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National Drinking
Water Advisory Council Charter
PURPOSE
This charter is reissued for the National Drinking Water Advisory Council
in Accordance with the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee
Act, 5 U.S.C. App II §9(c).
AUTHORITY
The Council was created on December 16, 1974, under the Safe Drinking
Water Act of 1974, PL 93-523, 42 U.S.C. 300j-5 and the charter was renewed
on December 23, 1976; December 1, 1978; November 7, 1980; November 29,
1982; December 7, 1984; December 15, 1986; November 22, 1988; and December
13, 1990; December 16, 1992; and December 16, 1994.
OBJECTIVE & SCOPE OF AUTHORITY
The Council advises, consults with, and makes recommendations on a continuing
basis to, the Administrator, through the Assistant Administrator for Water,
on matters related to the activities, function, and policies of the Agency
under the Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended.
FUNCTIONS
The Council provides practical and independent advice to the Agency on
matters and policies related to drinking water quality and hygiene, and
maintains an awareness of developing issues and problems in the drinking
water area and advises the Agency on emerging issues. It reviews and advises
the Administrator on regulations and guidance that are required by the
Safe Drinking Water Act; makes recommendations concerning necessary special
studies and research; recommends policies with respect to the promulgation
of drinking water standards; assists in identifying emerging environmental
or health problems related to potentially hazardous constitutents in drinking
water; and proposes actions to encourage cooperation and communication
between the Agency and other governmental agencies, interested groups,
the general public, and technical associations and organization on drinking
water quality.
COMPOSITION AND MEETINGS
The Council consists of fifteen members including a Chairperson, appointed
by the Deputy Administrator after consultation with the Secretary, Department
of Health and Human Services. Five members shall be appointed from the
general public, five members shall be appointed from appropriate State
and local agencies concerned with water hygiene and public water supply;
and five members shall be appointed from representatives of private organizations
or groups demonstrating an active interest in the field of water hygiene
and public water supply, of which two such members shall be associated
with small rural public water systems. Most members will be appointed
as Special Government Employees. Except as provided in §1446 of the
Safe Drinking Water Act, each member of the Council will hold office for
a term of three years and will be eligible for reappointment. The Council
is authorized to form subcommittees and working groups for any purpose
consistent with this charter to consider specific matter and report back
to the full Council. The Council may disband any subcommittee or working
group that no longer serves a purpose under this Charter. Subcommittee
membership will consist entirely of Council members; however, working
groups can consist of persons other than Council members. The subcommittees
and working groups will operate under the direction of the Council.
Meetings will be held as necessary and convened by the Director, Office
of Ground Water and Drinking Water. A full-time salaried officer or employee
of EPA will be assigned as the Designated Federal Officer. Each meeting
will be conducted in accordance with an agenda approved in advance of
the meeting by the designated Agency officer. The Designated Federal Officer
will be present at all meetings and is authorized to adjourn any meeting
whenever it is determined to be in the public interest. The estimated
annual operating cost of the Council is approximately $140,000, which
includes 2 work years of staff support. The Office of Water will provide
the necessary staff and support for the Council.
DURATION
As provided in the Safe Drinking Water Act, "Section 14(a) of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act (relating to termination) shall not apply to the
Council." However, the Charter is subject to the renewal process upon
the expiration of each successive two-year period following the date of
enactment of the Act establishing this Council.
SUPERSESSION
The former National Drinking Water Advisory Council charter on December
16, 1994, is hereby superseded.
Dated
December 5, 1996
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