July 28, 2009
To authorize the designation of National Environmental Research Parks by the Secretary of Energy, and for other purposes
Passed the House on July 21, 2009
Reported (as amended) by the Full Committee on June 24, 2009
Reported (as amended) by the Energy and Environment Subcommittee on June 16, 2009
Introduced in the House on June 4, 2009
Section 1. Findings
Explains the origins and purposes of NERPs.
Section 2. National Environmental Research Parks
Section 2 instructs the Secretary to designate six existing NERPs as permanent outdoor research reserves, and identifies research activities that may be conducted at the NERPs.
The section also instructs the Secretary to enter into a cooperative agreement with a university or consortia in the region to engage broader regional expertise in ecology and environmental research, education, and outreach activities. It identifies education and outreach activities that may be supported by the NERPs.
Section 2 directs the Secretary to designate a NERP Coordinator within the DOE Office of Science to coordinate research activities among the NERPs, ensure that information on best practices is shared among the sites, and serve as the liaison to other Federal agencies.
The section authorizes $5 million per year for each Park for a total of $30 million per year from FY 2010 through FY 2014.
Section 3. Savings
Section 3 clarifies that nothing in the Act shall be construed to limit the activities that the Federal Government may carry out or authorize on a site on which a NERP is located.
Section 4. Summer Institutes Program
Section 4 clarifies that the National Environmental Research Parks may be utilized to provide educational opportunities through the Summer Institutes program authorized in Section 3815 of the Department of Energy Science Education Enhancement Act.
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