RENEWABLE RESOURCES EXTENSION ACT OF 1978 Public Law 95–306, as amended RENEWABLE RESOURCES EXTENSION ACT OF 1978 306 115–334 Statute Compilation United States House of Representatives Office of the Legislative Counsel text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. GPO Statute Compilations USLM converter, version 20210527.1 2021-10-15 Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978 1134 95 1978-06-30 RENEWABLE RESOURCES EXTENSION ACT OF 1978 [(Public Law 95–306; Approved June 30, 1978)] [As Amended Through P.L. 115–334, Enacted December 20, 2018] [Currency: This publication is a compilation of the text of Public Law 95–306. It was last amended by the public law listed in the As Amended Through note above and below at the bottom of each page of the pdf version and reflects current law through the date of the enactment of the public law listed at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/comps/] [Note: While this publication does not represent an official version of any Federal statute, substantial efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of its contents. The official version of Federal law is found in the United States Statutes at Large and in the United States Code. The legal effect to be given to the Statutes at Large and the United States Code is established by statute (1 U.S.C. 112, 204).]
AN ACTTo provide for an expanded and comprehensive extension program for forest and rangeland renewable resources Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That [16 U.S.C. 1671 note] this Act may be cited as the “Renewable Resources Extension Act of 1978”.
findings Sec. 2. [16 U.S.C. 1671] Congress finds that— (1) the extension program of the Department of Agriculture and the extension activities of each State provide useful and productive educational programs for private forest and range landowners and processors and consumptive and nonconsumptive users of forest and rangeland renewable resources, and these educational programs complement research and assistance programs conducted by the Department of Agriculture; (2) to meet national goals, it is essential that all forest and rangeland renewable resources (hereinafter in this Act referred to as “renewable resources”), including fish and wildlife, forage, outdoor recreation opportunities, timber, and water, be fully considered in designing educational programs for landowners, processors, and users; (3) more efficient utilization and marketing of renewable resources extend available supplies of such resources, provide products to consumers at prices less than they would otherwise be and promote reasonable returns on the investments of landowners, processors, and users; (4) trees and forests in urban areas improve the esthetic quality, reduce noise, filter impurities from the air and add oxygen to it, save energy by moderating temperature extremes, control wind and water erosion, and provide habitat for wildlife; and (5) trees and shrubs used as shelterbelts protect farm lands from wind and water erosion, promote moisture accumulation in the soil, and provide habitat for wildlife.
types of programs; eligible colleges and universities Sec. 3. [16 U.S.C. 1672] (a) the Secretary of Agriculture (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the “Secretary”), under conditions the Secretary may prescribe and in cooperation with the State directors of cooperative extension service programs and eligible colleges and universities, shall— (1) provide educational programs that enable individuals to recognize, analyze, and resolve problems dealing with renewable resources, including forest- and range-based outdoor recreation opportunities, trees, and forests in urban areas, and trees and shrubs in shelterbelts; (2) use educational programs to disseminate the results of research on renewable resources; (3) conduct educational programs that transfer the best available technology to those involved in the management and protection of forests and rangelands and the processing and use of their associated renewable resources; (4) develop and implement educational programs that give special attention to the educational needs of small, private non-industrial forest landowners; (5) develop and implement educational programs in range and fish and wildlife management; (6) assist in providing continuing education programs for professionally trained individuals in fish and wildlife, forest, range, and watershed management and related fields; (7) help forest and range landowners in securing technical and financial assistance to bring appropriate expertise to bear on their problems; (8) help identify areas of needed research regarding renewable resources; (9) in cooperation with State foresters or equivalent State officials, promote public understanding of the energy conservation, economic, social, environmental, and psychological values of trees and open space in urban and community area environments and expand knowledge of the ecological relationships and benefits of trees and related resources in urban and community environments; and (10) conduct a comprehensive natural resource and environmental education program for landowners and managers, public officials, and the public, with particular emphasis on youth. (b) As used in this Act, the term “eligible colleges and universities” means colleges and universities eligible to be supported and maintained in whole or in part, with funds made available under the provisions of the Act of July 2, 1982 (12 Stat. 503–505, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 301–305, 307, 308), and the Act of August 30, 1890 (26 Stat. 417–419, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 321–326, 328), including Tuskegee Institute, and college and universities eligible for assistance under the Act of October 10, 1962 (76 Stat. 806–807, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 582a, 582a–1—582a–7). (c) In implementing this section, all appropriate educational methods may be used, including, but not limited to, meetings, short courses, workshops, tours, demonstrations, publications, news releases, and radio and television programs.
state renewable resources extension programs Sec. 4. [16 U.S.C. 1673] (a) The State director of cooperative extension programs (hereinafter in this Act referred to as the “State director”) and the administrative heads of extension for eligible colleges and universities in each State shall jointly develop by mutual agreement, a single comprehensive and coordinated renewable resources extension program in which the role of each eligible college and university is well-defined. In meeting this responsibility, the State director and the administrative heads of extension for eligible colleges and universities shall consult and seek agreement with the administrative technical representatives and the forestry representatives provided for by the Secretary in implementation of the Act of October 10, 1962 (76 Stat. 806–807, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 582a, 582a–1—582a–7), in the State. Each State's renewable resources extension program shall be submitted to the Secretary annually. The National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board established under section 1408 of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977 shall review and make recommendations to the Secretary pertaining to programs conducted under this Act. (b) The State director and the administrative heads of extension for eligible colleges and universities in each State shall encourage close cooperation between extension staffs at the county and State levels, and State and Federal research organizations dealing with renewable resources, State and Federal agencies that manage forests and rangelands and their associated renewable resources, State and Federal agencies that have responsibilities associated with the processing or use of renewable resources, and other agencies or organizations the State director and administrative heads of extension deem appropriate. (c) Each State renewable resources extension program shall be administered and coordinated by the State director, except that, in States having colleges eligible to receive funds under the Act of August 30, 1890 (26 Stat. 417–419, as amended; 7 U.S.C. 321–326, 328), including Tuskegee Institute, the State renewable resources extension program shall be administered by the State director and the administrative head or heads of extension for the college or colleges eligible to receive such funds. (d) In meeting the provisions of this section, each State director and administrative heads of extension for eligible colleges and universities shall appoint and use one or more advisory committees comprised of forest and range landowners, professionally trained individuals in fish and wildlife, forest, range, and watershed management, and related fields, as appropriate, and other suitable persons. (e) For the purposes of this Act, the term “State” means any one of the fifty States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the District of Columbia, and the Virgin Islands of the United States.
national renewable resources extension program Sec. 5. [16 U.S.C. 1674] (a) The Secretary shall prepare a five-year plan for implementing this Act, which is to be called the “Renewable Resources Extension Program” and shall submit such plan to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate no later than the last day of the first half of the fiscal year ending September 30, 1980, and the last day of the first half of each fifth fiscal year thereafter. The Renewable Resources Extension Program shall provide national emphasis and direction as well as guidance to State directors and administrative heads of extension for eligible colleges and universities in the development of their respective State renewable resources extension programs, which are to be appropriate in terms of the conditions, needs, and opportunities in each State. The Renewable Resources Extension Program shall contain, but not be limited to, brief outlines of general extension programs for fish and wildlife management (for both game and nongame species), range management, timber management (including brief outlines of general extension programs for timber utilization, timber harvesting, timber marketing, wood utilization, and wood products marketing) and watersheld management (giving, special attention to water quality protection), as well as brief outlines of general extension programs for recognition and enhancement of forest- and range-based outdoor recreation opportunities, for urban and community forestry activities, and for planting and management of trees and shrubs in shelterbelts, and give special attention to water quality protection and natural resource and environmental education for landowners and managers, public officials, and the public. (b) In preparing the Renewable Resources Extension Program, the Secretary shall take into account the respective capabilities of private forests and rangelands for yielding renewable resources and the relative needs for such resources identified in the periodic Renewable Resource Assessment provided for in section 3 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 and the periodic appraisal of land and water resources provided for in section 5 of the Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act of 1977. (c) To provide information that will aid Congress in its oversight responsibilities and to provide accountability in implementing this Act, the Secretary shall prepare an annual report, which shall be furnished to Congress at the time of submission of each annual fiscal budget, beginning with the annual fiscal budget for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1981. The annual report shall set forth accomplishments of the Renewable Resources Extension Program, its strengths and weaknesses, recommendations for improvement, and costs of program administration, each with respect to the preceding fiscal year. (d) To assist Congress and the public in evaluating the Renewable Resources Extension Program, the program shall include a review of activities undertaken in response to the preceding five-year plan and an evaluation of the progress made toward accomplishing the goals and objectives set forth in such preceding plan. Such review and evaluation shall be displayed in the program, for the Nation as a whole, and for each State.
SEC. 5A. [16 U.S.C. 1674a] EXPANDED PROGRAMS. (a) In General.—The Secretary, acting through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture1 and the State cooperative extension services, and in consultation with State foresters or equivalent State officials, school boards, and universities, shall expand forestry and natural resources education programs conducted under this Act for private forest owners and managers, public officials, youth, and the general public, and shall include guidelines for the transfer of technology.1

Section 7511(c)(34) of Public Law 110–246 (122 Stat. 2032) provides for an amendment to section 5(a), which was executed to section 5A(a) to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

 (b) Activities.— (1) In general.—In expanding the programs conducted under this Act, the Secretary shall ensure that activities are undertaken to promote policies and practices that enhance the health, vitality, productivity, economic value, and environmental attributes of the forest lands of the United States. (2) Types.—The activities referred to in paragraph (1) shall include— (A) demonstrating and teaching landowners and forest managers the concepts of multiple-use and sustainable natural resource management; (B) conducting comprehensive environmental education programs that assist citizens to participate in environmentally positive activities such as tree planting, recycling, erosion prevention, and waste management; and (C) educational programs and materials that will improve the capacity of schools, local governments and resource agencies to deliver forestry and natural resources information to young people, environmentally concerned citizens, and action groups.
SEC. 5B. [16 U.S.C. 1674b] SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY OUTREACH INITIATIVE. The Secretary shall establish a program, to be known as the “Sustainable Forestry Outreach Initiative”, to educate landowners concerning the following: (1) The value and benefits of practicing sustainable forestry. (2) The importance of professional forestry advice in achieving sustainable forestry objectives. (3) The variety of public and private sector resources available to assist the landowners in planning for and practicing sustainable forestry.
appropriations authorization Sec. 6. [16 U.S.C. 1675] There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $30,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2002 through 2023. Generally, States shall be eligible for funds appropriated under this Act according to the respective capabilities of their private forests and rangelands for yielding renewable resources and relative needs for such resources identified in the periodic Renewable Resource Assessment provided for in section 3 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 and the periodic appraisal of land and water resources provided for in section 5 of the Soil and Water Resources Conservation Act of 1977.
regulations and coordination Sec. 7. [16 U.S.C. 1676] The Secretary is authorized to issue such rules and regulations as the Secretary deems necessary to implement the provisions of this Act and to coordinate this Act with title XIV of the Food and Agriculture Act of 1977.
effective date Sec. 8. [16 U.S.C. 1671 note] The provisions of this Act shall be effective for the period beginning October 1, 1978, and ending September 30, 2023.