Local Government Advisory Committee: Request for Nominations

AGENCY:

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION:

Notice of request for nominations.

SUMMARY:

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) invites nominations from a diverse range of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment to its Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC). The LGAC is chartered to provide advice to the EPA Administrator on a broad range of environmental issues affecting local governments. This notice solicits nominations for eight to twelve (8-12) anticipated vacancies. To maintain the representation outlined by the charter, nominees will be selected to represent: large cities, moderate-sized cities, small communities, and townships (under 10,000); county-elected officials-urban, suburban and rural; city elected and appointed officials (city council members, city managers); state elected and appointed officials (state representatives, public health, agricultural and state environmental commissioners); and tribal elected and appointed officials (chair, president, natural resources directors). Vacancies are anticipated to be filled by March 2016. Sources in addition to this Federal Register publication may be utilized in the solicitation of nominees.

DATES:

Nominations should be submitted at least by December 14, 2015.

ADDRESSES:

Submit nominations electronically with the subject line “LGAC Membership 2016” to eargle.frances@epa.gov. You may also submit nominations by mail to: Frances Eargle, LGAC Designated Federal Officer, Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations (OCIR), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., (MC1301A), Washington, DC 20460. Non-electronic submissions must follow the same format and contain the same information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Frances Eargle, Designated Federal Officer for the LGAC, U.S. EPA; telephone (202) 564-3115; email: eargle.frances@epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The LGAC is a federal advisory committee chartered under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), Public Law 92-463. EPA established the LGAC in 1993 to provide independent advice to the EPA Administrator on a broad range of public health and environmental issues affecting local governments. The LGAC conducts business in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App2) and related regulations.

The Committee consists of approximately 30 members (including a Chairperson) appointed by the EPA's Administrator. Members serve as non-federal stakeholders representing: Large cities, moderate-sized cities, small communities, and townships (under 10,000); county-elected officials-urban, suburban and rural; city elected and appointed officials (city council members, city managers); state elected and appointed officials (state representatives, state environmental and public health commissioners); and tribal elected and appointed officials (chair, president, natural resources directors). Members are appointed for one or two (1-2) year terms, and eligible for reappointment.

The LGAC usually meets two or three times a year. Additionally, members may be asked to participate in teleconference meetings or serve on a subcommittee and workgroups to develop recommendations, advice letters and reports to address specific policy issues. The average workload for members is approximately 3-6 hours per month. Honoraria or compensation for your services is not authorized, however, you may receive travel and per diem allowances where appropriate and according to applicable federal travel regulations.

Nominations: The EPA values and welcomes diversity. In an effort to obtain nominations of diverse candidates, the agency encourages nominations of women and men from racially, ethnically, and socio-economically diverse communities. All nominations will be fully considered, but applicants need to be aware of the specific representation sought as outlined in the Summary above. In addition, EPA is seeking nominees with demonstrated local leadership in community sustainability and sustainable development; public health and health disparities; air and water quality issues; climate change and climate resiliency; green jobs and economic initiatives; and energy and environmental financing.

Other criteria used to evaluate nominees will include:

• The background and experience that would help members contribute to the diversity of perspectives on the committee (e.g., geographic, economic, social, cultural, educational background, professional affiliations, and other considerations);
• Demonstrated experience as elected and/or appointed official for a local, state or tribal government;
• Demonstrated experience working with officials from other governments or other levels of government (e.g., other local governments, federal agencies);
• Excellent interpersonal and consensus-building skills;
• Ability to volunteer time to attend meetings 2-3 times a year, participate in teleconference meetings, attend listening sessions with the Administrator or other senior-level EPA officials, develop policy recommendations to the Administrator and prepare reports and advice letters; and
• Willingness to commit time to the committee and demonstrated ability to work constructively and effectively on committees.

How to submit nominations: Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified persons to be considered for appointment to this advisory committee. Individuals may self-nominate. Nominations can be submitted in electronic format (preferred) or in hard copy format (see ADDRESSES section above). To be considered, all nominations should include:

• Current contact information for the nominee, including the nominee's name, organization (and position within that organization), current business address, email address, and daytime telephone number;
• A brief statement describing the nominee's interest in serving on the LGAC; and
• A resume and short biography describing the professional and educational qualifications of the nominee, including a list of relevant activities, and any current or previous service on advisory committees; and Letter(s) of recommendation from a third party supporting the nomination. Letter(s) should describe how the nominee's experience and knowledge will bring value to the work of the LGAC.

Other sources, in addition to this Federal Register notice, may be utilized in the solicitation of nominees. To help the EPA in evaluating the effectiveness of its outreach efforts, please tell us how you learned of this opportunity.