§5508 Environmental Education Advisory Council and Task Force

Summary

Creates a National Environmental Education Advisory Council and a Federal Task Force on Environmental Education and requires them to give advice to the Administrator about the Agency’s environmental education work. The Advisory Council has 11 members chosen by the Administrator after talking with the Secretary. The members represent primary and secondary education (one must be a classroom teacher), colleges and universities, nonprofit environmental education groups, State education and natural resource departments, business and industry, and senior Americans. A representative of the Secretary is an ex officio member. The usual criminal conflict-of-interest rule (section 208(a) of title 18) does not stop members from taking part in matters that affect the employers they represent. Members must reflect the country’s regions, include minorities, and bring scientific, policy, and other relevant backgrounds. Terms are 3 years (vacancies are filled for the rest of the term); the first members’ terms were staggered to end 1, 2, or 3 years after November 16, 1990. Members may be paid for Council work up to the daily equivalent of the GS–18 annual rate and get travel expenses under section 5703(b) of title 5. The Council does not end under section 1013(a) of title 5. The Federal Task Force must advise the Administrator on carrying out the law and help coordinate with other Federal agencies. Its members include the Department of Education; Department of the Interior; Department of Agriculture; the Environmental Protection Agency; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; the Council on Environmental Quality; the Tennessee Valley Authority; and the National Science Foundation. The EPA chairs the Task Force, and the Administrator can invite other agencies as needed. After public review and comment, the Advisory Council must send a report to Congress within 24 months of November 16, 1990 and every two years after that. The report must describe and assess environmental education nationwide, summarize related activities over the previous two years, list major obstacles and recommendations, identify needed personnel skills and training and how to meet them, and describe and evaluate programs for senior Americans and how Federal and nonprofit efforts could be coordinated. The Task Force must review and comment on the report draft.