Notice2023-04703
Request for Nominations to the Task Force on Agricultural Air Quality Research
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
March 8, 2023
Issuing agencies
Agriculture DepartmentNatural Resources Conservation Service
Abstract
The Secretary of Agriculture invites nominations of qualified candidates to be considered for a 2-year term on the Task Force on Agricultural Air Quality Research, typically referred to as the Agricultural Air Quality Task Force (AAQTF), 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 to AAQTF.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 45 (Wednesday, March 8, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 8, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14327-14328]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-04703]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Request for Nominations to the Task Force on Agricultural Air
Quality Research
AGENCY: Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of request for nominations to the Task Force on
Agricultural Air Quality Research.
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SUMMARY: The Secretary of Agriculture invites nominations of qualified
candidates to be considered for a 2-year term on the Task Force on
Agricultural Air Quality Research, typically referred to as the
Agricultural Air Quality Task Force (AAQTF), 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 to
AAQTF.
DATES: Nominations due: We will consider nominations that are
postmarked by May 8, 2023.
ADDRESSES: Submit nominations to Greg Zwicke, Designated Federal
Officer, Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation
Service, West National Technology Support Center, 2150 Centre Avenue,
Building A, Suite 314B, Fort Collins, CO 80526; or send by email to:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#94d3e6f1f3bacee3fdf7fff1d4e1e7f0f5baf3fbe2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2b6c594e4c05715c4248404e6b5e584f4a054c445d">[email protected]</span></a>.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Zwicke; telephone: (970) 295-
5621; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#20675245470e7a5749434b4560555344410e474f56"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bbfcc9dedc95e1ccd2d8d0defbcec8dfda95dcd4cd">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
AAQTF Purpose
Section 391 of the Federal Agriculture Improvement and Reform Act
of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-127, 7 U.S.C. 5405) requires the Chief of the
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to establish a task force
to address agricultural air quality issues. AAQTF 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.
10., apply to AAQTF.
[[Page 14328]]
AAQTF 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 with the information to
provide oversight and coordination related to agricultural air quality.
AAQTF Membership
USDA expects AAQTF to meet two to three times each year, with
meetings held at various locations across the United States. AAQTF
members will serve for a term of 2 years, starting with the date of
appointment to AAQTF. The Chief of NRCS serves as Chair of AAQTF. AAQTF
is composed of members representing a broad spectrum of individuals
with interest and expertise in agricultural air quality issues. This
includes, but is not limited to, agricultural producers,
representatives from the agricultural production and processing sector,
as well as those from academia, agribusiness, regulatory organizations,
environmental organizations, and local or State agencies.
Nominees to 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 an AAQTF 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 AAQTF will not receive
compensation from NRCS for their service, except while away from home
or regular place of business, members 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 5 U.S.C. 5703.
Additional information about AAQTF is available at: <a href="https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/natural-resource-concerns/air">https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/natural-resource-concerns/air</a>.
Member Nominations
Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified
individuals for membership. Interested candidates may nominate
themselves. Previous nominees and AAQTF members who wish to be
considered for membership on AAQTF 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, no more than two pages, explaining the
nominee's qualifications to serve on AAQTF and addressing the criteria
described above.
2. A resume providing the nominee's background, experience, and
educational qualifications.
3. A completed background disclosure form (Form AD-755) signed by
the nominee. The form is available on-line at: <a href="https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-755.pdf">https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-755.pdf</a>.
4. Any recent publications by the nominee relative to air quality
(if appropriate).
5. Letter(s) of endorsement (optional).
Send nominations to Greg Zwicke, Designated Federal Officer,
Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, West
National Technology Support Center, 2150 Centre Avenue, Building A,
Suite 314B, Fort Collins, CO 80526; or email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9ed9ecfbf9b0c4e9f7fdf5fbdeebedfaffb0f9f1e8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="63241106044d39140a00080623161007024d040c15">[email protected]</span></a>.
The Designated Federal Officer will acknowledge receipt of nominations.
USDA Non-Discrimination Policy
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights
regulations and policies, USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees,
and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are
prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin,
religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual
orientation, disability, age, marital status, family or parental
status, income derived from a public assistance program, political
beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in
any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases
apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by
program or incident.
Individuals who require alternative means of communication for
program information (for example, braille, large print, audiotape,
American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or
USDA TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and text telephone (TTY))
or dial 711 for Telecommunications Relay Service (both voice and text
telephone users can initiate this call from any telephone).
Additionally, program information may be made available in languages
other than English.
Equal opportunity practices in accordance with USDA's policies,
will be followed in all appointments to AAQTF. To ensure that the
recommendations of AAQTF have taken into account the needs of the
diverse groups served by USDA, membership will include to the extent
possible, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent
minorities, women, and person with disabilities.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at <a href="https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint">https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint</a> and
at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in
the letter all the information requested in the form. To request a copy
of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form
or letter to USDA by mail to: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of
the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW,
Washington, DC 20250-9410 or email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f8b7b9bbb88d8b9c99d69f978e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="014e404241747265602f666e77">[email protected]</span></a>.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Dated: February 28, 2023.
Cikena Reid,
USDA Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-04703 Filed 3-6-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-16-P
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