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UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY CHARTER 

 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ADVISORY COUNCIL 

1. Committee's Official Designation (Title): 

National Environmental Justice Advisory Council 

2. Authority: 

This charter renews the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC) in 

accordance with the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. 

App. 2 ' 9 (c). NEJAC is in the public interest and supports EPA in performing its duties and 

responsibilities. 

3. Objectives and Scope of Activities:

 NEJAC will provide independent advice and recommendations to the Administrator on 

areas relating to environmental justice that may include: 

a. Advice on EPA's framework development for integrating socioeconomic 

programs into strategic planning, annual planning, and management 

accountability for achieving environmental justice results agency-wide. 

b. Advice on measuring and evaluating EPA's progress, quality, and adequacy in 

planning, developing, and implementing environmental justice strategies, 

projects, and programs. 

c. Advice on EPA's existing and future information management systems, 

technologies, and data collection, as well as recommendations to conduct analyses 

that support and strengthen environmental justice programs in administrative and 

scientific areas. 

d. Advice to help develop, facilitate, and conduct reviews of the direction, criteria, 

scope, and adequacy of the EPA=s scientific research and demonstration projects 

relating to environmental justice. 

e. Advice for improving how the EPA and others participate, cooperate, and 

communicate within the Agency and between other Federal agencies, State, or 

local governments, Federally recognized Tribes, environmental justice leaders, 

interest groups, and the public. 

f. Advice regarding EPA=s administration of grant programs relating to 
environmental justice assistance (not to include the review or recommendations of 

individual grant proposals or awards). 

g. Advice regarding EPA's awareness, education, training, and other outreach 

activities involving environmental justice. 

4. Description of Committees Duties: 

The duties of the NEJAC are solely advisory in nature. 

5. Official(s) to Whom the Committee Reports: 

The NEJAC will provide advice and recommendations, and report to the EPA 

Administrator through the Office of Environmental Justice, Office of Enforcement and 

Compliance Assurance. 

6. Agency Responsible for Providing the Necessary Support: 

EPA will be responsible for financial and administrative support. Within EPA, this 

support will be provided by the Office of Environmental Justice, Office of Enforcement and 

Compliance Assurance. 

7. Estimated Annual Operating Costs and Work Years: 

The estimated annual operating cost of NEJAC is $251,510, which includes 2.5 

person-years of support. 

8. Estimated Number and Frequency of Meetings: 

The NEJAC may meet twice a year. Meetings may occur approximately once every 6 

months or as needed and approved by the Director of the Office of Environmental Justice, who 

serves as the Designated Federal Officer (DFO), or his/her designee. EPA may pay travel and 

per diem expenses when determined necessary and appropriate. A full-time, or permanent parttime, employee of EPA will be appointed as the DFO. The DFO, or a designee, will be present 

at all meetings, and each meeting will be conducted in accordance with an agenda approved in 

advance by the DFO. The DFO is authorized to adjourn any meeting when he or she determines 

it is in the public interest to do so. 

As required by FACA, the NEJAC will hold open meetings, unless the EPA 

Administrator determines that a meeting or a portion of a meeting may be closed to the public in 

accordance with 5 U.S.C. ' 552b (c). Interested persons may attend meetings, appear before the 

committee as time permits, and file comments with the NEJAC. 
9. Duration and Termination: 

The NEJAC will be examined annually and will exist until the EPA Administrator or 

Deputy Administrator determines the Council is no longer needed. This charter will be in effect 

for one year from the date it is filed with Congress. After this one-year period, the charter may 

be renewed as authorized in accordance with Section 14 of FACA (5 U.S.C. App. 2 ' 14). 

10. Member Composition: 

The NEJAC will be composed of approximately 26 members. Most members will serve 

as representatives of non-Federal interests. In selecting members, EPA will consider candidates 

from among, but not limited to: community-based groups; industry and business; academic and 

educational institutions; State and local governments; Federally recognized Tribes and 

Indigenous groups; and non-governmental and environmental groups, as deemed appropriate. 

11. Subgroups: 

EPA, or the NEJAC with EPA=s approval, may form subcommittees or workgroups for 

any purpose consistent with this charter. Such subcommittees or workgroups may not work 

independently of the chartered committee and must report their recommendations and advice to 

the NEJAC for full deliberation and discussion. Subcommittees or workgroups have no 

authority to make decisions on behalf of the chartered committee nor can they report directly to 

the EPA. 

August 17, 2005 

Agency Approval Date 

August 24, 2005 

GSA Consultation Date 

 September 23, 2005 

Date Filed with Congress