UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTI ON AGENCY CHARTER

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**GOOD NEIGHBOR ENVIRONMENTAL BOARD**

**______________________________________________________________________________ 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 . GNEB is in the public interest, and is specificall y di rected 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 Good Neighbor Environmental Board is delegated to the A dministrator 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, information and recommendations on the need for implementation o f 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 GNEB are solely advisory in nature. **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 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 Cooperative Environmental Management, within the Office of the Administrator. **7. Estimated Annual Operating Costs and Work Years:**  The estimated annual operating co st of GNEB is $ 4 10 ,000 which includes 1. 5 person ye ars of support. **8. Estimated Number and Frequency 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 nee ded and approved by the Designated Federal Officer (DFO). EPA may pay travel and per diem expenses when determined necessary and appropriate. A full - time or permanent part - time employee o f 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 an y meeting when he or she determines it is in the public interest to do so. 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, United States Code. Interested persons may attend meetings, appear before the committee as time permits, and file comments with the GNEB. **9. Duration and Termination:**  This charter will be in effect for two ye ars from the date it is fil ed with Congress. After this two - ye ar period, the charter may be renewed as authorized in accordance with Section 14 of FACA . **10. Member Composition:**  GNEB will be composed of approximately twent y - five (25) members. Members will serve as representati ves of non - Federal interests or regular government employ ees (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 Mex ico, and Texas; and private organizations, including community development, academic, health, environmental, and other non - governmental entities. In selecting members, EPA will consider candidates with experience in and expertise on environmental and infr astructure - related issues.**11. Subgroups:** 

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 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.
S eptember 2, 2008 Agency Approval Date September 11, 2008 Date Filed with Congress