USDA seeks nominations for Agricultural Air Quality Task Force

WASHINGTON, April 29, 2004—The U.S. Department of Agriculture today called for nominations for qualified persons to serve as members of the Agricultural Air Quality Task Force. 

The Agricultural Air Quality Task Force charter is renewed every two years and directs the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to establish a task force to address agricultural air quality issues.  The 2002 Farm Bill specifically addresses air quality issues and ties them to conservation programs.

The task force will continue to be an advisory committee and will operate under the terms of the Federal Advisory Committee Act.  The role of the task force is to strengthen and coordinate USDA air quality research efforts related to agricultural activities and their contribution to air quality.  The task force also will identify and make recommendations on cost-effective ways in which the agriculture industry can improve air quality.

The task force is charged with ensuring sound data quality and interpretation, so that policy recommendations made by any federal or state agency to address air pollution problems related to agriculture are based on accurate scientific findings, peer review and economic feasibility.

The request for nominations to serve as members of the Agricultural Air Quality Task Force is in the April 29, 2004, Federal Register. 

Nomination information for the task force can be found on the Web at http://aaqtf.tamu.edu or by contacting Elvis Graves, NRCS acting designated federal official, at 202-720-3905 or e-mail elvis.graves@usda.gov.

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