§ 2934. — National Global Change Research Plan.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 15USC2934]
TITLE 15--COMMERCE AND TRADE
CHAPTER 56A--GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH
SUBCHAPTER I--UNITED STATES GLOBAL CHANGE RESEARCH PROGRAM
Sec. 2934. National Global Change Research Plan
(a) In general
The Chairman of the Council, through the Committee, shall develop a
National Global Change Research Plan for implementation of the Program.
The Plan shall contain recommendations for national global change
research. The Chairman of the Council shall submit the Plan to the
Congress within one year after November 16, 1990, and a revised Plan
shall be submitted at least once every three years thereafter.
(b) Contents of Plan
The Plan shall--
(1) establish, for the 10-year period beginning in the year the
Plan is submitted, the goals and priorities for Federal global
change research which most effectively advance scientific
understanding of global change and provide usable information on
which to base policy decisions relating to global change;
(2) describe specific activities, including research activities,
data collection and data analysis requirements, predictive modeling,
participation in international research efforts, and information
management, required to achieve such goals and priorities;
(3) identify and address, as appropriate, relevant programs and
activities of the Federal agencies and departments represented on
the Committee that contribute to the Program;
(4) set forth the role of each Federal agency and department in
implementing the Plan;
(5) consider and utilize, as appropriate, reports and studies
conducted by Federal agencies and departments, the National Research
Council, or other entities;
(6) make recommendations for the coordination of the global
change research activities of the United States with such activities
of other nations and international organizations, including--
(A) a description of the extent and nature of necessary
international cooperation;
(B) the development by the Committee, in consultation when
appropriate with the National Space Council, of proposals for
cooperation on major capital projects;
(C) bilateral and multilateral proposals for improving
worldwide access to scientific data and information; and
(D) methods for improving participation in international
global change research by developing nations; and
(7) estimate, to the extent practicable, Federal funding for
global change research activities to be conducted under the Plan.
(c) Research elements
The Plan shall provide for, but not be limited to, the following
research elements:
(1) Global measurements, establishing worldwide observations
necessary to understand the physical, chemical, and biological
processes responsible for changes in the Earth system on all
relevant spatial and time scales.
(2) Documentation of global change, including the development of
mechanisms for recording changes that will actually occur in the
Earth system over the coming decades.
(3) Studies of earlier changes in the Earth system, using
evidence from the geological and fossil record.
(4) Predictions, using quantitative models of the Earth system
to identify and simulate global environmental processes and trends,
and the regional implications of such processes and trends.
(5) Focused research initiatives to understand the nature of and
interaction among physical, chemical, biological, and social
processes related to global change.
(d) Information management
The Plan shall provide recommendations for collaboration within the
Federal Government and among nations to--
(1) establish, develop, and maintain information bases,
including necessary management systems which will promote
consistent, efficient, and compatible transfer and use of data;
(2) create globally accessible formats for data collected by
various international sources; and
(3) combine and interpret data from various sources to produce
information readily usable by policymakers attempting to formulate
effective strategies for preventing, mitigating, and adapting to the
effects of global change.
(e) National Research Council evaluation
The Chairman of the Council shall enter into an agreement with the
National Research Council under which the National Research Council
shall--
(1) evaluate the scientific content of the Plan; and
(2) provide information and advice obtained from United States
and international sources, and recommended priorities for future
global change research.
(f) Public participation
In developing the Plan, the Committee shall consult with academic,
State, industry, and environmental groups and representatives. Not later
than 90 days before the Chairman of the Council submits the Plan, or any
revision thereof, to the Congress, a summary of the proposed Plan shall
be published in the Federal Register for a public comment period of not
less than 60 days.
(Pub. L. 101-606, title I, Sec. 104, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 3099.)
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in sections 2921, 2933 of this title.
