98-22452. Notice of Request for Nominations for the Task Force on Agricultural Air Quality  

  • [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]
    BILLING CODE 3014-16-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
08/20/1998
Department:
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Entry Type:
Notice
Document Number:
98-22452
Dates:
Nominations must be received in writing or reaffirmed (see SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section) by October 2, 1998.
Pages:
44605-44606 (2 pages)
PDF File:
98-22452.pdf