UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTI ON AGENCY CHARTER

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**GOOD NEIGHBOR ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD**

**______________________________________________________________________________ 1.**  **Com mittee'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
. GNEB is in the public interest, and is specificall y directed under Section 6 of the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative Act, 7 U.S.C. Section 5404. The authorit y of the President under this section to establish an advisory board to be known as the G ood 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:**  GNEB will provide advice, informatio n 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 bord er. ” **4. Description of Committee’s Duties:**  The duties of GNEB are solely to provide advice
. **5. Official(s) to Whom the Committee Reports:**  The Committee advises the President or his delegatee and also may provide advice to Congress through the Pre sident 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 Cooperative Environmental Management, within the Office of the Administrator. **7. Estimated Annual Operating Costs and Work Years:**  The estimated annual operating cost of GNEB is $ 4 25 ,000 which includes 1. 5 person ye ars of support. **8. Designated Federal Officer:**  A full
- time or permane nt part - time employ ee of EPA will be appointed as the D esignated 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 approve d in advance b y the DFO. The DFO is authorized to adjourn an y meeting when he or she determines it is in the public interest to do so, and will chair meetings when directed to do so b y the official to whom the committee reports. **9 .**  **Estimated Number and F requency of Meetings:**  The committee expects to meet approximately three (3) times a ye ar. 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 b y FACA, 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 5 5 2b of Title 5, U .S.C . Int erested 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 ye ars from the date it is filed with Congress. After this two
- ye ar period, the charter may be renewed as authorized in accordance with Section 14 of FACA
.**1 1**  **. Member Composition:** 

GNEB will be composed of approximately 25 members. Members will serve as representatives of non
- Federal interests or regular governm ent emplo yees (RGEs). GNEB will include representatives 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, incl uding community development, academic, health, environmental, and other non
- governmental entities. In selecting members, EPA will consider candidates with experience in and diverse points of view on environmental and infrastructure
related issues. **1 2**  **. S**  **ubgroups:** EPA, or 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 independentl y of the chartered committee and must report their recommendati ons 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 General Records Schedule 26, Item 2 or other approved agency records disposition schedule. These records shall be available for public inspection and copying, in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act and subject to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552.
August 25, 2010 Agency Approval Date September 10, 2010 Date Filed with Congress