Document BjwKow92oLyr04rpVJogaBXw

Susana Martinez Governor August 2, 2017 DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE STATE OF NEW MEXICO MSC 3189, Box 30005 Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003-8005 Telephone (575) 646-3007 Jeff M. Witte Secretary M. Frances Eargle, LGAC Designated Federal Officer, Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations (OCIR), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW (MC1301A), Washington, DC 20460 Dear Ms. Eargle: Please accept this letter of interest for consideration for reappointment to the Local Government Advisory Committee (LGAC) of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The LGAC serves an important role in providing EPA advice and recommendations to develop stronger partnerships with local governments. I feel including the agriculture and rural community perspective on the LGAC has provided invaluable insight to the agency. I have served as Secretary of Agriculture in New Mexico for over six years. Prior to that, I served as assistant director and director of agriculture biosecurity and have been with the agency for nearly twenty-one years. During this time, I have worked collaboratively with many local, state, tribal and federal agencies, including the EPA to enhance, protect and defend our nation's food supply, while also enhancing and protecting our environment. Multiagency collaborations along with involvement from private sector stakeholders and other nongovernmental organizations are key to effective outcomes, which help our communities and land base. I have been involved in emergency planning and exercising activities which brought together responders who were responsible for food and agriculture incident management in all sectors. These events included agencies and industry from many states, including the six states from Mexico which border the United States. I serve on the executive board of The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA). This also provides a unique opportunity to bring the perspectives of other agriculture departments to the points of discussion. The opportunity to share and collaborate with other agriculture leaders and bring their input into the LGAC will also provide a much broader representation than mine alone. Agriculture is an industry that has a profound impact on every community across our nation. The policies discussed by the LGAC may also have an impact on this industry which may impact their effective contributions to these communities. Having the opportunity to share that with the LGAC at the appropriate opportunities will also aid in developing effective policies. Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 3/4 ED 002061 00065591-00001 Ms. Frances Eargle Page 2 August 2, 2017 If selected for membership on this committee, I will devote the necessary time and energy to be a valuable contributor. This includes dedicating the time to attend in person committee meetings held each year and the teleconferences. Please contact me if I can provide additional information. Sincerely, JeffM. Witte Sierra Club v. EPA 18cv3472 NDCA Tier 3/4 ED 002061 00065591-00002