http://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2011/06/14/2011-14919/establishment-of-the-white-house-rural-council
 

Executive Order 13575 of June 9, 2011

 

Establishment of the White House Rural Council

 

By the authority vested in me as President by the

Constitution and the laws of the United States of

America and in order to enhance Federal engagement with

rural communities, it is hereby ordered as follows:

 

Section 1. Policy. Sixteen percent of the American

population lives in rural counties. Strong, sustainable

rural communities are essential to winning the future

and ensuring American competitiveness in the years

ahead. These communities supply our food, fiber, and

energy, safeguard our natural resources, and are

essential in the development of science and innovation.

Though rural communities face numerous challenges, they

also present enormous economic potential. The Federal

Government has an important role to play in order to

expand access to the capital necessary for economic

growth, promote innovation, improve access to health

care and education, and expand outdoor recreational

activities on public lands.

 

To enhance the Federal Government's efforts to address

the needs of rural America, this order establishes a

council to better coordinate Federal programs and

maximize the impact of Federal investment to promote

economic prosperity and quality of life in our rural

communities.

 

Sec. 2. Establishment. There is established a White

House Rural Council (Council).

 

Sec. 3. Membership. (a) The Secretary of Agriculture

shall serve as the Chair of the Council, which shall

also include the heads of the following executive

branch departments, agencies, and offices:

 

(1) the Department of the Treasury;

 

(2) the Department of Defense;

 

(3) the Department of Justice;

 

(4) the Department of the Interior;

 

(5) the Department of Commerce;

 

(6) the Department of Labor;

 

(7) the Department of Health and Human Services;

 

(8) the Department of Housing and Urban Development;

 

(9) the Department of Transportation;

 

(10) the Department of Energy;

 

(11) the Department of Education;

 

(12) the Department of Veterans Affairs;

 

(13) the Department of Homeland Security;

 

(14) the Environmental Protection Agency;

 

(15) the Federal Communications Commission;

 

(16) the Office of Management and Budget;

 

(17) the Office of Science and Technology Policy;

 

(18) the Office of National Drug Control Policy;

 

(19) the Council of Economic Advisers;

 

(20) the Domestic Policy Council;

 

(21) the National Economic Council;

 

(22) the Small Business Administration;

 

(23) the Council on Environmental Quality;

 

(24) the White House Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental

Affairs;

 

(25) the White House Office of Cabinet Affairs; and such other executive

branch departments, agencies, and offices as the President or the Secretary

of Agriculture may, from time to time, designate.

 

(b) A member of the Council may designate, to

perform the Council functions of the member, a senior-

level official who is part of the member's department,

agency, or office, and who is a full-time officer or

employee of the Federal Government.

(c) The Department of Agriculture shall provide

funding and administrative support for the Council to

the extent permitted by law and within existing

appropriations.

(d) The Council shall coordinate its policy

development through the Domestic Policy Council and the

National Economic Council.

 

Sec. 4. Mission and Function of the Council. The

Council shall work across executive departments,

agencies, and offices to coordinate development of

policy recommendations to promote economic prosperity

and quality of life in rural America, and shall

coordinate my Administration's engagement with rural

communities. The Council shall:

 

(a) make recommendations to the President, through

the Director of the Domestic Policy Council and the

Director of the National Economic Council, on

streamlining and leveraging Federal investments in

rural areas, where appropriate, to increase the impact

of Federal dollars and create economic opportunities to

improve the quality of life in rural America;

(b) coordinate and increase the effectiveness of

Federal engagement with rural stakeholders, including

agricultural organizations, small businesses, education

and training institutions, health-care providers,

telecommunications services providers, research and

land grant institutions, law enforcement, State, local,

and tribal governments, and nongovernmental

organizations regarding the needs of rural America;

(c) coordinate Federal efforts directed toward the

growth and development of geographic regions that

encompass both urban and rural areas; and

(d) identify and facilitate rural economic

opportunities associated with energy development,

outdoor recreation, and other conservation related

activities.

 

Sec. 5. General Provisions. (a) The heads of executive

departments and agencies shall assist and provide

information to the Council, consistent with applicable

law, as may be necessary to carry out the functions of

the Council. Each executive department and agency shall

bear its own expense for participating in the Council.

 

(b) Nothing in this order shall be construed to

impair or otherwise affect:

 

(i) authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the

head thereof; or

 

(ii) functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget

relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

 

(c) This order shall be implemented consistent with

applicable law and subject to the availability of

appropriations.

 

(d) This order is not intended to, and does not,

create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural,

enforceable at law or in equity by any party against

the United States, its departments, agencies, or

entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any

other person.

 

 

(Presidential Sig.)

 

THE WHITE HOUSE,

 

June 9, 2011.