UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY CHARTER

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GOOD NEIGHBOR ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD

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1. Committee's Official Designation (Title):

Good Neighbor Environmental Board

2. Authority:

This charter renews the Good Neighbor Environmental Board (GNEB) in accordance with the 

provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App. 2. The GNEB is in 

the public interest, and is specifically directed under Section 6 of the Enterprise for the Americas 

Initiative Act, 7 U.S.C. Section 5404. 

The authority of the President under this section to establish an advisory board to be known as 

the Good Neighbor Environmental Board is delegated to the Administrator of the Environmental 

Protection Agency (EPA), pursuant to Section 10 of Executive Order 12916, 

May 13, 1994.

3. Objectives and Scope of Activities:

The GNEB will provide advice, information and recommendations on the need for 

implementation of environmental and infrastructure projects “within the States of the United 

States contiguous to Mexico in order to improve the quality of life of persons residing on the 

United States side of the border.”

4. Description of Committee’s Duties:

The duties of the GNEB are solely to provide advice. 

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

The GNEB advises the President or his delegatee and also may provide advice to Congress 

through the President or his delegatee. 

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 Federal Advisory Committee Management and Outreach, within the 

Office of the Administrator. 
7. Estimated Annual Operating Costs and Work Years:

The estimated annual operating cost of GNEB is $425,000 which includes 1.5 person-years of 

support.

8. Designated Federal Officer:

A full-time or permanent part-time employee of EPA will be appointed as the Designated 

Federal Officer (DFO). The DFO or a designee will be present at all of the advisory committee’s 

and subcommittee meetings. 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, and will chair meetings when directed to do so by 

the official to whom the committee reports.

9. Estimated Number and Frequency of Meetings:

The committee expects to meet approximately three (3) times a year. Meetings may occur 

approximately once every four (4) months or as needed and approved by the DFO. EPA may pay

travel and per diem expenses when determined necessary and appropriate. 

As required by FACA, the GNEB 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 subsection (c) of Section 552b of Title 5, U.S.C. Interested persons may attend meetings, 

appear before the committee as time permits, and file comments with the GNEB. 

10. Duration and Termination: 

This charter will be in effect for two years from the date it is filed with Congress. After this twoyear period, the charter may be renewed as authorized in accordance with Section 14 of FACA.

11. Member Composition:

The GNEB will be composed of approximately 25 members who will serve as Representative 

members of non-federal interests, Regular Government Employees (RGEs), or Special 

Government Employees (SGEs). Representative members are selected to represent the points of 

view held by organizations, associations, or classes of individuals. In selecting members, EPA 

will consider candidates from the United States Government, including the Department of 

Agriculture; tribal government; governments of the States of Arizona, California, New Mexico, 

and Texas; and private organizations, including community development, academic, health, 

environmental, and other non-governmental entities. 
12. Subgroups:

EPA, or the GNEB with EPA’s approval, may form GNEB 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 GNEB 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 

President. 

13. Recordkeeping: 

The records of the committee, formally and informally established subcommittees, or other 

subgroups of the committee, shall be handled in accordance with NARA General Records 

Schedule 26, Item 2 and EPA Records Schedule 181 or other approved agency records 

disposition schedule. Subject to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, these records 

shall be available for public inspection and copying, in accordance with the Federal Advisory

Committee Act.

August 10, 2012

Agency Approval Date

September 7, 2012

Date Filed with Congress