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USDA-Agricultural Air Quality Task Force
Legislation
Authorizing the Creation of the Task Force
of Agricultural Air Quality
(a) Findings.
--Congress finds that--
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Various studies have
alleged that agriculture is a source of
PM-10 emissions;
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Many of these studies
have often been based on erroneous data;
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Federal research activities are
currently being conducted by the
Department of Agriculture to determine
the true extent to which agricultural
activities contribute to air pollution
and to determine cost-effective ways in
which the agricultural industry can
reduce any pollution that exists; and
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Any Federal policy
recommendations that may be issued by
any Federal agency to address air
pollution problems related to
agriculture or any other industrial
activity should be based on sound
scientific findings that are subject to
adequate peer review and should take
into account economic feasibility.
(b) Purpose. The
purpose of this section is to encourage the
Secretary of Agriculture to continue to
strengthen vital research efforts related to
agricultural air quality.
(c) Oversight
Coordination.
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Intergovernmental
cooperation. The Secretary shall, to the
maximum extent practicable with respect
to the Department of Agriculture and
other Federal departments and agencies,
ensure intergovernmental cooperation in
research activities related to
agricultural air quality and avoid
duplication of the activities.
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Correct data. The
Secretary shall, to the maximum extent
practicable, ensure that the results of
any research related to agricultural air
quality conducted by Federal agencies
not report erroneous data with respect
to agricultural air quality.
(d) Task Force.
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Establishment. The
Chief of the Natural Resources
Conservation Service shall establish a
task force to address agricultural air
quality issues.
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Composition. The task
force shall be comprised of employees of
the Department of Agriculture, industry
representatives, and other experts in
the fields of agriculture and air
quality.
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Duties. The task
force shall advise the Secretary with
respect to the role of the Secretary for
providing oversight and coordination
related to agricultural air quality.
Explanatory Remarks of
the House-Senate Conference Committee
(67) Advisory Board on
Agricultural Air Quality
The Senate amendment
establishes a board to advise the Secretary
of Agriculture on scientific questions
relating to airborne particulate matter and
gases that may be issues under the Clean Air
Act. The board would be comprised of 17
members, including the Chief of the Natural
Resources Conservation Service, agricultural
producers, other representatives of the 6
NRCS regions, and an atmospheric scientist.
The House bill
contains no comparable provision.
The Conference
substitute adopts the Senate provisions with
amendments clarifying that interagency
oversight coordination required by the
Secretary shall be made to the extent
practicable.
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The Natural Resources Conservation Service provides leadership
in a partnership effort to help people conserve, maintain, and improve our natural
resources and environment.
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