[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 [email protected]. To obtain form AD-
755 ONLY contact Jeff Graham, NRCS Agricultural Climatologist via phone 
at (202) 720-1858 or email at [email protected].

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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