[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 220 (Thursday, November 16, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78746-78747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-25363]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-11559-01-OA]


Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee; Notice To 
Establish Animal Agriculture and Water Quality Subcommittee and 
Solicitation of Nominations for Membership to the Animal Agriculture 
and Water Quality Subcommittee

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice; request for nominations.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) 
invites nominations from a diverse range of qualified candidates to 
serve on a new subcommittee of the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities 
Advisory Committee (FRRCC), entitled the Animal Agriculture and Water 
Quality (AAWQ) subcommittee. The goal of the AAWQ subcommittee will be 
to provide recommendations that will inform the Agency's decisions 
regarding how to improve the implementation of the Clean Water Act 
(CWA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) 
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) permitting program to more 
effectively reduce nutrients and other types of water pollutants from 
Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs), including determining whether any 
revisions to the regulations are warranted, and whether EPA can 
otherwise support the efforts of AFO operators to protect water 
quality.

DATES: To be considered for membership appointment to the AAWQ 
subcommittee, nominations should be submitted no later than January 2, 
2024.

ADDRESSES: Nominations must be submitted electronically with the 
subject line ``AAWQ Membership 2023'' to [email protected]. General 
information regarding the AAWQ can be found on the EPA website at: 
https://www.epa.gov/faca/frrcc. General information about Federal 
Advisory Committees at EPA is available at: www.epa.gov/faca.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 
    Dr. Venus Welch-White, (202) 566-2369, Designated Federal Officer 
for both the FRRCC and AAQW at [email protected]. General information 
regarding the FRRCC can be found on the EPA website at https://www.epa.gov/faca/frrcc.
    Dr. Venus Welch-White, Designated Federal Officer, AAWQ and Dr. 
Lauren Mosesso, Alternate Designated Federal Officer, AAWQ, can be 
reached at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. General Information

    On August 15, 2023, EPA responded to two petitions sent by 
environmental and community groups requesting that EPA revise its Clean 
Water Act (CWA) regulations for the National Pollutant Discharge 
Elimination System (NPDES) Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) 
program. Instead of initiating rulemaking at this time, as the 
petitions requested, EPA decided to conduct a comprehensive evaluation 
of the CAFO program to consider the most effective and efficient ways 
to reduce pollutants generated from CAFOs. EPA will establish a Federal 
Advisory Committee (FAC) subcommittee, called the Animal Agriculture 
and Water Quality (AAWQ) subcommittee, under the existing Farm, Ranch, 
and Rural Communities Committee (FRRCC). After engaging with the AAWQ 
and reviewing their recommendations, EPA will consider whether to 
revise its regulations or whether the issues discussed in the petitions 
can be more effectively addressed through non-regulatory initiatives.
    EPA is currently seeking nominations for members to serve on the 
AAWQ subcommittee, who will be appointed for an estimated term of 12 to 
18 months. Balanced and diverse representation is being sought from the 
following stakeholders across the geographic regions of the United 
States:

 Agricultural industry
 Environmental, community, and public health groups
 Local governments
 Research institutions
 States and Tribes

    The AAWQ expects to hold meetings approximately four times per year 
over the course of 12 to 18 months. The first subcommittee meeting is 
anticipated to be held in-person at or near EPA Headquarters in 
Washington, DC, in the spring of 2024. Subsequent meetings and/or 
listening sessions may be held in Washington, DC, other parts of the

[[Page 78747]]

country, or virtually. In addition to the meetings, the minimum 
expected workload for members is approximately 5-10 hours per month, 
and potentially more depending on the responsibilities members choose 
to take on. Members will serve on the subcommittee in a voluntary 
capacity; however, EPA may provide reimbursement for travel expenses 
associated with official government business.

II. Eligibility To Serve on Subcommittee

    Because of the nature of the issues to be discussed, it is the 
intent of the Agency for subcommittee members to have significant 
experience with (1) CAFO production area practices, (2) CAFO land 
application practices, and (3) effective means to limit pollution from 
CAFOs.
    Topics that the AAWQ will discuss include, but are not limited to:
     Agricultural technology adoption and economics (e.g., 
digesters, treat and discharge systems, nutrient management 
technologies).
     CWA NPDES program.
     Day-to-day operations of CAFOs, especially concerning land 
application, management, or off-site transport of manure, litter, and 
process wastewater.
     Development and implementation of agricultural 
conservation practices and technologies.
     Public health and environmental impacts of CAFOs.
    EPA is seeking nominees for the AAWQ subcommittee who have 
demonstrated experience with the operations of animal agriculture 
practices and/or the impacts of animal feeding operations on public 
health and/or water quality. Nominations are sought from, but not 
limited to, AFO/CAFO operators; agricultural economists; agricultural 
producers, growers, and ranchers; nongovernmental organizations 
studying agricultural, public health, and environmental impacts; 
community members who reside adjacent to or near AFO/CAFO operations; 
academic researchers and/or extension agents; state, local, and tribal 
governments; and wastewater utilities. The membership of the AAWQ 
subcommittee will include a balanced representation of interested 
persons representing the geographic diversity of the Unites States. 
Individuals will be generally appointed to serve on the AAWQ 
subcommittee as ``Representative'' members and are thus expected to 
represent the points of view of a particular group (e.g., a community, 
organization, or industry), rather than provide independent judgment 
and expertise. Other Federal agencies, and members of other sectors, as 
warranted, may be invited to attend, offer expertise, or provide 
presentations at committee meetings as non-members.
    Nominees must be able to volunteer approximately 5-10 hours per 
month to the AAWQ subcommittee's activities, including participation in 
virtual workgroup meetings and preparation of text for the 
subcommittee's Final Report.
    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 have a workforce that 
reflects the diversity of the American people.

III. Nominations To Serve on Subcommittee

    Any interested person or organization may submit the names of 
qualified persons, including themselves. Nominations must be submitted 
electronically with the subject line ``AAWQ Membership 2023'' to 
[email protected]. 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, 
relevant experience, and availability in serving on the AAWQ 
subcommittee, as well as: (1) The nominee's ability to serve as a 
``Representative'' member and represent the point of view of a group 
(e.g., a community, organization, or industry) rather than provide 
independent judgment and expertise; and (2) whether the nominee has any 
prior/current service on Federal advisory committees, and, if so, the 
number of years.
     R[eacute]sum[eacute] or curriculum vitae detailing the 
nominee's background, experience, and qualifications, and any other 
relevant materials.
    Other sources, in addition to this Federal Register notice, may be 
utilized in the solicitation of nominees. EPA expressly values 
diversity, equity, and inclusion, and encourages the nominations of 
interested individuals from diverse backgrounds. Individuals may self-
nominate.

Venus Welch-White,
Senior Advisor to EPA Senior Advisor for Agriculture, Office of the 
Administrator, U.S. EPA.
[FR Doc. 2023-25363 Filed 11-15-23; 8:45 am]
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