RE: Introduction

[Tim Sherer <sherer.tim@epa.gov>]

There was a question concerning federal advisory committees, if participants in this dialogue would be considered Tier 3 advisors.  The answer is no.  All members of EPA federal advisory committees are offered membership by the EPA Deputy Administrator.  The situation were "individuals" provide advice to EPA does not fall under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, and therefore these individuals are not a part of a EPA federal advisory committee.

Funding for advisory committees comes from the Office of the Administrator and the various program offices, on an ad hoc basis.  Therefore, total funding for all advisory committees goes up and down, depending on that years need for advisory committees. There is no one central pot of money for advisory committees, although we track all the committees costs.

Thanks for the comments and questions!