Good Neighbor Environmental Board Charter
United States Environmental Protection Agency Charter
Good Neighbor Environmental Board
- Committee's Official Designation (Title):
Good Neighbor Environmental Board
- Authority:
The Good Neighbor Environmental Board was established September 12, 1994, pursuant to Section 6 of the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative Act, 7 U.S.C. Section 5404, and Section 10 of Executive Order 12916, as amended, dated May 13, 1994. The GNEB was continued under the authority of Executive Order 14109, dated September 29, 2023, and operates under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 10.
- Objectives and Scope of Activities:
Section 6 of the Act directs the GNEB to provide advice, information and recommendations on the need for implementation of environmental and infrastructure projects (including projects that affect agriculture, rural development, and human nutrition) 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.
- Description of Duties:
The duties of GNEB are solely advisory in nature. As required by the Act, the GNEB shall submit an annual report on environmental and infrastructure projects that have been implemented, and the need for the implementation of additional environmental and infrastructure projects. The GNEB may also issue comment letters on timely issues that arise between issuance of annual reports.
- Agency or Official to Whom the Committee Reports:
The GNEB advises the President as well as the Congress. The Council on Environmental Quality will be responsible for fulfilling the requirements of FACA Section 6(b).
- Support:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will be responsible for financial and administrative support. Within the EPA, this support will be provided by the Office of Mission Support. The EPA may pay travel and per diem expenses when determined necessary and appropriate.
- Estimated Annual Operating Costs and Staff Years:
The estimated annual operating cost of GNEB is $245,000, which includes 2.00 staff years of support.
- Designated Federal Officer:
A full-time or permanent part-time employee of the EPA will be appointed as the Designated Federal Officer. The DFO or an alternate will approve or call all meetings of the advisory committee and subcommittees, attend the meetings, prepare all meeting agendas, 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
- 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. 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 5 U.S.C. 552b(c). Interested persons may attend meetings, appear before the committee as time permits, and file comments with the GNEB.
- Duration:
The need for this committee is continuing, subject to the termination section below.
- Termination:
Unless continued by the President, the committee will terminate on September 30, 2025, consistent with Executive Order 14109, dated September 29, 2023.
- Membership and Designation:
The GNEB will be composed of approximately 25-35 members who will serve as representative members of non-federal interests or regular government employees. If needed, members may be appointed to serve as special government employees. In accordance with Executive Order 14035 (June 25, 2021) and consistent with law, the EPA values and welcomes opportunities to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility on its federal advisory committees. The EPA’s federal advisory committees have a workforce that reflects the diversity of the American people. Representative members are selected to represent the points of view held by organizations, associations or classes of individuals. In selecting members, the EPA will consider candidates from the United States government, including the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other appropriate agencies; representatives from the governments of the states of Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas; Tribal governments and communities; and private organizations, including community development, academic, health, environmental and other non-governmental entities.
- Subcommittees:
The EPA, or the GNEB with the 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 chartered 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.
- Recordkeeping:
The records of the committee, formally and informally established subcommittees, or other subgroups of the committee, will be handled in accordance with NARA General Records Schedule 6.2 and EPA Records Schedule 1024 or other approved agency records disposition schedule. Subject to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552, these records will be available for public inspection and copying, in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
May 1, 2024
Agency Approval Date
April 10, 2024
GSA Consultation Date
May 13, 2024
Date Filed with Congress