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United States Environmental Protection Agency Advisory Charter - Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee
1. Committee's Official Designation (Title):
Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee
2. Authority:
This charter renews the Pesticide Program Dialogue Committee (PPDC) in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App.2. PPDC is in the public interest and supports EPA in performing its duties and responsibilities under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act; the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act; and the amendments to both of these major pesticide laws by the Food Quality Protection Act (FQPA) of 1996.
3. Objectives and Scope of Activities:
EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) is entrusted with the important responsibilities of ensuring that Americans are not exposed to unsafe levels of pesticides in food, protecting from unreasonable risk and educating those who apply or are exposed to pesticides occupationally or through use of products, and protecting the environment and special ecosystems from potential risks posed by pesticides.
PPDC is a policy-oriented committee that will provide policy advice, information and recommendations to EPA. PPDC will provide a public forum to discuss a wide variety of pesticide regulatory development and reform initiatives, evolving public policy and program implementation issues, and policy issues associated with evaluating and reducing risks from use of pesticides.
The major objectives are to provide policy advice, information and recommendations on:
a. Developing practical, protective approaches for addressing pesticide regulatory policy, program implementation, environmental, technical, economic; and other policy issues; and
b. Reviewing proposed modifications to OPP’s current policies and procedures, including the technical and economic feasibility of any proposed regulatory changes to the current process of registering and reregistering pesticides.
4. Description of Committees Duties:
The duties of PPDC are solely to provide advice to EPA.
5. Official(s) to Whom the Committee Reports:
PPDC will provide policy advice, information and recommendations, and report to the EPA Administrator, through the Office of Pesticide Programs, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances.
6. Agency Responsible for Providing the Necessary Support:
7. Estimated Annual Operating Costs and Work Years:EPA will be responsible for financial and administrative support. Within EPA, this support will be provided by the Office of Pesticide Programs, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances.
The estimated annual operating cost of the PPDC is $250,000 which includes 1.5 person-years of support.
8. Designated Federal Officer:
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.
9. Estimated Number and Frequency of Meetings:
PPDC expects to meet approximately two (2) times a year. Meetings may occur approximately once every six (6) 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.
As required by FACA, the PPDC will hold open meetings unless the 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 PPDC.
10. 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.
11. Member Composition:
PPDC will be composed of approximately thirty-five (35) members. Members will serve as Representative members of non-Federal interests or as Regular Government Employees (RGE). Members are selected to represent the points of view held by specific organizations, associations, or classes of individuals. In selecting members, EPA will consider candidates from pesticide user, grower and commodity groups; consumer and environmental/public interest groups; farm worker organizations; pesticide industry and trade associations; State, local and Tribal governments; Federal government; academia; the general public; and public health organizations.
12. Subgroups:
EPA, or the PPDC with EPA’s approval, may form 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 PPDC 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 EPA.
13. Recordkeeping:
The records of the committee, formally and informally established subcommittees, or other subgroups of the committee, shall be handled in accordance with General Records Schedule 26, Item 2 or other approved agency records disposition schedule. These records shall be available for public inspection and copying, in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act and subject to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552.
October 16, 2009
_________________________Agency Approval Date
October 20, 2009
__________________________GSA Consultation Date
October 30 , 2009
___________________________Date Filed with Congress