[Federal Register: April 6, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 66)]
[Notices]
[Page 17437-17438]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06ap06-37]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Notice of Request for Nominations for the Agricultural Air
Quality Task Force
AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, Agriculture.
ACTION: Notice of Request for Nominations.
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SUMMARY: The Secretary of Agriculture intends to renew the Agricultural
Air Quality Task Force and requests nominations for qualified persons
to serve as members.
DATES: Nominations must be received in writing (see SUPPLEMENTARY
INFORMATION section) by May 19, 2006.
ADDRESSES: Send written nominations to: Chief, USDA/Natural Resources
Conservation Service, Post Office Box 2890, Washington DC 20013-2890.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Diane Gelburd, Designated Federal
Official, USDA/Natural Resources Conservation Service, telephone: (202)
720-2587, fax: (202) 720-2646, e-mail: Diane.Gelburd@wdc.usda.gov.
[[Page 17438]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
AAQTF 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 committee to address agricultural air
quality issues. The Agricultural Air Quality Task Force (AAQTF) shall
advise the Secretary of Agriculture, with respect to the role of the
Secretary, for providing oversight and coordination related to
agricultural air quality. The requirements of the Federal Advisory
Committee Act (FACA) apply to AAQTF.
AAQTF will advise the Secretary of Agriculture on:
1. Research efforts related to agricultural air quality;
2. The extent to which agricultural activities contribute to air
pollution;
3. Cost-effective ways in which the agricultural industry can
improve air quality;
4. Coordination of research on agricultural air quality issues to
avoid duplication and to ensure data quality and sound interpretation
of data; and
5. The respect to the role of the Secretary for providing oversight
and coordination related to agricultural air quality.
AAQTF Membership
AAQTF will be made up of United States citizens and be composed of:
1. Individuals with scientific knowledge of agricultural air
quality issues. Candidates in this category will be considered based
upon their published research and editorial record, having provided
testimony to congressional bodies, directing research efforts, receipt
of national professional awards, and other applicable special
experience or abilities. At least one atmospheric scientist will
specifically be selected from this category of applicant.
2. Experts in the production of food and fiber. Candidates in this
category will be considered based upon their practical experience in
farming/ranching, participation in professional associations, service
as an elected official, service on other agricultural action
committees, having provided expert testimony to congressional bodies,
and other applicable special experience or abilities.
3. Representatives from agricultural interest groups and industry.
Candidates in this category will be considered based upon their
professional industry standing, academic training, owning a producing
farm/ranch, service on industry-wide committees, relevant publications/
speeches, and other applicable special experience or abilities.
4. Representatives of other interests, including human health,
environmental advocacy, and air quality regulators. Candidates in this
category will be considered based upon their academic training, air-
quality or agriculturally-related professional service, knowledge of
farm/ranch operations, professional memberships, air-quality or
agriculturally-related publications/speeches, and other applicable
special experience or abilities.
AAQTF nominations must be in writing and must provide the
appropriate background documents required by the Department of
Agriculture (USDA) policy, including Form AD-755 (which is available
online at the URL listed below). Previous nominees and current AAQTF
members who wish to be reappointed must completely update their
nominations, including all supporting materials, and provide a new
background disclosure form (AD-755) to reaffirm their candidacy.
Service as an AAQTF member shall not constitute employment by, or the
holding of an office of, the United States for the purpose of any
Federal law.
An AAQTF member shall serve for a term of 2 years. AAQTF members
shall receive no compensation from NRCS for their service as AAQTF
members, except as described below.
While away from home or regular place of business as a member of
the AAQTF, 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, as well as Form AD-755, may
be found online at http://www.airquality.nrcs.usda.gov/AAQTF/.
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 qualifications to serve on the AAQTF.
2. Resume, including publication list. Please do not send actual
publications.
3. A completed copy of Form AD-755.
4. Letters of support.
Nominations should be sent to the Chief of NRCS at the address
listed above and postmarked no later than May 19, 2006.
Equal Opportunity Statement
To ensure that recommendations of AAQTF take unto account the needs
of underserved 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 March 28, 2006.
Bruce I. Knight,
Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
[FR Doc. E6-4895 Filed 4-5-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P