[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 83 (Thursday, April 29, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 23494]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-9744]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Agricultural Air Quality Task Force

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of request for nominations for the Agricultural Air 
Quality Task Force.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary of Agriculture intends to reestablish the 
Agricultural Air Quality Task Force (AAQTF), and requests nominations 
for qualified persons to serve as members.

DATES: Nominations must be received in writing (see SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION section) by June 14, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Send written nominations to: Elvis Graves, Acting Designated 
Federal Official, USDA/Natural Resources Conservation Service, Post 
Office Box 2890, Room 6158-S, Washington, DC 20013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions or comments should be 
directed to Elvis Graves, Acting Designated Federal Official; 
telephone: (202) 720-3905; fax: (202) 720-2646; e-mail: 
[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 address agricultural air 
quality issues. The task force will provide recommendations to the 
Secretary of Agriculture on development and implementation of air 
quality policy, and on air quality research needs. The requirements of 
the Federal Advisory Committee Act apply to this task force.
    The task force will:
    1. Review research on agricultural air quality supported by Federal 
agencies;
    2. Provide recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture 
regarding:

     Air quality and its relation to agriculture 
based upon sound scientific findings;
     Working to ensure inter-governmental (Federal, 
State and local) coordination in establishing policy for agricultural 
air quality and avoiding duplication of efforts;
     Assisting, to the extent possible, Federal 
agencies in correcting erroneous data with respect to agricultural air 
quality; and
     Working to ensure that air quality research, 
related to agriculture, receives adequate peer review and considers 
economic feasibility.

Task Force Membership

    The task force will be made up of United States citizens and be 
composed of:
    1. Individuals with expertise in agricultural air quality and/or 
agricultural production;
    2. Representatives of institutions with expertise in the impacts of 
air quality on human health;
    3. Representatives from agriculture interest groups having 
expertise in production agriculture;
    4. Representatives from state or local agencies having expertise in 
agriculture and air quality; and
    5. An atmospheric scientist.

    Task force nominations must be in writing, and provide the 
appropriate background documents required by the Department of 
Agriculture (USDA) policy, including Form AD-755. Previous nominees and 
current task force members who wish to be reappointed must update their 
candidacy. Service as a task force member 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. Task force 
members shall receive no compensation from NRCS for their service as 
task force members except as described below.
    While away from home or regular place of business as a member of 
the task force, the member will be eligible for travel expenses paid by 
NRCS, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at the same rate as a 
person employed intermittently in the government service, under section 
5703 of title 5, United States Code.
    Additional information about the AAQTF may be found on the World 
Wide Web at http://aaqtf.tamu.edu.

Submitting Nominations

    Nominations should be typed and include the following:
    1. A brief summary, of no more than two pages, explaining the 
nominee's qualifications to serve on the AAQTF;
    2. Resume;
    3. A completed copy of form AD-755;
    4. Any recent publications relative to air quality; and
    5. Any letters of endorsement.
    Nominations should be sent to Elvis Graves, at the address listed 
above and postmarked no later than June 14, 2004.

Equal Opportunity Statement

    To ensure that recommendations of the task force take into account 
the needs of under served and diverse communities served by USDA, 
membership shall include, to the extent practicable, individuals 
representing minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on April 19, 2004.
Bruce I. Knight,
Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 04-9744 Filed 4-28-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P