7 USC Ch. 96: GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE

From Title 7—AGRICULTURE

CHAPTER 96—GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE

Sec.

6701.
Global Climate Change Program.

6702.
Study of global climate change, agriculture, and forestry.

6703.
Repealed.

6704.
Office of International Forestry.

6705.
Line item.

6706.
Institutes of Tropical Forestry.

6707.
Urban forestry demonstration projects.

6708.
Biomass energy demonstration projects.

6709.
Interagency cooperation to maximize biomass growth.

6710.
Authorization of appropriations.

6711.
Carbon cycle research.

        

§6701. Global Climate Change Program

(a) Establishment

For the purpose of having within the Department of Agriculture a focal point for coordinating all issues of climate change, the Secretary of Agriculture (hereafter in this chapter referred to as the "Secretary") shall establish a Global Climate Change Program (hereafter in this section referred to as the "Program"). The Secretary shall designate a director of the Program who shall be responsible to the Secretary for carrying out the duties specified in subsections (b) and (c).

(b) General duties

The Director shall—

(1) coordinate policy analysis, long range planning, research, and response strategies relating to climate change issues;

(2) provide liaison with other Federal agencies, through the Office of Science and Technology Policy, regarding issues of climate change;

(3) inform the Department of scientific developments and policy issues relating to the effects of climate change on agriculture and forestry, including broader issues that affect the impact of climate change on the farms and forests of the United States;

(4) recommend to the Secretary alternative courses of action with which to respond to such scientific developments and policy issues; and

(5) ensure that recognition of the potential for climate change is fully integrated into the research, planning, and decision-making processes of the Department.

(c) Specific responsibilities

The Director shall—

(1) coordinate the global climate change studies required by section 6702 of this title;

(2) provide, through such other agencies as the Secretary determines appropriate, competitive grants for research in climatology relating to the potential impact of climate change on agriculture;

(3) coordinate the participation of the Department in interagency climate-related activities;

(4) consult with the National Academy of Sciences and private, academic, State, and local groups with respect to climate research and related activities;

(5) represent the Department to the Office of Science and Technology Policy and coordinate the activities of the Department in response to requirements of this chapter;

(6) represent the Department on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; and

(7) review all Department budget items relating to climate change issues, including specifically the research budget to be submitted by the Secretary to the Office of Science and Technology Policy and the Office of Management and Budget.

(Pub. L. 101–624, title XXIV, §2402, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4058.)

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (c)(5), was in the original "this title", meaning title XXIV of Pub. L. 101–624, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4058, known as the Global Climate Change Prevention Act of 1990, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of title XXIV to the Code, see Short Title note below and Tables.

Short Title

Pub. L. 101–624, title XXIV, §2401, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4058, provided that: "This title [enacting this chapter and amending sections 1601 and 1602 of Title 16, Conservation] may be cited as the 'Global Climate Change Prevention Act of 1990'."

§6702. Study of global climate change, agriculture, and forestry

(a) Crops

(1) In general

The Secretary shall study the effects of global climate change on agriculture and forestry. The study shall, at a minimum address—

(A) the effects of simultaneous increases in temperature and carbon dioxide on crops of economic significance;

(B) the effects of more frequent or more severe weather events on such crops;

(C) the effects of potential changes in hydrologic regimes on current crop yields;

(D) the economic effects of widespread and increased drought frequency in the south, midwest, and plains States; and

(E) changes in pest problems due to higher temperatures.

(2) Further studies

If the results of the study conducted under paragraph (1) warrant, the Secretary shall conduct further studies that address the means of mitigating the effects of global climate change on crops of economic significance that shall, at a minimum—

(A) identify whether climate change tolerance can be bred into these crops, the amount of time necessary for any such breeding, and the effects on the income of farmers;

(B) evaluate existing genetic resource and breeding programs for crops for their ability to develop new varieties that can tolerate potential climate changes; and

(C) assess the potential for the development of crop varieties that are tolerant to climate changes and other environmental stresses, such as drought, pests, and salinity.

(b) Forests

The Secretary shall conduct a study on the emissions of methane, nitrous oxide, and hydrocarbons from tropical and temperate forests, the manner in which such emissions may affect global climate change; the manner in which global climate change may affect such emissions; and the manner in which such emissions may be reduced through management practices. The study shall, at a minimum—

(1) obtain measurements of nitrous oxide, methane, and nonmethane hydrocarbons from tropical and temperate forests;

(2) determine the manner in which the nitrous oxide, methane, and nonmethane hydrocarbon emissions from temperate and tropical forest systems will respond due to climate change; and

(3) identify and address alternative management strategies for temperate and tropical forests that may mitigate any negative effects of global climate change.

(c) Reports

The Secretary shall submit reports of the studies conducted under subsections (a) and (b) within 3 and 6 years, respectively, after November 28, 1990, to the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate. In addition, interim reports regarding such studies shall be provided by the Secretary to such Committees annually, with recommendations for actions which may be taken to mitigate the negative effects of global climate change and to adapt to global climate changes and related phenomena.

(Pub. L. 101–624, title XXIV, §2403, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4059.)

§6703. Repealed. Pub. L. 104–127, title VIII, §868, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1175

Section, Pub. L. 101–624, title XXIV, §2404, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4060, required Secretary of Agriculture to establish technical advisory committee to provide advice to Secretary concerning major study areas required under this chapter.

§6704. Office of International Forestry

(a) Establishment

The Secretary, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall establish an Office of International Forestry within the Forest Service within six months after November 28, 1990.

(b) Deputy Chief designation

The Chief shall appoint a Deputy Chief for International Forestry.

(c) Duties

The Deputy Chief shall—

(1) be responsible for the international forestry activities of the Forest Service;

(2) coordinate the activities of the Forest Service in implementing the provisions of this chapter; and

(3) serve as Forest Service liaison to the director for the program established pursuant to section 6701 of this title.

(d) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated for each of fiscal years 1996 through 2018 such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.

(Pub. L. 101–624, title XXIV, §2405, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4060; Pub. L. 104–127, title III, §371, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1015; Pub. L. 107–171, title VIII, §8102, May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 475; Pub. L. 110–234, title VIII, §8202, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1290; Pub. L. 110–246, §4(a), title VIII, §8202, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2051; Pub. L. 113–79, title VIII, §8202, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 914.)

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in subsec. (c)(2), was in the original "this title", meaning title XXIV of Pub. L. 101–624, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4058, known as the Global Climate Change Prevention Act of 1990, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of title XXIV to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 6701 of this title and Tables.

Codification

Pub. L. 110–234 andPub. L. 110–246 made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by Pub. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.

Amendments

2014—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 113–79 substituted "2018" for "2012".
2008—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 110–246, §8202, substituted "2012" for "2007".
2002—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 107–171 substituted "2007" for "2002".
1996—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 104–127 added subsec. (d).

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Amendment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of this title.

§6705. Line item

The President's proposed budget to Congress for the first fiscal year beginning after November 28, 1990, and for each subsequent fiscal year shall specifically identify funds to be spent on Forest Service international cooperation and assistance.

(Pub. L. 101–624, title XXIV, §2406, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4060.)

§6706. Institutes of Tropical Forestry

The Secretary is authorized and directed to establish an Institute of Tropical Forestry in Puerto Rico and an Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry (hereafter in this section referred to as the "Institutes"). The Institutes shall conduct research on forest management and natural resources that shall include—

(1) management and development of tropical forests;

(2) the relationship between climate change and tropical forests;

(3) threatened and endangered species;

(4) recreation and tourism;

(5) development of tropical forest resources on a sustained yield basis;

(6) techniques to monitor the health and productivity of tropical forests;

(7) tropical forest regeneration and restoration; and

(8) the effects of tropical deforestation on biodiversity, global climate, wildlife, soils, and water.

(Pub. L. 101–624, title XXIV, §2407, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4060.)

§6707. Urban forestry demonstration projects

The Secretary is authorized to undertake, through the Forest Service's Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry program, a study and pilot implementation project to demonstrate the benefits of retaining and integrating forests in urban development. The focus of such a study and implementation project should be to protect the environment and associated natural resource values, for current and future generations.

(Pub. L. 101–624, title XXIV, §2409, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4061.)

§6708. Biomass energy demonstration projects

The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, may carry out projects that demonstrate the potential of short-rotation silvicultural methods to produce wood for electricity production and industrial energy needs. In carrying out such projects, the Secretary shall cooperate with private industries, Federal and State agencies, and other organizations.

(Pub. L. 101–624, title XXIV, §2410, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4061.)

§6709. Interagency cooperation to maximize biomass growth

The Secretary may enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Defense to—

(1) conduct a study of reforestation and improved management of Department of Defense military installations and lands; and

(2) develop a program to manage such forests and lands so as to maximize their potential for biomass growth and sequestering carbon dioxide.

(Pub. L. 101–624, title XXIV, §2411, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4062.)

§6710. Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 1991 through 1997, to carry out this chapter.

(Pub. L. 101–624, title XXIV, §2412, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4062; Pub. L. 104–127, title VIII, §843, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 1170.)

References in Text

This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original "this title", meaning title XXIV of Pub. L. 101–624, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 4058, known as the Global Climate Change Prevention Act of 1990, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of title XXIV to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 6701 of this title and Tables.

Amendments

1996—Pub. L. 104–127 substituted "1997" for "1996".

§6711. Carbon cycle research

(a) In general

To the extent funds are made available for this purpose, the Secretary shall provide a grant to the Consortium for Agricultural Soils Mitigation of Greenhouse Gases, acting through Kansas State University, to develop, analyze, and implement, through the land grant universities described in subsection (b), carbon cycle research at the national, regional, and local levels.

(b) Land grant universities

The land grant universities referred to in subsection (a) are the following:

(1) Colorado State University.

(2) Iowa State University.

(3) Kansas State University.

(4) Michigan State University.

(5) Montana State University.

(6) Purdue University.

(7) Ohio State University.

(8) Texas A&M University.

(9) University of Nebraska.

(c) Use

Land grant universities described in subsection (b) shall use funds made available under this section—

(1) to conduct research to improve the scientific basis of using land management practices to increase soil carbon sequestration, including research on the use of new technologies to increase carbon cycle effectiveness, such as biotechnology and nanotechnology;

(2) to enter into partnerships to identify, develop, and evaluate agricultural best practices, including partnerships between—

(A) Federal, State, or private entities; and

(B) the Department of Agriculture;

(3) to develop necessary computer models to predict and assess the carbon cycle;

(4) to estimate and develop mechanisms to measure carbon levels made available as a result of—

(A) voluntary Federal conservation programs;

(B) private and Federal forests; and

(C) other land uses;

(5) to develop outreach programs, in coordination with Extension Services, to share information on carbon cycle and agricultural best practices that is useful to agricultural producers; and

(6) to collaborate with the Great Plains Regional Earth Science Application Center to develop a space-based carbon cycle remote sensing technology program to—

(A) provide, on a near-continual basis, a real-time and comprehensive view of vegetation conditions;

(B) assess and model agricultural carbon sequestration; and

(C) develop commercial products.

(d) Cooperative research

(1) In general

Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Secretary, in cooperation with departments and agencies participating in the U.S. Global Change Research Program (which may use any of their statutory authorities) and with eligible entities, may carry out research to promote understanding of—

(A) the flux of carbon in soils and plants (including trees); and

(B) the exchange of other greenhouse gases from agriculture.

(2) Eligible entities

Research under this subsection may be carried out through the competitive awarding of grants and cooperative agreements to colleges and universities (as defined in section 3103 of this title).

(3) Cooperative research purposes

Research conducted under this subsection shall encourage collaboration among scientists with expertise in the areas of soil science, agronomy, agricultural economics, forestry, and other agricultural sciences to focus on—

(A) developing data addressing carbon losses and gains in soils and plants (including trees) and the exchange of methane and nitrous oxide from agriculture;

(B) understanding how agricultural and forestry practices affect the sequestration of carbon in soils and plants (including trees) and the exchange of other greenhouse gases, including the effects of new technologies such as biotechnology and nanotechnology;

(C) developing cost-effective means of measuring and monitoring changes in carbon pools in soils and plants (including trees), including computer models;

(D) evaluating the linkage between federal conservation programs and carbon sequestration;

(E) developing methods, including remote sensing, to measure the exchange of carbon and other greenhouse gases sequestered, and to evaluate leakage, performance, and permanence issues; and

(F) assessing the applicability of the results of research conducted under this subsection for developing methods to account for the impact of agricultural activities (including forestry) on the exchange of greenhouse gases.

(4) Authorization of appropriation

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this subsection for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2007.

(e) Extension projects

(1) In general

The Secretary, in cooperation with departments and agencies participating in the U.S. Global Change Research Program (which may use any of their statutory authorities), and local extension agents, experts from institutions of higher education that offer a curriculum in agricultural and biological sciences, and other local agricultural or conservation organizations, may implement extension projects (including on-farm projects with direct involvement of agricultural producers) that combine measurement tools and modeling techniques into integrated packages to monitor the carbon sequestering benefits of conservation practices and the exchange of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture which demonstrate the feasibility of methods of measuring and monitoring—

(A) changes in carbon content and other carbon pools in soils and plants (including trees); and

(B) the exchange of other greenhouse gases.

(2) Extension project results

The Secretary may disseminate to farmers, ranchers, private forest landowners, and appropriate State agencies in each State information concerning—

(A) the results of projects under this subsection; and

(B) the manner in which the methods used in the projects might be applicable to the operations of the farmers, ranchers, private forest landowners, and State agencies.

(3) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this subsection for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2007.

(f) Administrative costs

Not more than 3 percent of the funds made available for this section may be used by the Secretary to pay administrative costs incurred in carrying out this section.

(g) Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $15,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2012.

(Pub. L. 106–224, title II, §221, June 20, 2000, 114 Stat. 407; Pub. L. 107–171, title VII, §7223, title IX, §9009, May 13, 2002, 116 Stat. 454, 483; Pub. L. 110–234, title VII, §7407, May 22, 2008, 122 Stat. 1252; Pub. L. 110–246, §4(a), title VII, §7407, June 18, 2008, 122 Stat. 1664, 2013.)

Codification

Pub. L. 110–234 andPub. L. 110–246 made identical amendments to this section. The amendments by Pub. L. 110–234 were repealed by section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246.
Section was enacted as part of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000, and not as part of the Global Climate Change Prevention Act of 1990 which comprises this chapter.

Amendments

2008—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 110–246, §7407, added subsec. (g) and struck out former subsec. (g). Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "There are authorized to be appropriated for fiscal years 2002 through 2007 such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section."
2002—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 107–171, §7223(1), substituted "To the extent funds are made available for this purpose, the Secretary shall provide" for "Of the amount made available under section 261(a)(2), the Secretary shall use $15,000,000 to provide".
Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 107–171, §9009, added subsecs. (d) and (e). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (f).
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 107–171, §9009(1), redesignated subsec. (d) as (f).
Pub. L. 107–171, §7223(2), substituted "for this section" for "under subsection (a) of this section".
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 107–171, §7223(3), added subsec. (g).

Effective Date of 2008 Amendment

Amendment of this section and repeal of Pub. L. 110–234 by Pub. L. 110–246 effective May 22, 2008, the date of enactment of Pub. L. 110–234, see section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246, set out as an Effective Date note under section 8701 of this title.