Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 104 Part 5.djvu/232

 104 STAT. 3554 PUBLIC LAW 101-624—NOV. 28, 1990 (4) trees and forests provide shade, block winds, and add moisture to the air, thereby mitigating the urban "heat island" effect and significantly reducing energy use; (5) trees and forests make important contributions to the environmental, social, and economic well-being of both rural and urban areas across the United States; and (6) stewardship of trees and forests could be significantly enhanced by encouraging, promoting, and supporting partnerships and community service projects involving individuals, youth groups, organizations, businesses and governments at all levels. SEC. 1263. PURPOSES. The purposes of this subtitle are to— (1) authorize the President to designate a private nonprofit foundation as eligible for a one-time grant from the Secretary of Agriculture, to be used for promoting public awareness and a spirit of volunteerism, soliciting private sector contributions, and overseeing the use of these contributions to encourage tree planting projects in communities and urban areas; (2) promote the principles of bsisic forest stewardship through the nationwide planting, improvement, and maintenance of trees in order to increase reforestation, enhance the environmental and aesthetic qualities of the United States's rural and urban areas, and reduce global carbon dioxide levels; (3) authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to provide increased financial and technical assistance to State forestry agencies and others, and enter into cost-sharing agreements with individuals, for the purpose of encouraging owners of nonindustrial private lands to plant and maintain trees and improve forests in rural areas; and (4) authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to provide increased financial and technical assistance to State forestry agencies and others for the purpose of encouraging units of local government, civic groups, and individuals to plant and maintain trees and improve forests in communities and urban areas. SEC. 1264. TREE PLANTING FOUNDATION. (a) PURPOSE. —The purpose of this section is to authorize the President to designate a private nonprofit Foundation as eligible to receive a grant from the Department of Agriculture to be used— (1) to provide grants, including matching grants, to qualifying nonprofit organizations (including youth groups), municipalities, counties, towns and townships for the implementation of programs to promote public awareness and a spirit of volunteerism in support of tree planting, maintenance, management, protection, and cultivation projects in rural areas, communities and urban areas throughout the United States; (2) to solicit public and private sector contributions through the mobilization of individuals, businesses, governments, and community organizations with the goal of increasing the number of trees planted, maintained, managed, and protected in rural areas, communities and urban environments; (3) to accept and administer public and private gifts and make grants, including matching grants, to encourage local participation, for the planting, maintenance, management, protection, and cultivation of trees; and

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