B37 5-19-89 [update]
S 1076 IS
101st CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1076
To increase public understanding of the natural environment and to advance
and develop environmental education and training.
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
May 18 (legislative day, JANUARY 3), 1989
Mr. BURDICK (for himself, Mr. CHAFEE, Mr. MITCHELL, Mr. MOYNIHAN, Mr. SIMON,
Mr. COHEN, Mr. CONRAD, Mr. JEFFORDS, Mr. BENTSEN, Mr. REID, Mr. LIEBERMAN,
Ms. MIKULSKI, Mr. ADAMS, Mr. KASTEN, Mr. SASSER, Mr. DODD, Mr. DASCHEL,
Mr. SARBANES, Mr. FOWLER, Mr. BIDEN, Mr. SANFORD, Mr. GORTON, and Mr. BAUCUS)
introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the
Committee on Environment and Public Works
A BILL
To increase public understanding of the natural environment and to advance
and develop environmental education and training.
  Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
  States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.
  (a) TITLE. --This Act may be cited as the `National Environmental Education
  Act'.
  (b) Table of Contents-
Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Sec. 4. Office of Environmental Education.
Sec. 5. Environmental education and training program.
Sec. 6. Environmental education grants.
Sec. 7. Environmental internships.
Sec. 8. Environmental education awards.
Sec. 9. Environmental Education Advisory Council.
Sec. 10. Environmental Education Trust Fund.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
  The Congress finds that--
  (1) Threats to human health and environmental quality are increasingly
  complex, involving a wide range of conventional and toxic contaminants in
  the air and water and on the land.
  (2) There is growing evidence of international environmental problems,
  such as global warming, ocean pollution, and species diversity, and that
  these problems pose serious threats to human health and the environment
  on a global scale.
  (3) Effective response to complex environmental problems requires
  understanding of the natural environment and awareness of environmental
  problems and their origins, and the skills to solve these problems.
  (4) Development of effective solutions to environmental problems and
  effective implementation of environmental programs requires a well educated
  and trained, professional work force.
  (5) Current Federal efforts to inform and educate the public concerning
  the natural environment and environmental problems are not adequate.
  (6) Existing Federal support for development and training of professionals
  in environmental fields is not sufficient.
  (7) The Federal Government, acting through the Environmental Protection
  Agency, should work with local education institutions, State education
  agencies, not-for-profit educational organizations, and private sector
  interests to support development of curricula, special projects, and other
  activities, to increase understanding of the natural environment and to
  improve awareness of environmental problems.
  (8) The Federal Government, acting through the coordinated efforts of its
  agencies and with the leadership of the Environmental Protection Agency,
  should work with local education institutions, State education agencies,
  not-for-profit educational organizations, and private sector interests to
  develop and support methods, practices, and programs to assure the highest
  level of education and training, including technical and scientific skills,
  of professionals in environmental fields.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
  For the purposes of this Act, the term--
  (1) `Administrator' means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
  Agency;
  (2) `Agency' means the United States Environmental Protection Agency;
  (3) `Federal agency' or `agency of the United States' means any department,
  agency or other instrumentality of the Federal Government, any independent
  agency or establishment of the Federal Government including any Government
  corporation;
  (4) `Secretary' means the Secretary of the Department of Education;
  (5) `local education agency' means any education agency as defined in
  section 198 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
  U.S.C. 3381); and
  (6) `not-for-profit' organization means an organization, association, or
  institution described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of
  1986, which is exempt from taxation pursuant to the provisions of section
  501(a) of such code.
SEC. 4. OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION.
  (a) The Administrator shall establish an Office of Environmental Education
  within the Office of External Affairs.
  (b) The Office of Environmental Education shall--
  (1) develop and support programs and related efforts to improve understanding
  of the natural environment, and the relationships between humans and their
  environment, including the global aspects of environmental problems;
  (2) support development and dissemination of model curricula, educational
  materials, and training programs for elementary and secondary students
  and other interested groups;
  (3) develop and disseminate, in cooperation with educational and
  environmental organizations, environmental education publications and
  audio/visual materials;
  (4) develop and support environmental education seminars, training programs,
  and workshops for environmental professionals, as provided for in section
  5 of this Act;
  (5) manage Federal grant assistance provided to local education agencies,
  institutions of higher education, and other not-for-profit organizations
  under section 6 of this Act;
  (6) administer the environmental internship program provided for in section
  7 of this Act;
  (7) administer the environmental awards program provided for in section
  8 of this Act;
  (8) provide staff support to the Environmental Education Council provided
  for in section 9 of this Act;
  (9) assess the demand for professional skills and training needed to
  respond to current and anticipated environmental problems and cooperate with
  appropriate institutions, organizations, and agencies to develop training
  programs, curricula, and continuing education programs for teachers,
  school administrators, and related professionals;
  (10) assure the coordination of Federal statutes and programs administered
  by the Agency relating to environmental education and work to reduce
  duplication or inconsistencies within these programs;
  (11) work with the Department of Education, the Federal Interagency
  Committee on Education, and with other Federal agencies to assure the
  effective coordination of programs related to environmental education;
  (12) provide technical assistance to local education agencies, State
  education and natural resource agencies, and others; and
  (13) otherwise provide for the implementation of this Act.
  (c) The Office of Environmental Education shall--
  (1) be directed by a Director who shall be a member of the Senior Executive
  Service;
  (2) include a headquarters staff of not less than ten full-time equivalent
  employees; and
  (3) be supported by not less than one full-time equivalent employee in
  each Agency regional office.
SEC. 5. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM.
  (a) There is hereby established an Environmental Education and Training
  Program. The purpose of the program shall be to train educational
  professionals in the development and delivery of environmental education
  and training programs and studies.
  (b) The functions and activities of the program shall include, at a minimum--
  (1) classroom training in environmental education and studies including
  environmental sciences and theory, educational methods and practices,
  and topical environmental issues and problems;
  (2) demonstration of the design and conduct of environmental field studies
  and assessments;
  (3) training in development of environmental programs and curriculum;
  (4) sponsorship and management of international exchanges of teachers
  and other educational professionals involved in environmental programs
  and issues;
  (5) maintenance of a library of environmental education materials,
  information, and literature;
  (6) evaluation and dissemination of environmental education materials,
  training methods, and related programs;
  (7) sponsorship of conferences, seminars, and related forums for the
  advancement and development of environmental education and training
  curricula and materials; and
  (8) such other activities as the Administrator determines to be consistent
  with the objectives of this Act.
Special emphasis should be placed on developing environmental education
programs, workshops, and training tools which are portable and can be broadly
disseminated including development of computer networks.
  (c)(1) The Administrator shall make a grant on an annual basis to an
  institution of higher education or other research institution which is a
  not-for-profit institution (or consortia of such institutions) to establish
  and operate the environmental education and training program required by
  this section.
  (2) Any institution of higher education or other research institution (or
  consortia of such institutions) which is a not-for-profit organization and
  is interested in receiving a grant under this section may submit to the
  Administrator an application in such form and containing such information
  as the Administrator may require.
  (3) The Administrator shall award grants under this section on the basis of--
  (A) the capability to develop environmental education and training programs;
  (B) the capability to deliver training to a range of participants and in
  a range of settings;
  (C) the expertise of the staff in a range of appropriate disciplines;
  (D) the relative economic effectiveness of the program in terms of the
  ratio of overhead costs to direct services;
  (E) the results of any evaluation under paragraph (5) of this subsection; and
  (F) such other factors as the Administrator deems appropriate.
  (4) No funds made available to carry out this section shall be used for
  the acquisition of real property (including buildings) or the construction
  or substantial modification of any building.
  (5) The Administrator shall establish procedures for a careful and detailed
  review and evaluation of the education and training program to determine
  whether the quality of the program being operated by the grantee warrants
  continued support under this section.
  (d)(1) Individuals eligible for participation in the program are teachers,
  faculty, administrators and related support staff associated with local
  education agencies, colleges, and universities, employees of State
  education, environmental protection, and natural resource departments,
  and employees of not-for-profit organizations involved in environmental
  education activities and issues.
  (2) Environmental education professionals shall be selected for participation
  in the program based on applications which shall be in such form as the
  Administrator determines to be appropriate.
  (3) In selecting individuals to participate in the program, the
  Administration shall provide for a wide geographic representation and a
  mix of individuals working at primary, secondary, postsecondary levels,
  and with appropriate other agencies and departments.
  (4) Individuals selected for participation in the program may be provided
  with a stipend to cover travel and accommodations in such amounts as the
  Administrator determines to be appropriate.
SEC. 6. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION GRANTS.
  (a) The Administrator may enter into a cooperative agreement or contract,
  or provide financial assistance in the form of grants to support projects
  to design, demonstrate, and disseminate practices, methods, or techniques
  related to environmental education and training.
  (b) Activities eligible for grant support pursuant to this section shall
  include, but not be limited to--
  (1) design and demonstration of environmental curricula, including
  development of educational tools and materials;
  (2) design and demonstration of field methods, practices, and techniques,
  including assessment of environmental and ecological conditions and analysis
  of environmental pollution problems;
  (3) conduct of special projects to understand and assess a specific
  environmental issue or a specific environmental problem; and
  (4) support of training or related education for personnel, including
  teachers, faculty, or administrative staff.
  (c) In making grants pursuant to this section, the Administrator shall
  give priority to those proposed projects which will develop--
  (1) a new or significantly improved environmental education practice,
  method, or technique;
  (2) an environmental education practice, method, or technique which may
  have wide application;
  (3) an environmental education practice, method, or technique which
  addresses a skill or scientific field identified as a priority in the
  report developed pursuant to section 9(e) of this Act;
  (4) an environmental education practice, method or technique which addresses
  an environmental issue which, in the judgment of the Administrator, is of
  a high priority; and
  (5) an evaluation of the content and effectiveness of environmental
  education and training programs and materials.
  (d) The program established by this subsection shall include solicitations
  for projects, selection of suitable projects from among those proposed,
  supervision of such projects, evaluation of the results of projects,
  and dissemination of information on the effectiveness and feasibility of
  the practices, methods, techniques and processes. The Administrator shall
  publish regulations to assure satisfactory implementation of each element
  of the program authorized by this subsection.
  (e) Within one hundred and eighty days after the date of enactment of
  this Act, and no less often than every twelve months thereafter, the
  Administrator shall publish a solicitation for environmental education
  grants. The solicitation notice shall prescribe the information to be
  included in the proposal and other information sufficient to permit the
  Administrator to assess the project.
  (f) Any local education agency, college or university, State education
  agency or environmental agency, or not-for-profit organization may submit an
  application to the Administrator in response to the solicitations required
  by subsection (e) of this section.
  (g) Each project under this section shall be performed by the applicant,
  or by a person satisfactory to the applicant, under the supervision of
  the Administrator.
  (h) Federal funds for any demonstration project under this section shall not
  exceed 75 per centum of the total cost of such project. For the purposes
  of this section, the non-Federal share of project costs may be provided
  by inkind contributions and other noncash support. In cases where the
  Administrator determines that a proposed project merits support and cannot
  be undertaken without a higher rate of Federal support, the Administrator
  may approve grants under this section with a matching requirement other
  than that specified in this subsection, including full Federal funding.
  (i) Grants under this section shall not exceed $100,000. In addition,
  25 per centum of all funds obligated under this section in a fiscal year
  shall be for grants of not more than $5,000.
SEC. 7. ENVIRONMENTAL INTERNSHIPS.
  (a) The Administrator shall, in consultation with the Office of Personnel
  Management and other appropriate Federal agencies, provide for internships
  by postsecondary level students with agencies of the Federal Government.
  (b) The purpose of internships pursuant to this section shall be to provide
  college level students with an opportunity to work with professional staff
  of Federal agencies involved in environmental issues and thereby gain an
  understanding and appreciation of the skills and abilities appropriate to
  such professions.
  (c) The Administrator shall, to the extent practicable, support not less
  than one hundred and fifty internships each year.
  (d) The internship program shall be managed by the Office of Environmental
  Education. Interns may serve in appropriate agencies of the Federal
  Government including, but not limited to, the Environmental Protection
  Agency, the Fish and Wildlife Service, and the National Oceanic and
  Atmospheric Administration. Council on Environmental Quality, Soil
  Conservation Service, United States Forest Service, National Park Service,
  and the Bureau of Land Management.
  (e) Interns shall be hired on a temporary, full-time basis for not to
  exceed six months and shall be compensated at a rate of not less than GS-4
  and not more than GS-7. Federal agencies hiring interns shall provide the
  funds necessary to support salaries and related costs.
  (f) Individuals eligible for participation in the internship program
  are students enrolled at accredited colleges or universities who have
  successfully completed not less than four courses or the equivalent in
  environmental sciences or studies, as determined by the Administrator.
  (g) Students shall be selected for internships based on applications which
  shall be in such form as the Administrator considers appropriate.
  (h) In selecting individuals for internships, the Administrator shall
  provide for wide geographic representation and representation of a range
  of professions related to the environment.
SEC. 8. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AWARDS.
  (a) The Administrator shall provide for a series of national awards
  recognizing outstanding contributions to environmental education.
  (b) National environmental awards shall include--
  (A) The `Theodore Roosevelt Award' to be given in recognition of an
  outstanding career in environmental education, teaching, or administration;
  (B) The `Henry David Thoreau Award' to be given in recognition of an
  outstanding contribution to literature on the natural environment and
  environmental pollution problems; and
  (C) The `Rachael Carson Award' to be given in recognition of an outstanding
  contribution in print or film media to public education and information
  on environmental issues or problems.
  (c) Recipients of education awards provided for in subsection (b) shall
  be nominated by the Environmental Education Advisory Council provided for
  in section 9 of this Act.
  (d) The Regional Administrator of each of the ten regional offices of the
  Environmental Protection Agency shall present an `Outstanding Environmental
  Educator Award' on an annual basis to a teacher or faculty member from a
  local education agency, college or university, or not-for-profit organization
  in that region in recognition of a specific, outstanding contribution to
  environmental education during the past year.
SEC. 9. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL.
  (a) There is hereby established a National Environmental Education Advisory
  Council.
  (b) The Council shall advise, consult with, and make recommendations to,
  the Administrator on matters relating to activities, functions, and policies
  of the Agency under this Act. The Office of Environmental Education shall
  provide staff support to the Council.
  (c) The Council shall consist of fifteen members appointed by the
  Administrator after consultation with the Secretary. Three members shall be
  appointed to represent primary and secondary education (one of whom shall
  be a classroom teacher); three members shall be appointed to represent
  colleges and universities; three members shall be appointed to represent
  not-for-profit organizations involved in environmental education, three
  members shall be appointed to represent State departments of education and
  natural resources and three representatives shall be appointed to represent
  business and industry. A representative of the Secretary, Department of
  Education, shall serve as an ex-officio member of the Council. The Office
  of Environmental Education shall provide staff support to the Council.
  (d) The Administrator shall provide that members of the Council represent
  the various geographic regions of the country and that the professional
  backgrounds of the members include scientific, policy, and other appropriate
  disciplines.
  (e) Each member of the Council shall hold office for a term of three years,
  except that--
  (1) any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration
  of the term for which his predecessor was appointed shall be appointed
  for the remainder of such term; and
  (2) the terms of the members first taking office shall expire as follows:
  five shall expire three years after the date of enactment of this title, five
  shall expire two years after such date, and five shall expire one year after
  such date, as designated by the Administrator at the time of appointment.
  (f) The Council shall, after providing for public review and comment, submit
  to the Congress, within twenty-four months of enactment and biennially
  thereafter, a report which shall--
  (1) describe and assess the extent and quality of environmental education
  in the Nation's schools, colleges, and universities;
  (2) provide a general description of the activities conducted pursuant to
  this Act and related authorities over the previous two-year period;
  (3) summarize major obstacles to improving environmental education and
  make recommendations for addressing such obstacles; and
  (4) identify personnel skills, education, and training needed to respond
  to current and anticipated environmental problems and make recommendations
  for actions to assure sufficient educational and training opportunities
  in these professions.
  (g) Members of the Council appointed under this section shall, while
  attending meetings or conferences of the Council or otherwise engaged in
  business of the Council, receive compensation and allowances at a rate
  to be fixed by the Administrator, but not exceeding the daily equivalent
  of the annual rate of basic pay in effect for grade GS-18 of the General
  Schedule for each day (including travel time) during which they are engaged
  in the actual performance of duties vested in the Council. While away from
  their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services
  for the Council, members of the Council shall be allowed travel expenses,
  including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the same manner as persons
  employed intermittently in the Government service are allowed expenses
  under section 5703(b) of title 5 of the United States Code.
  (h) Section 14(a) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act relating to
  termination, shall not apply to the Council.
SEC. 10. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION TRUST FUND.
  (a) There is established in the Treasury of the United States a trust fund
  to be known as the `Environmental Education Trust Fund', consisting of such
  amounts as may be transferred to such Trust Fund as provided in this section.
  (b)(1) Amounts in the Environmental Education Trust Fund shall be available,
  as provided in appropriation Acts, to the Administrator for the purposes of
  making expenditures to carry out this Act, but not in excess of $15,000,000
  for each fiscal year.
  (2) Of such sums appropriated in a fiscal year, not more than 40 per
  centum shall be available for the activities of the Office of Environmental
  Education, not more than 30 per centum shall be available for the operation
  of the Environmental Education and training program, and not more than 30
  per centum shall be available for environmental education grants.
  (c) There are hereby authorized to be appropriated to the Environmental
  Education Trust Fund, 50 per centum of any penalty paid in response to
  Federal enforcement action pursuant to the Clean Water Act, the Clean
  Air Act, the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act,
  the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, and the Safe
  Drinking Water Act unless any such penalty is required to be used for
  another purpose pursuant to Federal law.