Notice2023-25363
Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee; Notice To Establish Animal Agriculture and Water Quality Subcommittee and Solicitation of Nominations for Membership to the Animal Agriculture and Water Quality Subcommittee
Primary source
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Published
November 16, 2023
Issuing agencies
Environmental Protection Agency
Abstract
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency) invites nominations from a diverse range of qualified candidates to serve on a new subcommittee of the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee (FRRCC), entitled the Animal Agriculture and Water Quality (AAWQ) subcommittee. The goal of the AAWQ subcommittee will be to provide recommendations that will inform the Agency's decisions regarding how to improve the implementation of the Clean Water Act (CWA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) permitting program to more effectively reduce nutrients and other types of water pollutants from Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs), including determining whether any revisions to the regulations are warranted, and whether EPA can otherwise support the efforts of AFO operators to protect water quality.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 220 (Thursday, November 16, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 220 (Thursday, November 16, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 78746-78747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-25363]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-11559-01-OA]
Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities Advisory Committee; Notice To
Establish Animal Agriculture and Water Quality Subcommittee and
Solicitation of Nominations for Membership to the Animal Agriculture
and Water Quality Subcommittee
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice; request for nominations.
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SUMMARY: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or Agency)
invites nominations from a diverse range of qualified candidates to
serve on a new subcommittee of the Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities
Advisory Committee (FRRCC), entitled the Animal Agriculture and Water
Quality (AAWQ) subcommittee. The goal of the AAWQ subcommittee will be
to provide recommendations that will inform the Agency's decisions
regarding how to improve the implementation of the Clean Water Act
(CWA) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) permitting program to more
effectively reduce nutrients and other types of water pollutants from
Animal Feeding Operations (AFOs), including determining whether any
revisions to the regulations are warranted, and whether EPA can
otherwise support the efforts of AFO operators to protect water
quality.
DATES: To be considered for membership appointment to the AAWQ
subcommittee, nominations should be submitted no later than January 2,
2024.
ADDRESSES: Nominations must be submitted electronically with the
subject line ``AAWQ Membership 2023'' to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3d7c7c6a6c7d584d5c135a524b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2160607670614451400f464e57">[email protected]</span></a>. General
information regarding the AAWQ can be found on the EPA website at:
<a href="https://www.epa.gov/faca/frrcc">https://www.epa.gov/faca/frrcc</a>. General information about Federal
Advisory Committees at EPA is available at: <a href="http://www.epa.gov/faca">www.epa.gov/faca</a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Venus Welch-White, (202) 566-2369, Designated Federal Officer
for both the FRRCC and AAQW at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6e2f2f393f2e0b1e0f40090118"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f0b1b1a7a1b0958091de979f86">[email protected]</span></a>. General information
regarding the FRRCC can be found on the EPA website at <a href="https://www.epa.gov/faca/frrcc">https://www.epa.gov/faca/frrcc</a>.
Dr. Venus Welch-White, Designated Federal Officer, AAWQ and Dr.
Lauren Mosesso, Alternate Designated Federal Officer, AAWQ, can be
reached at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#da9b9b8d8b9abfaabbf4bdb5ac"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bdfcfceaecfdd8cddc93dad2cb">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
On August 15, 2023, EPA responded to two petitions sent by
environmental and community groups requesting that EPA revise its Clean
Water Act (CWA) regulations for the National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System (NPDES) Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO)
program. Instead of initiating rulemaking at this time, as the
petitions requested, EPA decided to conduct a comprehensive evaluation
of the CAFO program to consider the most effective and efficient ways
to reduce pollutants generated from CAFOs. EPA will establish a Federal
Advisory Committee (FAC) subcommittee, called the Animal Agriculture
and Water Quality (AAWQ) subcommittee, under the existing Farm, Ranch,
and Rural Communities Committee (FRRCC). After engaging with the AAWQ
and reviewing their recommendations, EPA will consider whether to
revise its regulations or whether the issues discussed in the petitions
can be more effectively addressed through non-regulatory initiatives.
EPA is currently seeking nominations for members to serve on the
AAWQ subcommittee, who will be appointed for an estimated term of 12 to
18 months. Balanced and diverse representation is being sought from the
following stakeholders across the geographic regions of the United
States:
<bullet> Agricultural industry
<bullet> Environmental, community, and public health groups
<bullet> Local governments
<bullet> Research institutions
<bullet> States and Tribes
The AAWQ expects to hold meetings approximately four times per year
over the course of 12 to 18 months. The first subcommittee meeting is
anticipated to be held in-person at or near EPA Headquarters in
Washington, DC, in the spring of 2024. Subsequent meetings and/or
listening sessions may be held in Washington, DC, other parts of the
[[Page 78747]]
country, or virtually. In addition to the meetings, the minimum
expected workload for members is approximately 5-10 hours per month,
and potentially more depending on the responsibilities members choose
to take on. Members will serve on the subcommittee in a voluntary
capacity; however, EPA may provide reimbursement for travel expenses
associated with official government business.
II. Eligibility To Serve on Subcommittee
Because of the nature of the issues to be discussed, it is the
intent of the Agency for subcommittee members to have significant
experience with (1) CAFO production area practices, (2) CAFO land
application practices, and (3) effective means to limit pollution from
CAFOs.
Topics that the AAWQ will discuss include, but are not limited to:
<bullet> Agricultural technology adoption and economics (e.g.,
digesters, treat and discharge systems, nutrient management
technologies).
<bullet> CWA NPDES program.
<bullet> Day-to-day operations of CAFOs, especially concerning land
application, management, or off-site transport of manure, litter, and
process wastewater.
<bullet> Development and implementation of agricultural
conservation practices and technologies.
<bullet> Public health and environmental impacts of CAFOs.
EPA is seeking nominees for the AAWQ subcommittee who have
demonstrated experience with the operations of animal agriculture
practices and/or the impacts of animal feeding operations on public
health and/or water quality. Nominations are sought from, but not
limited to, AFO/CAFO operators; agricultural economists; agricultural
producers, growers, and ranchers; nongovernmental organizations
studying agricultural, public health, and environmental impacts;
community members who reside adjacent to or near AFO/CAFO operations;
academic researchers and/or extension agents; state, local, and tribal
governments; and wastewater utilities. The membership of the AAWQ
subcommittee will include a balanced representation of interested
persons representing the geographic diversity of the Unites States.
Individuals will be generally appointed to serve on the AAWQ
subcommittee as ``Representative'' members and are thus expected to
represent the points of view of a particular group (e.g., a community,
organization, or industry), rather than provide independent judgment
and expertise. Other Federal agencies, and members of other sectors, as
warranted, may be invited to attend, offer expertise, or provide
presentations at committee meetings as non-members.
Nominees must be able to volunteer approximately 5-10 hours per
month to the AAWQ subcommittee's activities, including participation in
virtual workgroup meetings and preparation of text for the
subcommittee's Final Report.
In accordance with Executive Order 14035 (June 25, 2021) and
consistent with law, 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.
III. Nominations To Serve on Subcommittee
Any interested person or organization may submit the names of
qualified persons, including themselves. Nominations must be submitted
electronically with the subject line ``AAWQ Membership 2023'' to
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c48585939584a1b4a5eaa3abb2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3273736563725742531c555d44">[email protected]</span></a>. To be considered, all nominations should include the
information requested below:
<bullet> 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).
<bullet> A brief statement describing the nominee's interest,
relevant experience, and availability in serving on the AAWQ
subcommittee, as well as: (1) The nominee's ability to serve as a
``Representative'' member and represent the point of view of a group
(e.g., a community, organization, or industry) rather than provide
independent judgment and expertise; and (2) whether the nominee has any
prior/current service on Federal advisory committees, and, if so, the
number of years.
<bullet> R[eacute]sum[eacute] or curriculum vitae detailing the
nominee's background, experience, and qualifications, and any other
relevant materials.
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.
Venus Welch-White,
Senior Advisor to EPA Senior Advisor for Agriculture, Office of the
Administrator, U.S. EPA.
[FR Doc. 2023-25363 Filed 11-15-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
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