via a link (e.g., Google Drive, SharePoint, etc.) and can NOT be 
included as an attachment. The link should lead to a downloadable copy.
    [ssquf] A 2-page single-spaced 1-inch margin essay.
    [ssquf] A 2-page single-spaced 1-inch margin letter to the editor.
    [ssquf] A 2-page single-spaced 1-inch margin blog post.
    [ssquf] A 2-minute video.
    [ssquf] A 2-minute podcast.
    [ssquf] 8'' x 11'' or smaller piece of artwork as a scanned copy.
    [ssquf] 3-minute song.
    Please be aware that EPA's policy is that, unless otherwise 
prescribed by statute, members generally are appointed for a two-year 
term. For appointment consideration, interested nominees should submit 
the application materials electronically via email to Carissa Cyran at 
[email protected] with the subject line NEYAC, COMMITTEE APPLICATION 
PACKAGE 2023 for (Name of Nominee) by August 22, 2023.

Kathryn Avivah Jakob,
Director, Office of Public Engagement, Office of Public Engagement and 
Environmental Education, Office of the Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2023-13216 Filed 6-21-23; 8:45 am]
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