Coordination of = Environmental Policy

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF=20 AGRICULTURE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250

DEPARTMENTAL = REGULATION

NUMBER:
9500-011

SUBJECT:
Coordination of = Environmental=20 Policy

DATE:
June 30.=20 2005

OPI:
Natural = Resources=20 Conservation Service

1 =20 PURPOSE

A primary mission of the Department of = Agriculture=20 is to assist farmers in improving agricultural production while at the = same time=20 conserving our natural resources and protecting and improving the = quality of the=20 environment. Successful=20 accomplishment of this mission requires the development of clear USDA = policies=20 on environmental issues and the coordinated implementation of programs = to carry=20 out those policies. The = purpose of=20 this regulation is to establish the necessary mechanisms to ensure = effective=20 policy and program coordination regarding all environmental matters = including=20 pesticides.

2 =20 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

Departmental Regulation 9500-011, April = 20, 1994,=20 is canceled and is replaced by
this regulation.

3 =20 ESTABLISHMENT

There is hereby re-established the = Agricultural=20 Council on Environmental Quality (Council) which shall be responsible = for=20 coordination of all environmental policies and programs of the = Department.=20 Membership of the Council shall include the Secretary, the Deputy = Secretary, the=20 Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services, the Under = Secretary=20 for Natural Resources and Environment, the Under Secretary for Research, = Education, and Economics, the Under Secretary for Marketing and = Regulatory=20 Programs, the Under Secretary for Rural Development, the Assistant = Secretary for=20 Administration, the Chief Economist, and the Director of the Office of=20 Agricultural Environmental Quality, if the Secretary has appointed = one. The Under Secretary for = Natural=20 Resources and Environment is hereby designated as Chairman of the = Council.

4 =20 STAFF SUPPORT

The Under Secretary for Natural = Resources and=20 Environment shall designate a person to serve as Director of the Council = who=20 shall provide staff support to the Council in promoting strong and = effective=20 intradepartmental coordination on environmental policy issues, improving = policy=20 formulation on environmental issues, and providing a focal point for = USDA=20 interaction on environmental issues with other federal agencies and = external=20 organizations. Additional = staff=20 support may be provided to the Council, as necessary, by appropriate = USDA=20 agencies and offices.

5 =20 IMPLEMENTATION

The provisions of this regulation shall = be=20 effective immediately.