National Environmental Education Act
PL 101-619 (S.3176), enacted 11/16/1990

PUBLIC LAW 101-619—NOV. 16, 1990 
104 STAT. 3325 
Public Law 101-619 
101st Congress 
An Act 
Nov. 16, 1990 
To promote environmental education, and for other purposes. 
FS 31761 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
National 
Environmental 
SECTION I. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
Education Act. 
(a) TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the "National Environmental 
20 USC 5501 
Education Act". 
''°^-
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.— 
Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents. 
• 
Sec. 2. Findings and policy. 
Sec. 3. Definitions. 
Sec. 4. Office of Environmental Education. 
Sec. 5. Environmental education and training program. 
Sec. 6. Environmental education grants. 
Sec. 7. Environmental internships and fellowships. 
Sec. 8. Environmental education awards. 
Sec. 9. Environmental Education Advisory Council and Task Force. 
Sec. 10. National Environmenteil Education and Training Foundation. 
Sec. 11. Authorization. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND POLICY. 
20 USC 550L 
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds that— 
(1) Threats to human health and environmental quality are 
increasingly complex, involving a wide range of conventional 
and toxic contaminants in the air and water and on the land. 
(2) There is growing evidence of international environmental 
problems, such as global warming, ocean pollution, and declines 
in species diversity, and that these problems pose serious 
threats to human health and the environment on a global scale. 
(3) Environmental problems represent as significant a threat 
to the quality of life and the economic vitality of urban areas as 
they do the natural balance of rural areas. 
(4) Effective response to complex environmental problems 
requires understanding of the natural and built environment, 
awareness of environmental problems and their origins (includ-
ing those in urban areas), and the skills to solve these problems. 
(5) Development of effective solutions to environmental prob-
lems and effective implementation of environmental programs 
requires a well educated and trained, professional work force. 
(6) Current Federal efforts to inform and educate the public 
concerning the natural and built environment and environ-
mental problems are not adequate. 
(7) Existing Federal support for development and training of 
professionals in environmental fields is not sufficient. 
(8) The Federal Government, acting through the Environ-
mental Protection Agency, should work with local education 
institutions. State education agencies, not-for-profit educational 
and environmental organizations, noncommercial educational 
104 STAT. 3326 
PUBLIC LAW 101-619—NOV. 16, 1990 
broadcasting entities, and private sector interests to support 
development of curricula, special projects, and other activities, 
to increase understanding of the natural and built environment 
and to improve awareness of environmental problems. 
(9) The Federal Government, acting through the coordinated 
efforts of its agencies and with the leadership of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency, should work with local education 
institutions. State education agencies, not-for-profit educational 
and environmental organizations, noncommercial educational 
broadcasting entities, and private sector interests to develop 
programs to provide increased emphasis and financial resources 
for the purpose of attracting students into environmental 
engineering and assisting them in pursuing the programs to 
complete the advanced technical education required to provide 
effective problem solving capabilities for complex environ-
mental issues. 
(10) Federal natural resource agencies such as the United 
States Forest Service have a wide range of environmental 
expertise and a long history of cooperation with educational 
institutions and technology transfer that can assist in further-
ing the purposes of the Act. 
(h) POLICY.—It is the policy of the United States to establish and 
support a program of education on the environment, for students 
and personnel working with students, through activities in schools, 
institutions of higher education, and related educational activities, 
and to encourage postsecondary students to pursue careers related 
to the environment. 
20 use 5502. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
For the purposes of this Act, the term— 
(1) "Administrator" means the Administrator of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency; 
(2) "Agency" means the United States Environmental Protec-
tion Agency; 
(3) "Federal agency" or "agency of the United States" means 
any department, agency or other instrumentality of the Federal 
Government, any independent agency or establishment of the 
Federal Government including any Government corporation; 
(4) "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Department of 
Education; 
(5) "local education agency" means any education agency as 
defined in section 198 of the Elementary and Secondary Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 3381) and shall include any tribal 
education agency; 
(6) "not-for-profit" 
organization means an 
organization, 
association, or institution described in section 501(c)(3) of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, which is exempt from taxation 
pursuant to the provisions of section 501(a) of such Code; 
(7) "noncommercial education broadcasting entities" means 
any noncommercial educational broadcasting station (and/or its 
legal nonprofit affiliates) as defined and licensed by the Federal 
Communications Commission; 
(8) "tribal education agency" means a school or community 
college which is controlled by an Indian tribe, band, or nation, 
including any Alaska Native village, which is recognized as 
eligible for special programs and services provided by the 
PUBLIC LAW 101-619—NOV. 16, 1990 
104 STAT. 3327 
United States to Indians because of their status as Indians and 
which is not administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs; 
(9) "Federal natural resource management agencies" means 
the United States Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Msinage-
ment, the National Park Service, and the Fish and Wildlife 
Service; 
(10) "environmental engineering" means the discipline within 
engineering and science concerned with the development and 
application of scientific and technical solutions to protecting the 
aquatic and atmospheric environment, including, but not lim-
ited to, all phases of water resources plsmning, water supply, 
water treatment, air pollution characterization and control, 
remediation of hazardous substances, environmental transport 
of contaminants in surface and ground water and atmosphere, 
and methods for assessment and control of pollution; 
(11) "environmental education" and "environmental edu-
cation and training" mean educational activities £md training 
activities involving elementary, secondary, and postsecondary 
students, as such terms are defined in the State in which they 
reside, and environmental education personnel, but does not 
include technical training activities directed toward environ-
mental management professionals 
or activities 
primarily 
directed toward the support of noneducational research and 
development; 
(12) "Foundation" means the National Environmental EJdu-
cation and Training Foundation established pursuant to section 
10 of this Act; and 
(13) "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the 
National Environmental Education and Training Foundation. 
SEC. 4. OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION. 
Establishment. 
(a) The Administrator shall establish an Office of Environmental 
Education within the Environmental Protection Agency. 
(b) The Office of Environmental Education shall— 
(1) develop and support programs and related efforts, in con-
sultation and coordination with other Federal agencies, to im-
prove understanding of the natural and built environment, and 
the relationships between humans and their environment, 
including the global aspects of environmental problems; 
(2) support development and the widest possible dissemination 
of model curricula, educational materials, and training pro-
grams for elementary and secondary students and other in-
terested groups, including senior Americans; 
(3) develop and disseminate, in cooperation with other Federal 
agencies, not-for-profit educational and environmental organiza-
tions. State agencies, and noncommercial educational broadcast-
ing entities, environmental education publications and audio/ 
visual and other media materials; 
(4) develop and support environmental education seminars, 
training programs, teleconferences, and workshops for environ-
mental education professionals, as provided for in section 5 of 
this Act; 
(5) manage Federal grant assistance provided to local edu-
cation agencies, institutions of higher education, other not-for-
profit organizations, and noncommercial education broadcasting 
entities, under section 6 of this Act; 
104 STAT. 3328 
PUBLIC LAW 101-619—NOV. 16, 1990 
(6) administer the environmental internship and fellowship 
programs provided for in section 7 of this Act; 
(7) administer the environmental awards program provided 
for in section 8 of this Act; 
(8) provide staff support to the Advisory Council and Task 
Force provided for in section 9 of this Act; 
(9) assess, in coordination with other Federal agencies, the 
demand for professional skills and training needed to respond to 
current and anticipated environmental problems and cooperate 
with appropriate institutions, organizations, and agencies to 
develop training programs, curricula, and continuing education 
programs for teachers, school administrators, and related 
professionals; 
(10) Eissure the coordination of Federal statutes and programs 
administered by the Agency relating to environmental edu-
cation, consistent with the provisions and purposes of those 
programs, and work to reduce duplication or inconsistencies 
within these programs; 
(11) work with the Department of Education, the Federal 
Interagency Committee on Education, and with other Federal 
agencies, including Federal natural resource management agen-
cies, to assure the effective coordination of programs related to 
environmental education, including environmental education 
programs relating to national parks, national forests, and wild-
life refuges; 
(12) provide information on environmental education and 
training programs to local education agencies, State education 
and natural resource agencies, and others; and 
(13) otherwise provide for the implementation of this Act. 
(c) The Office of Environmental Education shall— 
(1) be directed by a Director who shall be a member of the 
Senior Executive Service; 
(2) include a headquarters staff of not less than six and not 
more than ten full-time equivalent employees; and 
(3) be supported by one full-time equivalent employee in each 
Agency regional office. 
20 u s e 5504. 
SEC. 5. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAM. 
(a) There is hereby established an Environmental Education and 
Training Program. The purpose of the program shall be to train 
educational professionals in the development and delivery of 
environmental education and training programs and studies. 
(b) The functions and activities of the program shall include, at a 
minimum— 
(1) clEissroom training in environmental education and studies 
including environmental sciences and theory, educational meth-
ods and practices, environmental career or occupational edu-
cation, and topical environmental issues and problems; 
(2) demonstration of the design and conduct of environmental 
field studies and assessments; 
(3) development of environmental education programs and 
curriculum, including programs and curriculum to meet the 
needs of diverse ethnic and cultural groups; 
Canada. 
(4) sponsorship and management of international exchanges 
Mexico. 
of teachers and other educational professionals between the 
United States, Canada, and Mexico involved in environmental 
programs and issues; 
PUBLIC LAW 101-619—NOV. 16, 1990 
104 STAT. 3329 
(5) maintenance or support of a library of environmental 
education materials, information, literature, and technologies, 
with electronic as well as hard copy accessibility; 
(6) evaluation and dissemination of environmental education 
materials, training methods, and related programs; 
(7) sponsorship of conferences, seminars, and related forums 
for the advancement and development of environmental edu-
cation and training curricula and materials, including inter-
national conferences, seminars, and forums; 
(8) supporting effective partnerships and networks and the 
use of distant learning technologies; and 
(9) such other activities as the Administrator determines to be 
consistent with the policies of this Act. 
Special emphasis should be placed on developing environmental 
education programs, workshops, and training tools that are portable 
and can be broadly disseminated. 
(c)(1) The Administrator shall make a grant on an annual basis to Grant programs, 
an institution of higher education or other institution which is a not-
for-profit institution (or consortia of such institutions) to operate the 
environmental education and training program required by this 
section. 
(2) Any institution of higher education or other institution (or 
consortia of such institutions) which is a not-for-profit organization 
and is interested in receiving a grant under this section may submit 
to the Administrator an application in such form and containing 
such information as the Administrator may require. 
(3) The Administrator shall award grants under this section on 
the basis of— 
(A) the capability to develop environmental education and 
training programs; 
(B) the capability to deliver training to a range of participants 
and in a range of settings; 
(C) the expertise of the staff in a range of appropriate 
disciplines; 
(D) the relative economic effectiveness of the program in 
terms of the ratio of overhead costs to direct services; 
(E) the capability to make effective use of existing national 
environmental education resources and programs; 
(F) the results of any evaluation under paragraph (5) of this 
subsection; and 
(G) such 
other 
factors 
as 
the 
Administrator 
deems 
appropriate. 
(4) No funds made available to carry out this section shall be used 
for the acquisition of real property (including buildings) or the 
construction or substantial modification of any building. 
(5) The Administrator shall establish procedures for a careful and 
detailed review and evaluation of the environmental education and 
training program to determine whether the quality of the program 
being operated by the grantee warrants continued support under 
this section, 
(dXD Individuals eligible for participation in the program are 
teachers, faculty, administrators and related support staff associ-
ated with local education agencies, colleges, and universities, 
employees of State education, environmental protection, and natu-
ral resource departments, and employees of not-for-profit organiza-
tions involved in environmental education activities and issues. 
104 STAT. 3330 
PUBLIC LAW 101-619—NOV. 16, 1990 
(2) Individuals shall be selected for participation in the program 
based on applications which shall be in such form as the Adminis-
trator determines to be appropriate. 
(3) In selecting individuals to participate in the program, the 
Administrator shall provide for a wide geographic representation 
and a mix of individuals, including minorities, working at primary, 
secondary, postsecondary levels, and with appropriate other agen-
cies and departments. 
(4) Individuals selected for participation in the program may be 
provided with a stipend to cover travel and accommodations from 
grant funds awarded pursuant to this section in such amounts as the 
Administrator determines to be appropriate. 
20 use 5505. 
SEC. 6. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION GRANTS. 
(a) The Administrator may enter into a cooperative agreement or 
contract, or provide financial assistance in the form of a grant, to 
support projects to design, demonstrate, or disseminate practices, 
methods, or techniques related to environmental education and 
training. 
(b) Activities eligible for grant support pursuant to this section 
shall include, but not be limited to, environmental education and 
training programs for— 
(1) design, demonstration, or dissemination of environmental 
curricula, including development of educational tools and 
materials; 
(2) design and demonstration of field methods, practices, and 
techniques, including assessment of environmental and eco-
logical conditions and analysis of environmental pollution 
problems; 
(3) projects to understand and assess a specific environmental 
issue or a specific environmental problem; 
(4) provision of training or related education for teachers, 
faculty, or related personnel in a specific geographic area or 
region; and 
(5) design and demonstration of projects to foster inter-
national cooperation in addressing environmental issues and 
problems involving the United States and Canada or Mexico. 
(c) In making grants pursuant to this section, the Administrator 
shall give priority to those proposed projects which will develop— 
(1) a new or significantly improved environmental education 
practice, method, or technique; 
(2) an environmental education practice, method, or tech-
nique which may have wide application; 
(3) an environmental education practice, method, or tech-
nique which addresses a skill or scientific field identified as a 
priority in the report developed pursuant to section 9(d) of this 
Act- and 
(4) an environmental education practice, method, or tech-
nique which addresses an environmental issue which, in the 
judgment of the Administrator, is of a high priority. 
(d) The program established by this section shall include solicita-
tions for projects, selection of suitable projects from among those 
proposed, supervision of such projects, evaluation of the results of 
projects, and dissemination of information on the effectiveness and 
feasibility of the practices, methods, techniques and processes. 
Regulations. 
Within one year of the date of enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
PUBLIC LAW 101-619—NOV. 16, 1990 
104 STAT. 3331 
trator shall publish regulations to assure satisfactory implementa-
tion of each element of the program authorized by this section. 
(e) Within 90 days after the date on which amounts are first 
appropriated for carrying out this Act, and each year thereafter, the 
Administrator shall publish a solicitation for environmental edu-
cation grants. The solicitation notice shall prescribe the information 
to be included in the proposal and other information sufficient to 
permit the Administrator to assess the project. 
(f) Any local education Eigency, college or university. State edu-
cation agency or environmental agency, not-for-profit organization, 
or noncommercial educational broadcasting entity may submit an 
application to the Administrator in response to the solicitations 
required by subsection (e) of this section. 
^) Each project under this section shall be performed by the 
applicant, or by a person satisfactory to the applicant and the 
Administrator. 
(h) Federal funds for any demonstration project under this section 
shall not exceed 75 percent of the total cost of such project. For the 
purposes of this section, the non-Federal share of project costs may 
be provided by inkind contributions and other noncash support. In 
CEises where the Administrator determines that a proposed project 
merits support and cannot be undertaken without a higher rate of 
Federal support, the Administrator may approve grants under this 
section with a matching requirement other than that specified in 
this subsection, including full Federal funding. 
(i) Grants under this section shall not exceed $250,000. In addition, 
25 percent of all funds obligated under this section in a fiscal year 
shall be for grants of not more than $5,000. 
SEC. 7. ENVIRONMENTAL INTERNSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS. 
20 USC 5506. 
(a) The Administrator shall, in consultation with the Office of 
Personnel Management and other appropriate Federal agencies, 
provide for internships by postsecondary level students and fel-
lowships for in-service teachers with agencies of the Federal 
Government. 
(b) The purpose of internships and fellowships pursuant to this 
section shall be to provide college level students and in-service 
teachers with an opportunity to work with professional staff of 
Federal eigencies involved in environmental issues and thereby gain 
an understanding and appreciation of such issues and the skills and 
abilities appropriate to such professions. 
(c) The Administrator shall, to the extent practicable, support not 
less than 250 internships each year and not less than 50 fellowships 
each year. 
(d) The internship and fellowship programs shall be managed by 
the Office of Environmental Education. Interns and fellows may 
serve in appropriate agencies of the Federal Government including, 
but not limited to, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Fish 
and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, the Council on Environmental Quality, Federal 
natural resource management agencies, the Department of Agri-
culture, and the National Science Foundation. 
(e) Interns shall be hired on a temporary, full-time basis for not to 
exceed 6 months and shall be compensated appropriately. Fellows 
shall be hired on a temporary full-time basis for not to exceed 12 
months and shall be compensated appropriately. Federal agencies 
104 STAT. 3332 
PUBLIC LAW 101-619—NOV. 16, 1990 
hiring interns shall provide the funds necessary to support salaries 
and related costs. 
(f)(1) Individuals eligible for participation in the internship pro-
gram are students enrolled at accredited colleges or universities who 
have successfully completed not less than four courses or the equiva-
lent in environmental sciences or studies, as determined by the 
Administrator. 
(2) Individuals eligible for participation in the fellowship program 
are in-service teachers who are currently employed by a local 
education agency and have not less than 2 years experience in 
teaching environmental education, environmental sciences, or 
related courses. 
(g) Individuals shall be selected for internships and fellowships 
based on applications which shall be in such form as the Adminis-
trator considers appropriate. 
(h) In selecting individuals for internships and fellowships, the 
Administrator shall provide for wide geographic, cultural, and 
minority representation. 
20 use 5507. 
SEC. 8. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AWARDS. 
(a) The Administrator shall provide for a series of national awards 
recognizing outstanding contributions to environmental education. 
(b) In addition to such other awards £is the Administrator may 
provide for, national environmental awards shall include— 
(1) The "Theodore Roosevelt Award" to be given in recogni-
tion of an outstanding career in environmental education, 
teaching, or administration; 
(2) The "Henry David Thoreau Award" to be given in recogni-
tion of an outstanding contribution to literature on the natural 
environment and environmental pollution problems; 
(3) The "Rachael Carson Award" to be given in recognition of 
an outstanding contribution in print, film, or broadcast media 
to public education and information on environmental issues or 
problems; and 
(4) The "Gifford Pinchot Award" to be given in recognition of 
an outstanding contribution to education and training concern-
ing forestry and natural resource management, including mul-
tiple use and sustained yield land management. 
(c) Recipients of education awards provided for in subsection (b) 
shall be nominated by the Environmental Education Advisory Coun-
cil provided for in section 9 of this Act. 
(d) The Administrator may provide for the "President's Environ-
mental Youth Awards" to be given to young people in grades 
kindergarten through twelfth for an outstanding project to promote 
local environmental awareness. 
(e)(1) The Chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality, on 
behalf of the President, is authorized to develop and administer an 
awards program to recognize elementary and secondary education 
teachers and their local educational agencies who demonstrate 
excellence in advancing environmental education through innova-
tive approaches. One teacher, and the local education agency 
employing such teacher, from each State, including the District of 
Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, are eligible to be 
selected for an award pursuant to this subsection. 
(2) The Chairman is authorized to provide a cash award of up to 
$2,500 to each teacher selected to receive an award pursuant to this 
PUBLIC LAW 101-619—NOV. 16,1990 
104 STAT. 3333 
section, which shall be used to further the recipient's professional 
development in environmental education. 
(3) The Chairman is also authorized to provide a cash award of up 
to $2,500 to the local education agency emplojdng any teacher 
selected to receive an award pursuant to this section, which shall be 
used to fund environmental educational activities and programs. 
Such awards may not be used for construction costs, general 
expenses, salaries, bonuses, or other administrative expenses. 
SEC. 9. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ADVISORY COUNCIL AND TASK 
Establishment. 
FORCE. 
20 u s e 5508. 
(a) There is hereby established a National Environmental Edu-
cation Advisory Council and a Federal Task Force on Environ-
mental Education. 
(b)(1) The Advisory Council shall advise, consult with, and make 
recommendations to, the Administrator on matters relating to 
activities, functions, and policies of the Agency under this Act. With 
respect to such matters, the Council shall be the exclusive advisory 
entity for the Administrator. The Council may exchange informa-
tion with other Advisory Councils established by the Administrator. 
The Office of Environmental Education shall provide staff support 
to the Council. 
(2) The Advisory Council shall consist of 11 members appointed by 
the Administrator after consultation with the Secretary. Two mem-
bers shall be appointed to represent primary and secondary edu-
cation (one of whom shall be a classroom teacher); two members 
shall be appointed to represent colleges and universities; two mem-
bers shall be appointed to represent not-for-profit organizations 
involved in environmental education; two members shall be ap-
pointed to represent State departments of education and natural 
resources; two representatives shall be appointed to represent busi-
ness and industry; and one representative shall be appointed to 
represent senior Americans. A representative of the Secretary shall 
serve as an ex officio member of the Advisory Council. The conflict 
of interest provision at section 208(a) of title 18, United States Code, 
shall not apply to members' participation in particular matters 
which affect the financial interests of employers which they rep-
resent pursuant to this subsection. 
(3) The Administrator shall provide that members of the Council 
represent the various geographic regions of the country, has mi-
nority representation, and that the professional backgrounds of the 
members include scientific, policy, and other appropriate disciplines. 
(4) Each member of the Advisory Council shall hold office for a 
term of 3 years, except that— 
(A) any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to 
the expiration of the term for which his predecessor was ap-
pointed shall be appointed for the remainder of such term; and 
(B) the terms of the members first taking office shall expire as 
follows: four shall expire 3 years after the date of enactment of 
this Act, four shall expire 2 years after such date, and three 
shall expire 1 year after such date, as designated by the 
Administrator at the time of appointment. 
(5) Members of the Advisory Council appointed under this section 
shall, while attending meetings of the Council or otherwise engaged 
in business of the Council, receive compensation and allowances at a 
rate to be fixed by the Administrator, but not exceeding the daily 
equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay in effect for grade GS-18 
39-194 O - 91 - 33 : QL 3 Part 4 
104 STAT. 3334 
PUBLIC LAW 101-619—NOV. 16, 1990 
Public 
information. 
Reports. 
of the Greneral Schedule for each day (including travel time) during 
which they are engaged in the actual performance of duties vested 
in the Council. While away from their homes or regular places of 
business in the performance of services for the Council, members of 
the Council shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in 
lieu of subsistence, in the same manner as persons employed inter-
mittently in the Government service are allowed expenses under 
section 5703(b) of title 5 of the United States Code. 
(6) Section 14(a) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act relating to 
termination, shall not apply to the Advisory Council. 
(cXD The Federal Task Force on Environmental Education shall 
advise, consult with and make recommendations to the Adminis-
trator on matters relating to implementation of this Act and assure 
the coordination of such implementation activities with related 
activities of other Federal agencies. 
(2) Membership of the Task Force shall include the— 
(A) Department of Education, 
(B) Department of the Interior, 
(C) Department of Agriculture, 
(D) the Environmental Protection Agency, 
(E) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Achninistration, 
(F) Council on Environmental Quality, 
(G) Tennessee Valley Authority, and 
(H) National Science Foundation. 
(3) The Environmental Protection Agency shall chair the Task 
Force. 
(4) The Administrator may ask other Federal agencies to partici-
pate in the meetings and activities of the Task Force where the 
Administrator finds it appropriate in carrying out the requirements 
of this Act. 
(dXD The Advisory Council shall, after providing for public review 
and comment, submit to the Congress, within 24 months of enact-
ment of this Act and biennially thereafter, a report which shall— 
(A) describe and assess the extent and quality of environ-
mental education in the Nation; 
(B) provide a general description of the activities conducted 
pursuant to this Act and related authorities over the previous 
2-year period; 
(C) summarize major obstacles to improving environmental 
education (including environmental education programs relat-
ing to national parks and wildlife refuges) and make rec-
ommendations for addressing such obstacles; 
(D) identify personnel skills, education, and training needed 
to respond to current and anticipated environmental problems 
and make recommendations for actions to assure sufficient 
educational and training opportunities in these professions; and 
(E) describe and assess the extent and quality of environ-
mental education programs available to senior Americans and 
make recommendations thereon; describe the various Federal 
agency programs to further senior environmental education; 
and evaluate and make recommendations as to how such edu-
cational apparatuses could best be coordinated with nonprofit 
senior organizations across the Nation, and environmental edu-
cation institutions and organizations now in existence. 
(2) The Federal Task Force on Environmental Education shall 
review and comment on a draft of the report to Congress. 
PUBLIC LAW 101-619—NOV. 16, 1990 
104 STAT. 3335 
SEC. 10. THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING 
FOUNDATION. 
(a) ESTABUSHMENT AND PURPOSES.— 
(1) EsTABUSHMENT.—(A) There is hereby established the Na-
tional Environmental Education and Training Foundation. The 
Foundation is established in order to extend the contribution of 
environmental education and training to meeting critical 
environmental protection needs, both in this country and inter-
nationally; to facilitate the cooperation, coordination, and 
contribution of public and private resources to create an 
environmentally advanced educational system; and to foster an 
open and effective partnership among Federal, State, and local 
government, business, industry, academic institutions, commu-
nity based environmental groups, and international organiza-
tions. 
(B) The Foundation is a charitable and nonprofit corporation 
whose income is exempt from tax, and donations to which are 
tax deductible to the same extent as those organizations listed 
pursuant to section 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. 
The Foundation is not an Eigency or establishment of the United 
States. 
(2) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the Foundation are— 
(A) subject to the limitation contained in the final sen-
tence of subsection (d) herein, to encourage, accept, lever-
age, and administer private gifts for the benefit of, or in 
connection with, the environmental education and training 
activities and services of the United States Environmental 
Protection Agency; 
(B) to conduct such other environmental education activi-
ties as will further the development of an environmentally 
conscious and responsible public, a well-trained and 
environmentally 
literate workforce, and an environ-
mentally advanced educational system; 
(C) to participate with foreign entities and individuals in 
the conduct and coordination of activities that will further 
opportunities for environmental education and training to 
address environmental issues and problems involving the 
United States and Canada or Mexico. 
(3) PROGRAMS.—The Foundation will develop, support, and/or 
operate programs and projects to educate and train educational 
and environmental professionals, and to assist them in the 
development and delivery of environmental education and 
training programs and studies. 
(b) BOARD OF DIRECTORS.— 
(1) ESTABUSHMENT AND MEMBERSHIP.—(A) The Foundation 
shall have a governing Board of Directors (hereafter referred to 
in this section as "the Board"), which shall consist of 13 direc-
tors, each of whom shall be knowledgeable or experienced in the 
environment, education and/or training. The Board shall over-
see the activities of the Foundation and shall assure that the 
activities of the Foundation are consistent with the environ-
mental and education goals and policies of the Environmental 
Protection Agency and with the intents and purposes of this 
Act. The membership of the Board, to the extent practicable, 
shall represent diverse points of view relating to environmental 
education and training. 
20 use 5509. 
Inter-
governmental 
relations. 
Nonprofit 
organizations. 
Taxes. 
104 STAT. 3336 
PUBLIC LAW 101-619—NOV. 16, 1990 
Federal 
Roister, 
publication. 
(B) The Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
Agency shall, pursuant to paragraph (2), appoint the Director of 
the Office of Environmental Education established pursuant to 
section 3 of this Act as an ex-officio member of the Board. Ex 
officio membership shall also be offered to other Federal agen-
cies or departments with an interest and/or experience in 
environmental education and training. 
(C) Appointment to the Board shall not constitute employ-
ment by, or the holding of an office of, the United States for the 
purposes of any Federal law. 
(2) APPOINTMENT AND TERMS.—(A) Members of the Board shall 
be appointed by the Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency. 
(B) Within 90 days of the date of the enactment of this Act, 
and as appropriate thereafter, the Administrator shall publish 
in the Federal Register an announcement of appointments of 
Directors of the Board. At the same time, the Administrator 
shall transmit a copy of such announcement to the Education 
and Labor Committee and the Committee on Energy and Com-
merce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Environment and Public Works of the United States Senate. 
Such appointments shall become final and effective 90 days 
after publication in the Federal Register. 
(C) The directors shall be appointed for terms of 4 years, 
except that the Administrator, in making the initial appoint-
ments to the Board, shall appoint 5 directors to a term of 2 
years, 4 directors to a term of 3 years, and 4 directors to a term 
of 4 years. The Administrator shall appoint an individual to 
serve as a director in the event of a vacancy on the Board within 
60 days of said vacancy in the manner in which the original 
appointment was made. No individual may serve more than 2 
consecutive terms as a director. 
(3) CHAIR.—The Chair shall be elected by the Board from its 
members for a 2-year term. 
(4) QUORUM.—A majority of the current membership of the 
Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. 
(5) MEETINGS.—The Board shall meet at the call of the Chair 
at least twice a year. If a Director misses three consecutive 
regularly scheduled meetings, that individual may be removed 
from the Board and that vacancy filled in accordance with this 
subsection. 
(6) REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES.—Members of the Board 
shall serve without pay, but may be reimbursed for the actual 
and necessary traveling and subsistence expenses incurred by 
them in the performance of the duties of the Foundation. 
(7) GENERAL POWERS.—(A) The Board may complete the 
organization of the Foundation by— 
(i) appointing officers and employees; 
(ii) adopting a constitution and bylaws consistent with the 
purposes of the Foundation and the provisions of this sec-
tion; and 
(iii) undertaking such other acts as may be necessary to 
carry out the provisions of this section. 
(B) The following limitations apply with respect to the 
appointment of officers and employees of the Foundation: 
(i) Officers and employees may not be appointed until the 
Foundation has sufficient funds to pay for their service. 
PUBLIC LAW 101-619—NOV. 16, 1990 
104 STAT. 3337 
Officers and employees of the Foundation shall be ap-
pointed without regard to the provisions of title 5, of the 
United States Code, governing appointments in the 
competitive service, and may be paid without regard to the 
provisions of chapter 51 or subchapter III of chapter 53 of 
such title relating to classification and General Schedule 
pay rates, except that no individual so appointed may 
receive pay in excess of the annual rate of basic pay in 
effect for grade GS-18 of the General Schedule. 
(ii) The first officer or employee appointed by the Board 
shall be the Executive Director of the Foundation who— 
(I) shall serve, at the direction of the Board, as the 
Secretary of the Board and the Foundation's chief 
executive officer; and 
(II) shall be experienced in matters relating to 
environmental education and training. 
(c) RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE FOUNDATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Foundation— 
(A) shall have perpetual succession; 
(B) may conduct business throughout the several States, 
territories, and possessions of the United States and abroad; 
(C) shall have its principal offices in the District of 
Columbia or in the greater metropolitan area; and 
(D) shall at all times maintain a designated agent au-
thorized to accept service of process for the Foundation. 
The service of notice to, or service of notice upon, the agent 
required under paragraph (4), or mailed to the business address 
of such agent, shall be deemed as service upon or notice to the 
Foundation. 
(2) SEAL.—The Foundation shall have an official seal selected 
by the Board which shall be judicially noticed. 
(3) POWERS.—To carry out its purposes under section 10(a) of 
this Act, the Foundation shall have, in addition to the powers 
^ 
otherwise given it under this section, the usual powers of a 
corporation acting as a trustee, including the power— 
(A) to accept, receive, solicit, hold, administer, and use 
any gift, devise, or bequest, either absolutely or in trust, of 
real or personal property or any income therefrom or other 
interest therein; 
(B) to acquire by purchase or exchange any real or 
personal property or interest therein; 
(C) unless otherwise required by the instrument of trans-
fer, to sell, donate, lease, invest, reinvest, retain, or other-
wise dispose of any property or income therefrom; 
(D) to sue, or to be sued, and complain or defend itself in 
any court of competent jurisdiction, except that the Direc-
tors of the Board shall not be personally liable, except for 
gross negligence; 
(E) to enter into contracts or other arrangements with 
public agencies and private organizations and persons and 
to make such payments as may be necessary to carry out its 
functions; and 
(F) to do any and all acts necessary and proper to carry 
out the purposes of the Foundation. 
(d) CONDITIONS ON DONATIONS.— 
(1) For the purposes of this section, a gift, devise, or bequest 
may be accepted by the Foundation even though it is encum-
104 STAT. 3338 
PUBLIC LAW 101-619—NOV. 16, 1990 
bered, restricted, or subject to beneficiEil interests of private 
persons if any current future interest therein is for the benefit 
of the Foundation. 
(2) No donation, gift, devise, bequest, property (either real or 
personal), voluntary services, or any other thing of value may 
be accepted by the Foundation if it— 
(A) is contingent upon the transmission by the Founda-
tion of materials or information prepared by the donor or a 
third party in such a fashion as to convey a particular point 
of view favorable to the economic interests of the donor or 
its constituents or associates; or 
^ 
(B) in the judgment of the Board carries with it an 
explicit or implied requirement on the part of the Founda-
tion to do a specific act or make general representations 
which are to the benefit of the donor and which are not 
consistent with the environmental and education goals and 
policies of the Environmental Protection Agency and with 
the intents and purposes of this Act. 
(3) No materials bearing "logos", letterhead or other means of 
identification associated with a donor or third party may be 
transmitted by the Foundation, for use in environmental edu-
cation and training except as required pursuant to subsection 
(e) 
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES AND SUPPORT.—Subject 
to 
the 
requirements of this subsection, the Administrator may provide 
personnel, facilities, and other administrative services to the 
Foundation, including reimbursement of expenses under subsection 
(bX6) of this section, not to exceed then current Federal Government 
per diem rates, for a period of up to 4 years from the date of 
enactment of this Act, and may accept reimbursement therefor, to 
be deposited in the Treasury to the credit of the appropriations then 
current and chargeable for the costs of providing such services. With 
respect to personnel, the Administrator may provide no more than 1 
full-time employee to serve the Foundation in a policy capacity, and 
may provide clerical and other support staff at a level equivalent to 
2 full-time equivalent employees to the Foundation, for a period not 
to exceed 2 years from the date of initial assignment of any person-
nel for this purpose. 
(f) REPORT.—The Foundation shall, as soon as practicable after the 
end of each fiscal year, transmit to Congress a report of its proceed-
ings and activities during the year, including a full and complete 
statement of its receipts, expenditures, and investments. 
(g) VOLUNTEER STATUS.—The Administrator may accept, without 
regard to the civil service classification laws, rules, or regulations, 
the services of the Foundation, the Board, and the officers and 
employees of the Board, without compensation from the Environ-
mental Protection Agency, as volunteers in the performance of the 
functions authorized herein, in the manner provided for under this 
section. 
(h) AUDITS AND PETITION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR EQUI-
TABLE REUEF.—For purposes of the Act entitled "An Act for audit of 
accounts of private corporations established under Federal law", 
approved August 30, 1964 (Public Law 88-504; 36 U.S.C. 1101-1103), 
the Foundation shall be treated as a private corporation established 
under Federal law. 
(i) UNITED STATES RELEASE FROM LIABIUTY.—The United States 
shall not be liable for any debts, defaults, acts, or omissions of the 
PUBLIC LAW 101-619—NOV. 16,1990 
104 STAT. 3339 
Foundation nor shall the full faith and credit of the United States 
extend to any obligation of the Foundation. 
(j) AMENDMENT AND REPEAL.—The Congress expressly reserves the 
right to repeal or amend this section at any time. 
SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION. 
20 USC 5510. 
(a) There is hereby authorized to be appropriated to the Environ-
mental Protection Agency to carry out this Act not to exceed 
$12,000,000 for each fiscal year 1992 and 1998, not to exceed 
$18,000,000 for fiscal year 1994, and not to exceed $14,000,000 for 
each fiscal year 1995 and 1996. 
(b) Of such sums appropriated in a fiscal year, 25 percent shall be 
available for the activities of the Office of Environmental Education, 
25 percent shall be available for the operation of the environmental 
education and training program, 38 percent shall be available for 
environmental education grants, 10 percent shall be available for 
' 
support of the National Environmental Education and Training 
Foundation, and 2 percent shall be available to support awards 
pursuant to section 8(e) of this Act. 
(c) Funds appropriated pursuant to this section may be made 
available to the National Environmental Ekiucation and Training 
Foundation to— 
(1) match partially or wholly the amount or value of contribu-
tions (whether in currency, services, or property) made to the 
Foundation by private persons and State and local govern-
ments; and 
(2) provide administrative services under section 10(d) of this 
Act: 
Provided, That the Administrator determines that such funds will 
be used to carry out the statutory purposes of the Foundation in a 
manner consistent with the goals, objectives and programs of this 
Act. 
Approved November 16, 1990. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 3176: 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 136 (1990): 
Oct. 26, considered and passed Senate and House. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 26 (1990): 
Nov. 16, Presidential remarks.