[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 161 (Thursday, August 20, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44605-44606]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-22452]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Notice of Request for Nominations for the Task Force on
Agricultural Air Quality
SUMMARY: The Secretary of Agriculture is requesting nominations for
qualified persons to serve as members of the Task Force on Agricultural
Air Quality.
DATE: Nominations must be received in writing or reaffirmed (see
[[Page 44606]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section) by October 2, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Send written nominations to: Chief, USDA/Natural Resources
Conservation Service, P.O. Box 2890, Washington, D.C. 20013.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
George Bluhm, Designated Federal Official, telephone (530) 752-1018,
fax (530) 752-1552, email bluhm@crocker.ucdavis.edu. To obtain form AD-
755 ONLY contact Jeff Graham, NRCS Agricultural Climatologist via phone
at (202) 720-1858 or email at jeff.graham@usda.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Task Force Purpose
As required by Section 391 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement
and Reform Act of 1996, the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS) shall establish a task force to review research results
by any Federal agency that addresses air quality issues related to
agriculture or agriculture infrastructure. Recommendations from the
Task Force will be provided to the Secretary of Agriculture for
guidance on air quality policy implementations. The requirements of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) apply to this Task Force.
The Task Force will:
1. Review research on agricultural air quality supported by Federal
agencies;
2. Base recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture upon sound
scientific findings after adequate peer review and taking into account
economic feasibility;
3. Work to ensure intergovernmental (Federal, state and local)
coordination to establish policy for agriculture air quality and to
avoid duplication; and
4. To the extent practical, assist Federal agencies correct their
erroneous data with respect to agriculture air quality.
Task Force Membership
The Task Force will be made up of United States citizens. The Task
Force will be composed of:
1. Individuals with expertise in agricultural air quality and/or
agricultural production;
2. Individuals representing regional air quality concerns;
3. Representatives of institutions with expertise in air quality
impacts on human health;
4. Five representatives from commodity groups having expertise in
production agriculture;
5. Six representatives from state or local agencies having
expertise in agriculture and air quality; and
6. An atmospheric scientist.
Task Force nominations must be in writing and provide the
appropriate background documents required by USDA policy, including
form AD-755. Previous nominees and current Task Force members who wish
to be reappointed should update their nominations and must provide a
new background disclosure form (AD-755) to reaffirm their candidacy.
Service as a member of the Task Force shall not constitute employment
by, or the holding of an office of, the United States for the purpose
of any Federal law.
A Task Force member shall serve for a term of 2 years. No
individual may serve more than 2 consecutive 2-year terms as a member
of the Task Force. A member of the Task Force shall receive no
compensation from the NRCS for their service as a member of the Task
Force except as described below.
While away from home or regular place of business of a member of
the Task Force, the member will be eligible for travel expenses paid by
the NRCS, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at the same rate
as a person employed intermittently in the government service is
allowed under section 5703 of title 5, United States code.
Additional information about the Task Force on Agricultural Air
Quality may be found on the World Wide Web at http://
www.nhq.nrcs.usda.gov/faca/aaqtf.html.
Submitting Nominations
Nominations should be typed and should include the following:
1. A brief summary of no more than two pages explaining the
nominee's suitability to serve on the Task Force on Agricultural Air
Quality.
2. Resume.
3. A completed copy of form AD-755.
Nominations should be sent to the Chief of NRCS at the address
listed above, and be post marked no later than October 2, 1998.
Equal Opportunity Statement
To ensure that recommendations of the Task Force take into account
the needs of underserved and diverse communities served by the
Department, membership shall include, to the extent practicable,
individuals representing minorities, women and persons with
disabilities.
Dated: August 14, 1998.
Thomas A. Weber,
Deputy Chief for Science and Technology.
[FR Doc. 98-22452 Filed 8-19-98; 8:45 am]
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