[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
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
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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.
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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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