I
103D CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. R. 4334
To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the Secretary of Defense
to provide assistance to promote public participation in defense environ-
mental restoration activities.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MAY 3, 1994
Mr. UNDERWOOD introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Armed Services
A BILL
To amend title 10, United States Code, to authorize the
Secretary of Defense to provide assistance to promote
public participation in defense environmental restoration
activities.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. ASSISTANCE FOR PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN
DEFENSE 
ENVIRONMENTAL 
RESTORATION
ACTIVITIES.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT
OF RESTORATION ADVISORY
BOARDS.—Section 2705 of title 10, United States Code,
is amended by adding after subsection (c) the following
new subsection:
‘‘(d) RESTORATION ADVISORY BOARD.—In lieu of es-
tablishing a technical review committee under subsection
(c), the Secretary may permit the establishment of a res-
toration advisory board in connection with any installation
(or group of nearby installations) where the Secretary is
planning or implementing environmental remediation ac-
tivities. The Secretary shall prescribe regulations regard-
ing the characteristics, composition, and establishment of
restoration advisory boards pursuant to this subsection.
The Secretary shall provide for the payment of routine ad-
ministrative expenses of a restoration advisory board from
funds available for the operation and maintenance of the
installation (or installations) for which the board is estab-
lished.’’.
(b) ASSISTANCE FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION ON
TECHNICAL REVIEW BOARDS AND RESTORATION ADVI-
SORY BOARDS.—Such section is further amended by add-
ing after subsection (d) (as added by subsection (a)) the
following new subsection:
‘‘(e) ASSISTANCE FOR CITIZEN PARTICIPATION.—(1)
Using amounts made available under paragraph (5), the
Secretary shall make grants to facilitate the participation
of private individuals on technical review committees and
restoration advisory boards for the purpose of ensuring
public input into the planning and implementation of envi-
ronmental remediation activities at installations where
such committees and boards are in operation. Such grants
shall be made through an appropriate trustee selected pur-
suant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary for this
purpose.
‘‘(2) Private individuals who are members of a tech-
nical review committee or restoration advisory board may
use a grant awarded under this subsection only—
‘‘(A) to obtain technical assistance in interpret-
ing scientific and engineering issues with regard to
the nature of environmental hazards at an installa-
tion and the remedial activities proposed or con-
ducted at the installation; and
‘‘(B) to assist such members and affected citi-
zens to more effectively participate in the environ-
mental restoration process at the installation.
‘‘(3) Technical or other experts hired by members of
a technical review committee or restoration advisory board
using funds provided under this subsection shall be hired
in the sole discretion of such members.
‘‘(4) Subject to the availability of funds for grants
under this subsection, the total amount of funds to be pro-
vided under this subsection to a technical review commit-
tee or restoration advisory board established for a particu-
lar installation (or group of installations) shall be equal
to the lessor of—
‘‘(A) one tenth of 1 percent of the total cost of
environmental remediation activities conducted at
the installation (or group of installations); and
‘‘(B) $100,000.
‘‘(5) In such aggregate amount as may be provided
in appropriations Acts, the Secretary shall make grants
under this subsection using funds in the Defense Environ-
mental Restoration Account and, in the case of defense
facilities to be closed or realigned, the Department of De-
fense Base Closure Account 1990.’’.
(c) INVOLVEMENT OF COMMITTEES AND BOARDS IN
DEFENSE ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION PROGRAM.—
Such section is further amended by adding after sub-
section (e) (as added by subsection (b)) the following new
subsection:
‘‘(f) INVOLVEMENT IN DEFENSE ENVIRONMENTAL
RESTORATION PROGRAM.—The Secretary shall consult
with, and seek the advice of, the technical review commit-
tee or restoration advisory board established for an instal-
lation (if any) on the following issues:
‘‘(1) Identifying environmental remediation ac-
tivities and projects at the installation.
‘‘(2) Tracking progress on these activities and
projects.
‘‘(3) Collecting information regarding remedi-
ation priorities for the installation.
‘‘(4) Addressing land use, level of remediation,
acceptable risk, and waste management and tech-
nology development issues related to remediation at
the installation.
‘‘(5) Developing remediation strategies.’’.
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