[Federal Register: November 15, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 220)]
[Notices]
[Page 64215-64216]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr15no07-63]
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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.
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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
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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, haggins.marrietta@epa.gov, 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, scholl.jon@epa.gov,
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