Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 89.djvu/864

 89 STAT. 804

PUBLIC LAW 94-148—DEC. 12, 1975

Public Law 94-148 94th Congress An Act Dec. 12, 1975 [H.R. 10027]

Forest Service programs. Cooperative agreements. 16 USC 565a-l.

16 USC 565a-2.

28 USC 2671 et seq.

5 USC 8101 et seq.

16 USC 565a-3.

To authorize the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into cooperative agreements which benefit certain Forest Service programs and to advance or reimburse funds to cooperators for vi'orli performed, and for other purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled., That to facilitate the administration of the programs and activities of the Forest Service, the Secretary is authorized to negotiate and enter into cooperative agreements with public or private agencies, organizations, institutions, or persons to construct, operate, and maintain cooperative pollution abatement equipment and facilities, including sanitary landfills, water systems, and sewer systems; to engage in cooperative manpower and job t r a i n i n g and development program s; to develop and publish cooperative environmental education and forest history materials; and to perform forestry protection, including fire protection, timber stand improvement, debris removal, and thinning of trees. The Secretary may enter into aforesaid agreements when he determines that the public interest will be benefited and that there exists a mutual interest other than monetary considerations. I n such cooperative arrangements, the Secretary is authorized to advance or reimburse funds to cooperators from any Forest Service appropriation available for similar kinds of work or by furnishing or sharing materials, supplies, facilities, or equipment without regard to the provisions of the Act of January 31, 1823 (Rev. Stat. 3648, as amended; 31 U.S.C. 529), relating to the advance of public moneys. SEC. 2. I n any agreement authorized by section 1, cooperators and their employees may perform cooperative work under supervision of the Forest Service in emergencies or otherwise as mutually agreed to, but shall not be deemed to be Federal employees other than for the purposes of chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code, and chapter 81 of title 5, United States Code. SEC. 3. Nothing in this Act shall be construed as limiting or modifying the authority of the Secretary to enter into cooperative agreements otherwise authorized by law. Approved December 12, 1975.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY: HOUSE REPORT No. 94-611 (Comm. on Agriculture). SENATE REPORT No. 94-476 (Comm. on Agriculture and Forestry). CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 121 (1975): Nov. 4, considered and passed House. Dec. 1, considered and passed Senate.

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