Newhouse applauds local appointment to EPA Rural Communities advisory board

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 17, Rep. Newhouse (R-WA) released the following

statement after Michael Crowder, President-elect of the National

Association of Conservation Districts and General Manager of Barker

Ranch in West Richland, was appointed to the Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA) Farm, Ranch, and Rural Communities

Committee<https://www.epa.gov/faca/frrcc> (FRRCC):

“Decisions from EPA have significant impacts on the rural communities

and agriculture industry of Central Washington,” said Rep. Newhouse.

“Michael Crowder has a unique and extensive understanding of how

farmers, ranchers, and other conservationists in our district have

been making strides for clean air and water, effective land use, and

an overall healthier environment. I am proud he will be representing

the voices of Central Washington, and I applaud Administrator Wheeler

for reinvigorating this important Committee for rural areas across our

country.”

Michael Crowder was recommended by Rep. Newhouse to serve on the

FRRCC. Established in 2008, the FRRCC provides independent policy

advice, information, and recommendations to the EPA administrator on a

range of environmental issues and policies that are of importance to

agriculture and rural communities.

"The EPA makes important decisions and regulations to protect our

natural resources, and - as the original conservationists - farmers,

ranchers, and rural communities deserve a seat at the table,” said

Michael Crowder. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve on this

Committee, and I look forward to working with Administrator Wheeler

and the other Committee members to ensure that Washington's

communities are well-represented."

“One of my priorities for EPA has been to restore trust for our agency

among agricultural stakeholders and rural communities,” said EPA

Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “President Trump has been clear about

the Administration’s commitment to agriculture and rural America, and

as part of that commitment, I am excited to reinstate the Farm, Ranch,

and Rural Communities Committee in 2020 with full membership. This

committee will provide valuable input on how EPA’s decisions impact

rural America, and I look forward to receiving the committee’s

recommendations.”

Background:

To build a broad and balanced representation of perspectives for the

FRRCC, EPA selected 33 members to represent a variety of relevant

sectors from across the U.S., including agricultural stakeholders and

allied industries; academia; state, local, and tribal government; and

nongovernmental organizations. In selecting committee members, EPA

reviewed the quality of applications received between November 7 and

December 31, 2019 for nearly 150 nominations, and considered

qualifications such as: whether candidates have experience in

agricultural issues of relevance to EPA programs, are actively engaged

in agricultural production, have related leadership experience,

demonstrated ability to examine and analyze complex environmental

issues with objectivity and integrity, have experience working on

issues where building consensus is necessary, and are able to

volunteer time to the committee’s activities.

The committee had no current members at the time of solicitation;

therefore, these 33 nominees will constitute a brand new committee,

and will each serve two or three year terms beginning on June 15,

2020. The new members of the FRRCC hail from twenty-four states and

one territory in all ten U.S. EPA Regions, with six of the Members

working in multiple states or at a national capacity. The Committee

expects to meet approximately twice a year beginning in late Summer of

2020.