UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON. D.C 20460 OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR MavlS. 2006 The Head Librarian EPA's Headquarter Library Room 3340 EPA Wesi Building MC: 3404T Washington, DC 20460 Dear Librarian: Enclosed arc two copies of the 2005 reports of the U.S. National Advisory Committee (NAC) and the U.S. Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC). This notification is provided to you in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) Section 13. NAC Advice letters: • Advice letter: May 20, 2005 • Advice letter: November 16, 2005 GAC Advice letters: • Advice letter: May 19, 2005 • Advice letter: November 22,2005 Sincerely, Oscar Carrillo Designated Federal Officer Recycled/Recyclable Printed with Soy/Cnnola Ink contains at least 50% recycled liber r\ C} Printed with Soy/Cnnola Ink on paper that ------- IJ S Governmental Advisory Committee Independent Federal Ailvuon on the NotIh American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation Committee Members Chair Placido dos Santos Telephone 520-628-6744 C-mail pds@azdeq gov Designated Federal Olficei Oscar Can illo Tel 202-233-0072 camllo oscar@epa gov Placido dos Santos Chan Aiizona ChailcsColleitc Florida John Duffy Alaska Ronald J Dutlon Texas Lisa Govei New Mexico SaiahD Lilc Michigan Ricaiclo Martinez California Robci t R Scott New Hanipslin c Caiola G Seirato Texas Ellen Smyth Texas Colin Soto Arizona Jeff Wennbeig Ve.i inoiil November 22, 2005 The Honorable Stephen L Johnson Administrator U S Environmental Protection Agency 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N W Washington, D C 20460 Dear Administrator Johnson The Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) to the U S. Representative to the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) met on October 20-21st in San Diego, California. Consistent with desires expressed by the U.S. EPA's Office of International Affairs, this committee spent most of its time discussing the enhancement of private sector participation as a means of addressing the CEC's Puebla pillar of capacity building in Mexico The committee also addressed specific requests for advice from the EPA regarding three additional topics' 1) budget reform in the CEC, 2) CEC publications procedures, and 3) CEC working groups Members of the GAC genuinely appreciate the time that you allocated to meet with members of this committee during the June 2005 CEC Council Session in Quebec City, Canada The committee greatly values the opportunity to fulfill our advisory role in a sticnglhcncd mannct through personal interaction with you at the Council Sessions We thank you for taking time from your busy schedule to meet with us and look forward to our next meeting when the Council is scheduled to meet in the United States We also take this opportunity to express gratitude to Barbara Mcleod, Acting Director of EPA's Office of International Environmental Policy, for her letter dated September 13, 2005 It is very helpful for us to receive such feedback in response to our deliberations and advisory letters We also take pleasure in recognizing the efforts of EPA's Office of Cooperative Environmental Management (OCEM) for their professionalism and hard work with the administration of the GAC and its non-governmental counterpart, the National Advisory Committee (NAC) In particular we express gratitude to Mr Oscar Carnllo, the committees' Designated Fcdcial Officer, for his attention to details throughout the year By virtue of preparatory and follow-up efforts made by Mr Camllo and support staff at OCEM, our deliberations proceed smoothly and remain on-mark so that our advice can be of optimal value to the United States government. During our meeting last month, we also had the great pleasure of meeting and getting to know Mr Rafael DeLeon, the recently appointed Director of EPA's OCEM We take this opportunity to commend Mr DeLeon for demonstrating a pcisonal interest in the work of the GAC and NAC by virtue of his presence and active support of our recent deliberations We iccogmzc that OCEM has broad responsibilities regarding the administration of numerous advisory bodies so we arc especially appreciative to him for displaying a strong and clear interest in our work. ------- ^e also appreciate the parliLipation of lenrv Clifford 1. *> Alienwle Representative to the CEC and \adt\a Ruiz, both Irom the EPA s Otfice of International MTairs (OIA) Mr Clifford's personal interaction with our committee was trulv invaluable The dialogue between Mr Clifford and the advisor, committee members helped focus the committees and led to a specific time- sensime objective expressed b> EPA during the meeting Members of the G AC were also pleased to ha\e received written questions from OIA in advance of the meeting as a tool to help provide focus on areas of interest to the I S Government The GAC considers the presence of senior stall from the CEC Secretariat 10 be a \er> useful resource for our effective deliberations We appreciated Doug Wright's presentation and views regarding the organization's activities, budget and direction as established b> the Parties The facts and perspectives brought bv the Secretanat's senior staff serves to "ground-truth" our discussions while enhancing our own understanding of issues and activities \&e thank EPA for accommodating the Secretariat at our meetings We also express gratitude to Jane Gardner, a member of Joint Public Advisorv Committee for her presence at the meeting, thereb) promoting effective information exchange among our related advisory bodies Finally, we would also like to recognize and thank the outgoing members of the GAC. all of whom served with distinction Stephen M ah food, the former chairman of the GAC. who made a great contribution with his exemplar) leadership and consensus-building skills We also acknow ledge the commitment of our other outgoing colleagues. Michael Colvm. Robert Huston. Karl Kalbacher, James Matz, and Harvev Rubin, for their dedicated sen. ice as members of the GAC In conclusion, we thank vou for EPA's continued support of our role in the enhancement of environmental conditions throughout North America and we hope that the L' S EPA finds our advice useful regarding the ongoing reforms and future strategic direction of the CEC Placido dos Santos. Chair Governmental Advisorv Committee cc- Judith Ayres. Assistant Administrator for EPA's Office of International Affairs Jerr> Clifford. Deputv Assistant Administrator for EPA's Office of International Affairs Rafael DeLeon. Director. Office of Cooperative Environmental Management Dolores Wesson. Chair, U S National Ad\ ison. Committee Jane Gardner. Chair. Joint Public Advisor) Committee Jean Perras. Chair. Canadian National Advisorv Committee Stephen Mahfood, Former Chair of (he U S Governmental Advisorv Committee Members of the U S. Governmental Advisor. Committee Administrate suppon forihe G^C i< provided bv ihe L S CnuronmcniBl Protection Agcnc> Office of Cooperative environmental Management Mail Code 160IE 655l5"St Suite 800 Washmgion DC 20005 (H202-233-0072 ifl 202-233-0060 ------- Gosemmental Ad\isor\ Committee (GAC) to the U S Representative to the Commission tor Environmental Cooperation (CEC) Advice 200S-S: Prhate Sector Involvement in the CEC Ad Hoc Subcommittee—The GAC recommends forming an ad hoc subcommittee composed of NAC and GAC members to explore increasing private sector participation in the work of the CEC • The subcommittee's goal would be to heed the challenge from the U.S. Alternate Representative to explore options for developing a strategy uith multinationals regarding "greening the supply chain''. • The subcommittee would stn\e to complete this task in time for the CEC Council Session that is likel) to be held in Washington. D C during June 2006 • The subcommittee should include technical advisors, such as a representative of the CEC Secretariat and a member of the JPAC. Business RoundUble—The GAC recommends capitalizing on the networks and contacts built at the April 27th Business Roundtable. • The GAC recommends that consideration be given to reuniting the Roundtable participants and selecting potential CEC projects for private sector involvement • Furthermore, the GAC recommends that consideration be given to using the US-Mexico border region as an "incubator" for the overall concept of enhancing pnvate sector involvement by building on existing international relationships. This includes, state to state relationships. Tribal Nations and Indigenous Community relations, binational environmental recognition programs (such as the Anzona-Sonora AMIGO Program) and private sector engagement in that region Recognition Programs—The GAC recommends that the U S Government closeK examine the potential value of recognition programs as a reward/incentive mechanism for significant pnvate sector activ ities that enhance capacity building for env ironmental protection • The GAC recommends that recognition programs would not only be implemented in Mexico, consistent with the Puebla pillars, but would also be earned out on a North American scale. • The GAC recommends that EPA explore the possibility of creating a trilateral recognition program that could be spearheaded by the Council. • The GAC presumes that a fundamental tenet for such a successful program would be that all proposed recognition/awards would be contingent on unanimous concurrence b> the Parties in advance of the Council Session • The GAC also recommends that EPA evaluate its own domestic and international recognition programs such as EPA's Green Suppliers Network (GSN1)- Performance Track, and the Energy Star, programs as potentiallv read) mechanisms for recognition of private sector efforts aligned with the Puebla pillars Close coordination with relevant EPA program offices, and with the other Parties, would be essential for success of such concepts. ------- CEC and L.S. Government Corking Relationship—The GAG sirongl> recommend* thai the CLC Secretariat and I S Government maintain a close working relationship on existing and proposed initiatives penammg to the objective of "greening the supph chain " The GAC is of the opinion thai • coordination with the Secretariat staff on their current private sector initialises could help the U S and the other Panics produce a more cohesive and lasting legacv of pn\ate sector involvement for env ironmental benefit: and • the CEC seems to be moving in the right direction b> using components of EPA's (GSN) program • Consequently, the GAC recommends strengthening CEC'EPA coordination along these lines. The GSN and the Performance Track programs seem to be excellent programs highlighting "greening the supply chain*' of large multinationals and providing recognition and rewards to participants. • Overall, the United States, as the head of the Council, needs to ensure that all activities related to private sector involvement are coordinated and moving in the same direction - especially aligning the work Project *8 titled "Partnerships for Integrated Environmental Management" which allocates C$425,000 for partnerships on greening the supph chain and innovative market-based models for capacity building in Mexico ------- Govemmemal Ad\isor> Committee (GAC) to the U S Representati\e to the Commission for Environmenial Cooperation (CEC) Ad* ice 200S-6: CEC Budget Reform Full Financial Disclosure—The GAC supports the L'.S Government's efforts to institutionalize full financial disclosure of all Secretariat expenses. Financial transparent is fundamental for evaluation and identification of optimal budgetary allocations to support the continuing vsork of the CEC For a wide \anet) of reasons. \\e consider transparenffinancial reporting and budgetary accountability to be vital for success of the CLC Tabulated Matrix—The GAC recommends that future budgetarv, information should include a tabulated matrix of program area allocations/expenses for the planned upcoming years and for receni past >ears • This would facilitate examination of funding shifts and trends among programs, as activities and priorities change over time. • The unique nature of the CEC's Mexico liaison office should also be clarified b> describing the office's activities as they relate to the CEC's programmatic funding Performance Measures—The GAC recommends incorporating performance measures in the CEC budget and work plan in order to assess and clearl) demonstrate the effective use of the Parties' financial resources. LNEP Format—Overall, the GAC supports using the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) budget reporting template that was provided to the GAC as a possible model for use with the CEC ------- Gcnemmenlal Ad\isor> Committee (GAC) to the L S. Representative to the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) Athice 2005-7; CEC Publications Sufficient Guidance—The GAG supports the U.S. Government's attempt to streamline and create accountabilii> in the CEC publications procedure. However, the committee believes there is enough guidance in the NAAEC for processing the \anet> of documents/reports produced b> the Secretariat, such as the Article 13 reports, the Annual Report, and Program Plan and Budget • Enhanced Coordination—The GAC recommends closer coordination between the L S Government, as a member of the CEC Council, and the Secretariat to prevent the development and issuance of misguided, inaccurate or ineffective reports • The GAC believes that the essence of the "publications issue" mav ha\e emerged from the verv broad scope of topics and subject areas found in the CEC's uorkplan and past portfolio of activities. • Resolving workplan issues (i.e. defining and prioritizing future activities in the CEC's \\orkplan) may correct most of the Parties" concerns about publications • For this reason, the GAC believes the proposed U.S publication procedures mav be overl) prescriptive and may not address the root problem. Intragency Communications —The GAC recommends implementation of very strong internal communications protocols among all U.S. government personnel (hat are actively engaged with the Secretariat on mjriad issues Early Involvement—The GAC believes that early detection and attention from the Council is the best >*a> (o prevent misunderstandings prior to the development or release of CEC reports. Chain of Command and Recognition—The GAC supports ensuring a clear chain of command emanating from the Council and flowing to the Secretariat for advance definition of the Secretariat's overall activities and scope • The GAC believes that, once direction has been prov ided. it is important that a degree of independence be preserved for the Secretariat's performance of the prescribed duties and functions. • In nurturing mutually beneficial relationships among the Parties and the Secretariat, the GAC believes that it is important that the Council provide recognition to the Secretariat for positive performance whenever appropriate • Overall, the GAC believes that the issuance of objective, high qualirv publications can be a useful measure of Secretariat performance but is only possible with strengthened working relationships and clarity of purpose and roles ------- Governmental Advisor) Committee (GAC) to the U.S. Representative to the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) Advice 2005-8: CEC Working Croups Current Working Groups—The G-\C recommends keeping working groups that were created b> a Council Resolution or that arc necessitated b> a provision of the trilateral agreement "Sunset" Provision—The GAC recommends the establishment of a "sunset' pro\ ision for all other ad hoc groups, task forces or working groups Mission Statement/Targe! Dale—The GAC recommends that any proposed working groups be given a clearly expressed mission statement or goal with a target date for completion of its mission or attainment of its goal. • The GAC recommends a provision for renewal contingent upon the Council's concurrence to avoid conflict with a sunset pro\ ision • The GAC believes that such provisions will help foster accountability and maintenance of mission-onented focus by all CEC working groups Puebla Pillars and Corresponding Working Groups—The GAC questions the value or need for working groups to address the topics of Information for Decision-making and Capacity-Building. Information and capacitv -building are elements of most projects and. as such, should be incorporated into the activities of most working groups • The GAC considers maintenance of the 10(6) Trade and Env ironment Working Group to be vital because this topic is at the core of the NAAEC and there is a unique contribution to the bodv of know ledge that emerges from this CEC focus ------- |