I

104TH CONGRESS

2D SESSION H. R. 4175

To require the Secretary of Education to investigate the feasibility of

establishing a National Environmental Science and Policy Academy.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SEPTEMBER 25, 1996

Mr. LAZIO of New York introduced the following bill; which was referred to

the Committee on Science, and in addition to the Committee on Economic

and Educational Opportunities, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions

as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To require the Secretary of Education to investigate the

feasibility of establishing a National Environmental

Science and Policy Academy.

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

4 This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Environmental De5 fense Act of 1996’’.

6 SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

7 The Congress finds that the Federal Government

8 should make a commitment to battle the Nation’s environ-
2

•HR 4175 IH

1 mental problems and ensure that the country’s leadership

2 needs are met in the fields of environmental science and

3 policy.

4 SEC. 3. INVESTIGATION AND REPORT.

5 (a) INVESTIGATION.—The Secretary of Education

6 shall conduct an investigation of the feasibility of estab7 lishment by the Federal Government of a National Envi8 ronmental Science and Policy Academy that would fulfill

9 the purposes described in subsection (c). In conducting

10 such investigation, the Secretary shall—

11 (1) consider the feasibility of establishing a na12 tional academy for undergraduate and graduate pro13 grams in a broad spectrum of environmental fields;

14 (2) consider academy management, funding,

15 and location, the selection process for academy stu16 dents, curriculum requirements for graduation, and

17 service requirements for academy graduates; and

18 (3) consult with other appropriate Federal

19 agencies and with existing national nonprofit organi20 zations that have generally recognized ethical or

21 techinical standards (or both) for environmental pro22 fessionals.

23 (b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Within 6 months after

24 the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Edu25 cation shall submit to the Congress a report on the results
3

•HR 4175 IH

1 of the investigation conducted pursuant to subsection (a).

2 Such report shall include—

3 (1) a recommendation on the feasibility of es4 tablishing a National Environmental Science and

5 Policy Academy and the most appropriate operating

6 and management policy for that academy;

7 (2) a recommendation on fields of study and de8 grees;

9 (3) a determination of the most appropriate

10 funding mechanism for the academy, such as oper11 ational grants, private endowments, or requirements

12 for matching funds;

13 (4) a recommendation on academy location,

14 such as single site, use of existing campuses, or es15 tablishment of national-level programs at the ‘‘land

16 grant’’ colleges;

17 (5) a recommendation on service requirements

18 of academy graduates, at Federal, State, or local

19 levels; and

20 (6) the Secretary’s recommendations for legisla21 tive or administrative action to achieve the establish22 ment of a National Environmental Science and Pol23 icy Academy.
4

•HR 4175 IH

1 (c) PURPOSES OF ACADEMY.—The establishment of

2 a National Environmental Science and Policy Academy

3 should be directed at achieving the following purposes:

4 (1) to serve as a national symbol of commit5 ment to the environment, much as West Point and

6 other service academies have done for defense; and

7 (2) to provide common points of reference for

8 environmental issues.

Æ