Air Quality Concerns in Hawaii?  

NRCS Chief Bruce Knight (third from left) and other task force members listen as workers at a sugar mill and bioenergy plant explain its operation

When you think of Hawaii, do you think of warm tropical breezes and sunshine?  Do you ever wonder how those breezes relate to air quality concerns? Air quality is a major issue in Hawaii.  So to better understand these concerns and how to address them, USDA recently held an Agricultural Air Quality Task Force meeting in Maui.  USDA Under Secretary for Rural Development Thomas Dorr and USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Merlyn Carlson were guest speakers.  The meeting was held in conjunction with a Farm Bill forum. Topics covered included regional haze regulations and implications for agriculture, Clean Diesel Initiative, EPA draft proposed National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter, and emerging issues.  Nearly 50 people commented during the public session.

The task force is chaired by NRCS Chief Bruce Knight and is made up of producers, academics, industry and organizational representatives, and experts in the fields of agriculture and air quality. Representatives from USDA’s Economic Research Service; Forest Service; Agricultural Research Service; and Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service also participate on the task force.

The task force is authorized by Congress and operates under the terms of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Its role is to advise the Secretary on issues related to agricultural air quality. Additional information is available at the USDA-Agricultural Air Quality Task Force website.
Your contact is Diane Gelburd, Director, NRCS Ecological Sciences Division, at 202-720-2587.