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. 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:

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 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 cost of GNEB is $410,000 which includes 1.5 personyears of support.

8. 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 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 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, 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, 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 years from the date it is filed with Congress. After 

this two-year period, the charter may be renewed as authorized in accordance with Section 14 of 

FACA.

10. Member Composition:

GNEB will be composed of approximately twenty-five (25) members. Members will 

serve as representatives of non-Federal interests or regular government employees (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, 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 

infrastructure-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 

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. 

September 2, 2008

Agency Approval Date

September 11, 2008

Date Filed with Congress