I 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 2729 
To authorize the designation of National Environmental Research Parks by 
the Secretary of Energy, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 4, 2009 
Mr. LUJA´N introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on Science and Technology 
A BILL 
To authorize the designation of National Environmental Re-
search Parks by the Secretary of Energy, and for other 
purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) The National Environmental Research 
Parks are unique outdoor laboratories that provide 
opportunities for environmental studies on protected 
lands around Department of Energy facilities. 
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(2) In 1972, the Atomic Energy Commission 
established its first official environmental research 
park at the Savannah River site in South Carolina. 
(3) In 1976, the Department of Energy defined 
the mission for the research parks in accordance 
with the recommendations of the multiagency review 
team for environmental research activities at the Sa-
vannah River site. 
(4) The mission of the research parks is to— 
(A) conduct research and education activi-
ties to assess and document environmental ef-
fects associated with energy and weapons use; 
(B) explore methods for eliminating or 
minimizing adverse effects of energy develop-
ment and nuclear materials on the environment; 
(C) train people in ecological and environ-
mental sciences; and 
(D) educate the public. 
(5) The seven National Environmental Re-
search Parks are located within six major ecological 
regions of the United States, covering more than 
half of the Nation. 
(6) The parks are especially valuable research 
sites because within their borders they provide se-
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cure settings for scientists to conduct long-term re-
search on a broad range of subjects including— 
(A) plant succession; 
(B) biomass production; 
(C) population ecology; 
(D) radioecology; 
(E) ecological restoration; and 
(F) thermal effects on freshwater eco-
systems. 
(7) The parks maintain several long-term data 
sets that are available nowhere else in the United 
States or in the world on amphibian populations, 
bird populations, and soil moisture and plant water 
stress. These data sets are uniquely valuable for the 
detection of long-term shifts in climate. 
(8) The maintenance of these parks by the De-
partment of Energy is consistent with statutory obli-
gations to promote sound environmental stewardship 
of Federal lands and to safeguard sites containing 
cultural and archeological resources. 
(9) Public education and outreach activities car-
ried out on these sites provide unique learning op-
portunities, promote a stronger connection between 
these Federal facilities and the surrounding commu-
nities, and enhance public confidence that the De-
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partment of Energy is fulfilling its environmental 
stewardship responsibilities. 
SEC. 2. NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH PARKS. 
(a) DESIGNATION.—The Secretary of Energy shall 
designate the seven National Environmental Research 
Parks located on Department of Energy sites, including— 
(1) the Savannah River National Environ-
mental Research Park; 
(2) the Idaho National Environmental Research 
Park; 
(3) the Los Alamos National Environmental 
Research Park; 
(4) the Fermi Lab National Environmental Re-
search Park; 
(5) the Hanford National Environmental Re-
search Park; 
(6) the Oak Ridge National Environmental Re-
search Park; and 
(7) the Nevada National Environmental Re-
search Park, 
as permanent protected outdoor research reserves for the 
purposes of conducting long-term environmental research 
on the impacts of human activities on the natural environ-
ment. 
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