§5402 Office of Agricultural Environmental Quality

Summary

The Secretary must set up an Office of Agricultural Environmental Quality inside the Department of Agriculture. The Secretary picks a Director who has proven experience in farming and environmental matters. The Director can hire the staff needed, including people with skills in farm production, water and soil quality, wetlands, wildlife, and farm chemicals. The EPA Administrator and the Secretary of the Interior must each lend at least one expert to the Office if asked, with reimbursement, for up to 3 years. Other federal agencies can also lend staff if asked, with reimbursement. The Director must help the Department’s Council make environmental policy, plans, and an annual report. The Director will watch and coordinate the Department’s environmental programs, serve on the Council as its Executive Director, recommend goals and programs that balance farming and the environment, advise on consistent actions by agencies, share data and information, prepare required plans and reports, and provide staff support for the Council.