Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 104 Part 4.djvu/1009

 PUBLIC LAW 101-619—NOV. 16, 1990 104 STAT. 3325 Public Law 101-619 101st Congress An Act Nov. 16, 1990 To promote environmental education, and for other purposes. FS 31761 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, National Environmental SECTION I. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS. Education Act. (a) TITLE.—T h is Act may be cited as the "National Environmental 20 USC 5501 Education Act". ''°^- (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.— Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents. • Sec. 2. Findings and policy. 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 and fellowships. Sec. 8. Environmental education awards. Sec. 9. Environmental Education Advisory Council and Task Force. Sec. 10. National Environmental Education and Training Foundation. Sec. 11. Authorization. SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND POLICY. 20 USC 550L (a) 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 declines in species diversity, and that these problems pose serious threats to human health and the environment on a global scale. (3) Environmental problems represent as significant a threat to the quality of life and the economic vitality of urban areas as they do the natural balance of rural areas. (4) Effective response to complex environmental problems requires understanding of the natural and built environment, awareness of environmental problems and their origins (including those in urban areas), and the skills to solve these problems. (5) Development of effective solutions to environmental problems and effective implementation of environmental programs requires a well educated and trained, professional work force. (6) Current Federal efforts to inform and educate the public concerning the natural and built environment and environmental problems are not adequate. (7) Existing Federal support for development and training of professionals in environmental fields is not sufficient. (8) The Federal Government, acting through the Environmental Protection Agency, should work with local education institutions. State education agencies, not-for-profit educational and environmental organizations, noncommercial educational

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