[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 30 (Wednesday, February 13, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10127-10128]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-03247]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 30 / Wednesday, February 13, 2013 / 
Notices  

[[Page 10127]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Natural Resources Conservation Service


Request for Nominations to the Agricultural Air Quality Task 
Force

AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States 
Department of Agriculture.

ACTION: Notice of Request for Nominations to the Agricultural Air 
Quality Task Force.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Secretary of Agriculture invites nominations of qualified 
candidates to be considered for a 2-year term on the Agricultural Air 
Quality Task Force (AAQTF) which was established by the Federal 
Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act of 1996 to provide 
recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture on agricultural air 
quality issues. This notice solicits nominations for membership on the 
AAQTF.

DATES: Effective Date: This is effective February 13, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Nominations should be postmarked no later than April 1, 2013 
to: Greg Johnson, Designated Federal Official, Department of 
Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 1201 Lloyd 
Boulevard, Suite 1000, Portland, Oregon 97232, or by email at 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Johnson, Designated Federal 
Official, Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation 
Service, 1201 Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1000, Portland, Oregon 97232; 
telephone: (503) 273-2424; fax: (503) 273-2401; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

AAQTF Purpose

    Section 391 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act 
of 1996, Public Law 104-127, 7 U.S.C. 5405, requires the Chief of the 
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) to establish a task force 
to address air agricultural quality issues. The task force advises the 
Secretary of Agriculture on the role of the Secretary for providing 
oversight and coordination related to agricultural air quality. The 
requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App.2., 
apply to this task force.
    The task force will:
    1. Strengthen vital research efforts related to agricultural air 
quality;
    2. Determine the extent to which agricultural activities contribute 
to air pollution;
    3. Determine cost-effective ways in which the agricultural industry 
can improve air quality;
    4. Coordinate and ensure intergovernmental cooperation on research 
activities related to agricultural air quality issues to avoid 
duplication and ensure data quality and sound interpretation of data; 
and
    5. Advise the Secretary of Agriculture on the role of the Secretary 
for providing oversight and coordination related to agricultural air 
quality.

AAQTF Membership

    The task force expects to meet 2-3 times each year, with meetings 
held at various locations across the United States. A task force member 
will serve for a term of 2 years, starting with the date of charter 
establishment for this task force. The Chief of NRCS serves as Chair of 
the task force. The task force is composed of United States citizens 
representing a broad spectrum of individuals with interest in 
agricultural air quality issues. This includes, but is not limited to, 
representatives from the agricultural production/processing sector, as 
well as those from academia, agribusiness, regulatory organizations, 
environmental organizations, and local or state agencies.
    Nominees to the AAQTF will be evaluated on a number of criteria, 
including expertise in or experience with agricultural air quality 
research, agricultural production, and air quality environmental or 
regulatory issues.
    Serving as a task force member will not constitute employment by, 
or the holding of, an office of the United States for the purpose of 
any Federal law. Persons selected for membership on the task force will 
not receive compensation from NRCS for their service as task force 
members except that while away from home or regular place of business, 
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, U.S.C.
    Additional information about the AAQTF may be found on the World 
Wide Web at http://www.airquality.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/air/taskforce/.

Member Nominations

    Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified 
individuals for membership. Interested candidates may nominate 
themselves. Previous nominees and task force members who wish to be 
considered for membership on the task force must submit a new 
nomination with updated information, including a new background 
disclosure form (Form AD-755).
    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 and addressing the 
criteria described above;
    2. Resume, which provides the nominee's background, experience, and 
educational qualifications;
    3. A completed background disclosure form (Form AD-755) signed by 
the nominee (http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/ad755.pdf);
    4. Any recent publications by the nominee relative to air quality 
(if appropriate); and
    5. Up to two letters of endorsement (optional).
    Send written nominations to: Greg Johnson, Designated Federal 
Official, Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation 
Service, 1201 Lloyd Boulevard, Suite 1000, Portland, Oregon 97232; 
email to [email protected]. The Designated Federal Official 
will acknowledge receipt of nominations.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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

[[Page 10128]]

discrimination in all of its programs and activities on the basis of 
race, sex, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, sexual 
orientation, or disability. Additionally, discrimination on the basis 
of political beliefs and marital status or family status is also 
prohibited by statutes enforced by USDA (not all prohibited bases apply 
to all programs). Persons with disabilities who require alternate means 
for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audio 
tape, etc.) should contact USDA's Target Center at (202) 720-2600 
(voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

    Signed this 31 day of January 2013, in Washington, DC.
Jason A. Weller,
Acting Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-03247 Filed 2-12-13; 8:45 am]
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