Document ID: EPA_FRDOC_0001-28090
Agency: epa
Document Type: Notice
Title: Requests for Nominations: Rural Communities Advisory Committee
Posted Date: 2022-03-30T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 61 (Wednesday, March 30, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18367-18368]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-06741]

[[Page 18367]]

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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-9671-01-OA]

Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee (FRRCC) 
Call for Nominations

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice; request for nominations.

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SUMMARY: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is inviting 
nominations for membership on the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities 
Advisory Committee (FRRCC). The purpose of the FRRCC is to provide 
policy advice, information, and recommendations to the EPA 
Administrator on a range of environmental issues and policies that are 
of importance to agriculture and rural communities.

DATES: To be considered for 2022 appointments, nominations should be 
submitted no later than May 16, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Submit nominations electronically with the subject line 
``FRRCC Membership 2022'' to [email protected].
    General information regarding the FRRCC can be found on the EPA 
website at: www.epa.gov/faca/frrcc. General information about Federal 
Advisory Committees at EPA is available at: www.epa.gov/faca.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Venus Welch-White, Designated Federal 
Officer for the FRRCC, U.S. EPA, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Mail Code 
1101A, Washington, DC 20460; telephone number: 202-564-7719; email 
address: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    EPA established the FRRCC in 2008 pursuant to the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, in order to help EPA build a more 
positive and proactive relationship with the agricultural industry in 
furtherance of EPA's mission to protect human health and the 
environment. The FRRCC serves as part of EPA's efforts to expand 
cooperative working relationships with the agriculture community and 
others who are interested in agricultural issues and achieving greater 
progress in environmental protection. The FRRCC provides advice and 
recommendations to the EPA Administrator on environmental issues and 
programs that impact, or are of concern to, farms, ranches and rural 
communities. Topics addressed may include climate change, water or air 
quality issues, pesticides, toxics, food loss and waste, environmental 
justice, emergency response, enforcement and compliance, technology and 
innovation, and other topics of environmental importance pertaining to 
agriculture and rural communities. The charter for the FRRCC was 
renewed in February 2022. EPA is currently seeking members for the 
committee, who will be appointed for 2- or 3-year terms and may be 
eligible for reappointment. The membership of this committee will 
include a balanced representation of interested persons with relevant 
experience to contribute to the functions of the committee, and will be 
drawn from relevant sectors, including but not limited to academia, 
agricultural industry, nongovernmental organizations, and state, local, 
and tribal governments.
    The full Committee expects to meet approximately twice a year, or 
as needed and approved by the Designated Federal Officer (DFO). 
Meetings will be held in Washington, DC, the EPA regions, and 
virtually. EPA is committed to prioritizing members' health and safety 
during the COVID-19 pandemic and will follow CDC guidelines when 
considering any in-person meeting. The Administrator may ask members to 
serve on Subcommittees and Workgroups to develop reports and 
recommendations to address specific policy issues, reflecting the 
priorities of the Administration. The average workload for members is 
approximately 5 hours per month. Members serve on the Committee in a 
voluntary capacity. However, EPA may provide reimbursement for travel 
expenses associated with official government business.

II. Eligibility

    Because of the nature of the issues to be discussed, it is the 
intent of the Agency for the majority of Committee members to be 
actively engaged in farming or ranching. The membership of this 
committee will include a balanced representation of interested persons 
with relevant experience to contribute to the functions of the 
committee and will be drawn from a variety of relevant sectors. Members 
may represent farmers, ranchers, and rural communities (can include 
large, small, crop, livestock, commodity, and specialty producers from 
various regions)--and their allied industries (farm groups, rural 
suppliers, marketers, processors, etc.); as well as the academic/
research community who research environmental issues impacting 
agriculture, tribal agriculture groups, state, local, and tribal 
government, and environmental/conservation and other nongovernmental 
organizations. Individuals are generally appointed to serve on the 
FRRCC as ``Representative'' members and are thus expected to represent 
the points of view of a particular group (e.g., an industry sector), 
rather than provide independent judgment and expertise. Other Federal 
agencies and other sectors as appropriate may be invited to attend or 
provide presentations at committee meetings as non-members.
    In accordance with Executive Order 14035 (June 25, 2021), EPA 
values and welcomes opportunities to increase diversity, equity, 
inclusion and accessibility on its federal advisory committees. EPA's 
federal advisory committees have a workforce that reflects the 
diversity of the American people.
    In selecting committee members, EPA will consider each candidate's 
qualifications including, but not limited to, on whether the candidate 
is:
     Is actively engaged in farming.
     Occupies a senior position within their organization.
     Holds leadership positions in ag-related organizations, 
businesses and/or workgroups.
     Has broad agricultural experience regardless of their 
current position.
     Has experience working on issues where building consensus 
is necessary.
     Has membership in professional societies, broad-based 
networks or the equivalent.
     Has extensive experience in the environmental field 
dealing with agricultural issues.
     Provides services to producers.
     Is involved in processing, retailing, manufacturing and 
distribution of agricultural products.
     Possesses a professional knowledge of agricultural issues 
and environmental policy.
     Possesses a demonstrated ability to examine and analyze 
complicated environmental issues with objectivity and integrity.
     Possesses excellent interpersonal as well as oral and 
written communication skills.
     Possesses an ability and willingness to participate in a 
deliberative and collaborative process.
    In addition, well-qualified applicants must be prepared to process 
a substantial amount of complex and technical information and have the 
ability to volunteer several hours per month to the Committee's 
activities, including participation in teleconference meetings and 
preparation of text for Committee reports.

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III. Nominations

    Any interested person or organization may submit the names of 
qualified persons, including themselves. To be considered, all 
nominations should include the information requested below:
     Current contact information for the nominee, including the 
nominee's name, organization (and position within that organization), 
business address, email address, and daytime telephone number(s).
     A brief statement describing the nominee's interest and 
availability in serving on the FRRCC. Please also include the following 
information, as available: (1) The nominee's ability to serve as a 
``Representative'' member and represent the point of view of a group 
(e.g., an industry sector) rather than provide independent judgment and 
expertise; (2) if the nominee has any prior/current service on Federal 
advisory committees, and the number of years.
     R[eacute]sum[eacute] or curriculum vitae detailing the 
nominee's background, experience and qualifications and other relevant 
information.
    Letters of support and recommendation will be accepted but are not 
mandatory. To help the agency evaluate the effectiveness of its 
outreach efforts, please indicate how you learned of this nomination 
opportunity.
    Other sources, in addition to this Federal Register notice, may be 
utilized in the solicitation of nominees. EPA expressly values 
diversity, equity, and inclusion, and encourages the nominations of 
interested individuals from diverse backgrounds. Individuals may self-
nominate.

Rodney Snyder,
Senior Advisor for Agriculture, EPA.
[FR Doc. 2022-06741 Filed 3-29-22; 8:45 am]
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