Overview. This Act authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct renewable resources research activities on national forest and rangelands, including research relating to fish and wildlife and their habitats.

Findings/Policy. The Act contains numerous Congressional findings concerning research needs on national forest and rangeland, including findings that:   scientific discoveries and technological advances are necessary for the protection and management of the nation's renewable resources; deforestation threatens renewable resources around the world and thereby threatens people, the global environment and the world economy. The purpose of the Act is to authorize the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretary) to implement a comprehensive program of forest and rangeland renewable resources research and to disseminate the findings of that research. The Act authorizes the Secretary to expand research activities to encompass international forestry and natural resource issues on a global scale. § 1641.

Renewable Resources Research. The Act authorizes the Secretary to conduct investigations and activities to obtain and disseminate scientific information about protecting, managing and using renewable resources. The Act contains an extensive list of research activities that the Secretary must undertake, including activities related to:   managing vegetation on forests and rangelands for timber, forage, water, wilderness, fish and wildlife, and other purposes; maintaining and improving wildlife and fish habitats; protecting threatened and endangered flora and fauna.

To ensure the availability of adequate data for development of the Renewable Resource Assessment required under the National Forest Management Act of 1976, the Secretary must prepare and maintain a comprehensive survey and analysis of the demand for and supply of renewable forest and rangeland resources. The Act authorizes annual appropriations of $10,000,000 for development and implementation of improved survey methods and analysis of forest inventory information. § 1642.

Forest Ecosystems and Atmospheric Pollution Research. The Secretary, acting through the U.S. Forest Service, must establish a ten-year research program to investigate the effects of atmospheric pollution on forest ecosystems. The Act lists the specific goals of the program, including developing recommendations for solving pollution problems, and sets forth several reporting requirements, including submission of annual updates to Congress. § 1642.

General Provisions. In implementing this Act the Secretary is authorized to:   establish a system of research stations, experimental laboratories and areas, and other research facilities; accept and use gifts, donations and bequests; cooperate with other agencies and organizations, both public and private; issue rules and regulations. The Secretary may make competitive grants to further the research activities authorized by this Act. The Secretary must use all means available to disseminate the knowledge and technology gained from research activities conducted under the Act, and must avoid unnecessary duplication of effort with other agencies and organizations. The Act authorizes annual appropriations as needed to implement this Act. Appropriated sums remain available until expended. §§ 1643-1647.

Recycling Research. Congress found that:   the U.S. is amassing vast amounts of solid wastes, which present an increasing problem for municipalities in locating suitable disposal sites; a large proportion of these wastes consists of paper and other wood wastes, less than one-third of which are recycled; additional recycling would result in reduced solid waste landfill disposal and a reduced rate of removing standing timber from forest lands; additional research is necessary to develop technological advances for increased recycling of paper and wood wastes and use of products containing recycled materials. The Act authorizes the Secretary to conduct and support an expanded wood fiber recycling research program. The Secretary must seek the cooperation and support of private industry and ensure that the goals of the program include the application of the research to industry and consumer needs. To implement this program, the Act authorizes annual appropriations of $10,000,000 for a five-year period beginning October 1, 1990. § 1648.

Forestry Student Grant Program. The Secretary must establish a competitive grant program for students to encourage professional education in the areas of forestry, natural resources and environmental science. The Act authorizes appropriations as necessary to support the program. § 1649.