16 U.S.C. § 1642 — Investigations, experiments, tests, and

Page 1966 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION § 1642 § 1642. Investigations, experiments, tests, and other activities (a) Authorization; scope and purposes of activi- ties The Secretary is authorized to conduct, sup- port, and cooperate in investigations, experi- ments, tests, and other activities the Secretary deems necessary to obtain, analyze, develop, demonstrate, and disseminate scientific infor- mation about protecting, managing, and uti- lizing forest and rangeland renewable resources in rural, suburban, and urban areas. The activi- ties conducted, supported, or cooperated in by the Secretary under this subchapter shall in- clude, but not be limited to, the five major areas of renewable resource research identified in paragraphs (1) through (5) of this subsection. (1) Renewable resource management re- search shall include, as appropriate, research activities related to managing, reproducing, planting, and growing vegetation on forests and rangelands for timber, forage, water, fish and wildlife, esthetics, recreation, wilderness, energy production, activities related to energy conservation, and other purposes, including activities for encouraging improved reforest- ation of forest lands from which timber has been harvested; determining the role of forest and rangeland management in the productive use of forests and rangelands, in diversified ag- riculture, and in mining, transportation, and other industries; and developing alternatives for the management of forests and rangelands that will make possible the most effective use of their multiple products and services. (2) Renewable resource environmental re- search shall include, as appropriate, research activities related to understanding and man- aging surface and subsurface water flow, pre- venting and controlling erosion, and restoring damaged or disturbed soils on forest and rangeland watersheds; maintaining and im- proving wildlife and fish habitats; managing vegetation to reduce air and water pollution, provide amenities, and for other purposes; and understanding, predicting, and modifying weather, climatic, and other environmental conditions that affect the protection and man- agement of forests and rangelands. (3) Renewable resource protection research shall include, as appropriate, research activi- ties related to protecting vegetation and other forest and rangeland resources, including threatened and endangered flora and fauna, as well as wood and wood products in storage or use, from fires, insects, diseases, noxious plants, animals, air pollutants, and other agents through biological, chemical, and me- chanical control methods and systems; and protecting people, natural resources, and prop- erty from fires in rural areas. (4) Renewable resource utilization research shall include, as appropriate, research activi- ties related to harvesting, transporting, proc- essing, marketing, distributing, and utilizing wood and other materials derived from forest and rangeland renewable resources; recycling and fully utilizing wood fiber; producing and conserving energy; and testing forest products, including necessary fieldwork associated therewith. (5) Renewable resource assessment research shall include, as appropriate, research activi- ties related to developing and applying sci- entific knowledge and technology in support of the survey and analysis of forest and range- land renewable resources described in sub- section (b) of this section. (b) Development of periodic Renewable Resource Assessment through survey and analysis of conditions; implementation; authorization of appropriations (1) To ensure the availability of adequate data and scientific information for development of the periodic Renewable Resource Assessment provided for in section 1601 of this title, the Sec- retary of Agriculture shall make and keep cur- rent a comprehensive survey and analysis of the present and prospective conditions of and re- quirements for renewable resources of the for- ests and rangelands of the United States and of the supplies of such renewable resources, includ- ing a determination of the present and potential productivity of the land, and of such other facts as may be necessary and useful in the deter- mination of ways and means needed to balance the demand for and supply of these renewable resources, benefits, and uses in meeting the needs of the people of the United States. The Secretary shall conduct the survey and analysis under such plans as the Secretary may deter- mine to be fair and equitable, and cooperate with appropriate officials of each State and, ei- ther through them or directly, with private or other entities. (2) In implementing this subsection, the Sec- retary is authorized to develop and implement improved methods of survey and analysis of for- est inventory information, for which purposes there are hereby authorized to be appropriated annually $10,000,000. (c) Program of research and study relative to health and productivity of domestic forest ecosystems; advisory committee; reports (1) The Secretary, acting through the United States Forest Service, shall establish not later than 180 days after October 24, 1988, a 10-year program (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as the ‘‘Program’’) to— (A) increase the frequency of forest inven- tories in matters that relate to atmospheric pollution and conduct such surveys as are nec- essary to monitor long-term trends in the health and productivity of domestic forest ecosystems; (B) determine the scope of the decline in the health and productivity of domestic forest ecosystems; (C) accelerate and expand existing research efforts (including basic forest ecosystem re- search) to evaluate the effects of atmospheric pollutants on forest ecosystems and their role in the decline in domestic forest health and productivity; (D) study the relationship between atmos- pheric pollution and other climatological, chemical, physical, and biological factors that may affect the health and productivity of do- mestic forest ecosystems; (E) develop recommendations for solving or mitigating problems related to the effects of Page 1967 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION § 1642 atmospheric pollution on the health and pro- ductivity of domestic forest ecosystems; (F) foster cooperation among Federal, State, and private researchers and encourage the ex- change of scientific information on the effects of atmospheric pollutants on forest eco- systems among the United States, Canada, Eu- ropean nations, and other nations; (G) support the long-term funding of re- search programs and related efforts to deter- mine the causes of declines in the health and productivity of domestic forest ecosystems and the effects of atmospheric pollutants on the health and productivity of domestic forest ecosystems; and (H) enlarge the Eastern Hardwood Coopera- tive by devoting additional resources to field analysis of the response of hardwood species to atmospheric pollution, and other factors that may affect the health and productivity of these ecosystems. (2) The Secretary shall establish a committee to advise the Secretary in developing and car- rying out the Program, which shall be composed of scientists with training and experience in var- ious disciplines, including atmospheric, ecologi- cal, and biological sciences. Such scientists shall be selected from among individuals who are actively performing research for Federal or State agencies or for private industries, institu- tions, or organizations. (3) The Secretary shall coordinate the Pro- gram with existing research efforts of Federal and State agencies and private industries, insti- tutions, or organizations. (4) The Secretary shall submit to the Presi- dent and to Congress the following reports: (A) Not less than 30 days before establishing the Program, the Secretary shall submit an initial program report— (i) discussing existing information about declining health and productivity of forest ecosystems on public and private lands in North America and Europe; (ii) outlining the findings and status of all current research and monitoring efforts in North America and Europe on the causes and effects of atmospheric pollution on the health and productivity of forest eco- systems; (iii) describing the Program; and (iv) estimating the cost of implementing the Program for each fiscal year of its dura- tion. (B) Not later than January 15, 1990, and Jan- uary 15 of each year thereafter, during which the Program is in operation following the year in which the initial program report is sub- mitted, the Secretary shall submit an annual report— (i) updating information about declining health and productivity of forest ecosystems on public and private lands in North Amer- ica and Europe; (ii) updating the findings and status of all current research and monitoring efforts in North America and Europe on the causes and effects of atmospheric pollution on the health and productivity of forest eco- systems, including efforts conducted under the Program; (iii) recommending additional research and monitoring efforts to be undertaken under the Program to determine the effects of atmospheric pollution on the health and productivity of domestic forest ecosystems; and (iv) recommending methods for solving or mitigating problems stemming from the ef- fects of atmospheric pollution on the health and productivity of domestic forest eco- systems. (C) Not later than 10 years after the date on which the initial program report is submitted, the Secretary shall submit a final report— (i) reviewing existing information about declining health and productivity of forest ecosystems on public and private lands in North America and Europe; (ii) reviewing the nature and findings of all research and monitoring efforts conducted under the Program and any other relevant research and monitoring efforts related to the effects of atmospheric pollution on for- est ecosystem; and (iii) making final recommendations for solving or mitigating problems stemming from the effects of atmospheric pollution on the health and productivity of domestic for- est ecosystems. (d) High priority forestry and rangeland re- search and education (1) In general The Secretary may conduct, support, and co- operate in forestry and rangeland research and education that is of the highest priority to the United States and to users of public and pri- vate forest land and rangeland in the United States. (2) Priorities The research and education priorities in- clude the following: (A) The biology of forest organisms and rangeland organisms. (B) Functional characteristics and cost-ef- fective management of forest and rangeland ecosystems. (C) Interactions between humans and for- ests and rangeland. (D) Wood and forage as a raw material. (E) International trade, competition, and cooperation. (3) Northeastern States research cooperative At the request of the Governor of the State of Maine, New Hampshire, New York, or Vermont, the Secretary may cooperate with the northeastern States of New Hampshire, New York, Maine, and Vermont, land-grant colleges and universities of those States, nat- ural resources and forestry schools of those States, other Federal agencies, and other in- terested persons in those States to coordinate and improve ecological and economic research relating to agricultural research, extension, and education, including— (A) research on ecosystem health, forest management, product development, econom- ics, and related fields; (B) research to assist those States and landowners in those States to achieve sus- tainable forest management; Page 1968 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION § 1642 (C) technology transfer to the wood prod- ucts industry of technologies that promote efficient processing, pollution prevention, and energy conservation; (D) dissemination of existing and new in- formation to landowners, public and private resource managers, State forest citizen advi- sory committees, and the general public through professional associations, publica- tions, and other information clearinghouse activities; and (E) analysis of strategies for the protec- tion of areas of outstanding ecological sig- nificance or high biological diversity, and strategies for the provision of important rec- reational opportunities and traditional uses, including strategies for areas identified through State land conservation planning processes. (e) Forest inventory and analysis (1) Program required In compliance with other applicable provi- sions of law, the Secretary shall establish a program to inventory and analyze, in a timely manner, public and private forests and their resources in the United States. (2) Annual State inventory (A) In general Not later than the end of each full fiscal year beginning after June 23, 1998, the Sec- retary shall prepare for each State, in co- operation with the State forester for the State, an inventory of forests and their re- sources in the State. (B) Sample plots For purposes of preparing the inventory for a State, the Secretary shall measure an- nually 20 percent of all sample plots that are included in the inventory program for that State. (C) Compilation of inventory On completion of the inventory for a year, the Secretary shall make available to the public a compilation of all data collected for that year from measurements of sample plots as well as any analysis made of the samples. (3) 5-year reports Not more often than every 5 full fiscal years after June 23, 1998, the Secretary shall pre- pare, publish, and make available to the public a report, prepared in cooperation with State foresters, that— (A) contains a description of each State in- ventory of forests and their resources, incor- porating all sample plot measurements con- ducted during the 5 years covered by the re- port; (B) displays and analyzes on a nationwide basis the results of the annual reports re- quired by paragraph (2); and (C) contains an analysis of forest health conditions and trends over the previous 2 decades, with an emphasis on such condi- tions and trends during the period subse- quent to the immediately preceding report under this paragraph. (4) National standards and definitions To ensure uniform and consistent data col- lection for all forest land that is publicly or privately owned and for each State, the Sec- retary shall develop, in consultation with State foresters and Federal land management agencies not under the jurisdiction of the Sec- retary, and publish national standards and definitions to be applied in inventorying and analyzing forests and their resources under this subsection. The standards shall include a core set of variables to be measured on all sample plots under paragraph (2) and a stand- ard set of tables to be included in the reports under paragraph (3). (5) Protection for private property rights The Secretary shall obtain authorization from property owners prior to collecting data from sample plots located on private property pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3). (6) Strategic plan Not later than 180 days after June 23, 1998, the Secretary shall prepare and submit to Congress a strategic plan to implement and carry out this subsection, including the an- nual updates required by paragraph (2) and the reports required by paragraph (3), that shall describe in detail— (A) the financial resources required to im- plement and carry out this subsection, in- cluding the identification of any resources required in excess of the amounts provided for forest inventorying and analysis in re- cent appropriations Acts; (B) the personnel necessary to implement and carry out this subsection, including any personnel in addition to personnel currently performing inventorying and analysis func- tions; (C) the organization and procedures nec- essary to implement and carry out this sub- section, including proposed coordination with Federal land management agencies and State foresters; (D) the schedules for annual sample plot measurements in each State inventory re- quired by paragraph (2) within the first 5- year interval after June 23, 1998; (E) the core set of variables to be meas- ured in each sample plot under paragraph (2) and the standard set of tables to be used in each State and national report under para- graph (3); and (F) the process for employing, in coordina- tion with the Secretary of Energy and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, remote sensing, global positioning systems, and other ad- vanced technologies to carry out this sub- section, and the subsequent use of the tech- nologies. (Pub. L. 95–307, § 3, June 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 353; Pub. L. 96–294, title II, § 254, June 30, 1980, 94 Stat. 707; Pub. L. 100–521, § 3, Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2601; Pub. L. 101–624, title XII, § 1241(a), Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3544; Pub. L. 105–185, title II, § 253(b), (c), June 23, 1998, 112 Stat. 559; Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(a) [title VII, § 753(a)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681, 2681–32.) Page 1969 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION § 1642 Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT The Federal revenue codes, referred to in subsec. (d)(2), are classified generally to Title 26, Internal Rev- enue Code. AMENDMENTS 1998—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 105–185, § 253(b), added sub- sec. (d) and struck out former subsec. (d) which read as follows: ‘‘The Secretary is authorized to conduct, sup- port, and cooperate in studies and other activities the Secretary deems necessary to— ‘‘(1) evaluate renewable resource management prob- lems associated with urban-forest interface; ‘‘(2) assess effects of changes in Federal revenue codes on private forest management and investment; and ‘‘(3) develop improved delivery systems for informa- tion and technical assistance provided to private landowners.’’ Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 105–277 substituted ‘‘At the re- quest of the Governor of the State of Maine, New Hampshire, New York, or Vermont, the Secretary’’ for ‘‘The Secretary’’. Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 105–185, § 253(c), added subsec. (e). 1990—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 101–624, § 1241(a)(1), in- serted ‘‘, including activities for encouraging improved reforestation of forest lands from which timber has been harvested’’ after ‘‘purposes’’. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101–624, § 1241(a)(2), designated ex- isting provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2). Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 101–624, § 1241(a)(3), added subsec. (d). 1988—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–521 added subsec. (c). 1980—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 96–294, § 254(1), inserted applicability to energy production and energy con- servation activities. Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 96–294, § 254(2), inserted applica- bility to producing and conserving energy. Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 105–277 effective June 23, 1998, see section 101(a) [title VII, § 753(f)] of Pub. L. 105–277, set out as a note under section 343 of Title 7, Agri- culture. REMOTE SENSING TECHNOLOGIES Pub. L. 115–334, title VIII, § 8632, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4871, provided that: ‘‘The Chief of the Forest Service shall— ‘‘(1) continue to find efficiencies in the operations of the forest inventory and analysis program under section 3(e) of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1642(e)) through the improved use and integration of ad- vanced remote sensing technologies to provide esti- mates for State- and national-level inventories, where appropriate; and ‘‘(2) partner with States and other interested stake- holders to carry out the program described in para- graph (1).’’ REVISION OF STRATEGIC PLAN FOR FOREST INVENTORY AND ANALYSIS Pub. L. 113–79, title VIII, § 8301, Feb. 7, 2014, 128 Stat. 922, which required Secretary of Agriculture to revise strategic plan for forest inventory and analysis to de- scribe organization, procedures, and funding needed to achieve certain requirements, was repealed by Pub. L. 115–334, title VIII, § 8501, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4847. SOUTHERN FOREST REGENERATION PROGRAM Pub. L. 101–624, title XII, § 1242, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3545, provided that: ‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary of Agriculture shall make a grant to a State for the establishment, within such State, of a center, to be known as the ‘Southern Forest Regeneration Center’ (hereafter re- ferred to in this section as the ‘Center’), to study forest regeneration problems and forest productivity in the southern region of the United States. ‘‘(b) DUTIES OF CENTER.—The Center shall study for- est regeneration problems and forest productivity in the southern region of the United States, including— ‘‘(1) nursery management concerns that will lead to improved seedling quality; ‘‘(2) forest management practices that account for environmental stresses; and ‘‘(3) the development of low-cost forest regenera- tion methods that provide options for wood products, species diversity, wildlife habitat, and production of clean air and water. ‘‘(c) ESTABLISHMENT OF OTHER PROGRAMS.—The Sec- retary of Agriculture may establish other programs in other regions of the United States, or a comprehensive National program, to carry out the purposes of this sec- tion as the Secretary determines appropriate. ‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be nec- essary to carry out this section.’’ SEMIARID AGROFORESTRY RESEARCH CENTER Pub. L. 101–624, title XII, § 1243, Nov. 28, 1990, 104 Stat. 3546, as amended by Pub. L. 115–334, title VIII, § 8502, Dec. 20, 2018, 132 Stat. 4847, provided that: ‘‘(a) SEMIARID AGROFORESTRY RESEARCH, DEVELOP- MENT, AND DEMONSTRATION CENTER.—The Secretary of Agriculture shall establish at the Forestry Sciences Laboratory of the United States Forest Service, in Lin- coln, Nebraska, a Semiarid Agroforestry Research, De- velopment, and Demonstration Center (hereafter re- ferred to in this section as the ‘Center’) and appoint a Director to manage and coordinate the program estab- lished at the Center under subsection (b). ‘‘(b) PROGRAM.—The Secretary shall establish a pro- gram at the Center and seek the participation of Fed- eral or State governmental entities, land-grant col- leges or universities, State agricultural experiment stations, State and private foresters, the National Arbor Day Foundation, and other nonprofit founda- tions in such program to conduct or assist research, in- vestigations, studies, and surveys to— ‘‘(1) develop sustainable agroforestry systems on semiarid lands that minimize topsoil loss and water contamination and stabilize or enhance crop produc- tivity; ‘‘(2) adapt, demonstrate, document, and model the effectiveness of agroforestry systems under different farming systems and soil or climate conditions; ‘‘(3) develop dual use agroforestry systems compat- ible with paragraphs (1) and (2) which would provide high-value forestry products for commercial sale from semiarid land; ‘‘(4) develop and improve the drought and pest re- sistance characteristics of trees for conservation for- estry and agroforestry applications in semiarid re- gions, including the introduction and breeding of trees suited for the Great Plains region of the United States; ‘‘(5) develop technology transfer programs that in- crease farmer and public acceptance of sustainable agroforestry systems; ‘‘(6) develop improved windbreak and shelterbelt technologies for drought preparedness, soil and water conservation, environmental quality, and biological diversity on semiarid lands; ‘‘(7) develop technical and economic concepts for sustainable agroforestry on semiarid lands, including the conduct of economic analyses of the costs and benefits of agroforestry systems and the development of models to predict the economic benefits under soil or climate conditions; ‘‘(8) provide international leadership in the develop- ment and exchange of agroforestry practices on semi- arid lands worldwide; ‘‘(9) support research on the effects of agroforestry systems on semiarid lands in mitigating nonpoint source water pollution; Page 1970 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION § 1643 ‘‘(10) support research on the design, establishment, and maintenance of tree and shrub plantings to regu- late the deposition of snow along roadways; and ‘‘(11) conduct sociological, demographic, and eco- nomic studies as needed to develop strategies for in- creasing the use of forestry conservation and agro- forestry practices. ‘‘(c) INFORMATION COLLECTION AND DISSEMINATION.— The Secretary shall establish at the Center a program, to be known as the National Clearinghouse on Agro- forestry Conservation and Promotion to— ‘‘(1) collect, analyze, and disseminate information on agroforestry conservation technologies and prac- tices; and ‘‘(2) promote the use of such information by land- owners and those organizations associated with for- estry and tree promotion. ‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for each of fis- cal years 2019 through 2023 to carry out this section.’’ FOREST ECOSYSTEMS AND ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION RESEARCH; CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS Pub. L. 100–521, § 2, Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2601, pro- vided that: ‘‘Congress finds that— ‘‘(1) the health and productivity of forests in cer- tain regions of the United States are declining; ‘‘(2) there is a special concern about the decline of certain hardwood species, particularly sugar maples and oaks, in the eastern United States and the effects of atmospheric pollutants on the health and produc- tivity of these forests; ‘‘(3) declines in the productivity of certain commer- cially important Southern pine species have been measured; ‘‘(4) existing research indicates that atmospheric pollution, including ozone, acidic deposition, and heavy metals, may contribute to this decline; ‘‘(5) there is an urgent need to expand and better coordinate existing Federal, State, and private re- search, including research by private industry, to de- termine the cause of changes in the health and pro- ductivity of domestic forest ecosystems and to mon- itor and evaluate the effects of atmospheric pollut- ants on such ecosystems; and ‘‘(6) such research and monitoring should not im- pede efforts to control atmospheric pollutants.’’ § 1643. Implementation of provisions (a) Establishment and maintenance of research facilities; acquisition, expenditures, etc., for property In implementing this subchapter, the Sec- retary is authorized to establish and maintain a system of experiment stations, research labora- tories, experimental areas, and other forest and rangeland research facilities. The Secretary is authorized, with donated or appropriated funds, to acquire by lease, donation, purchase, ex- change, or otherwise, land or interests in land within the United States needed to implement this subchapter, to make necessary expenditures to examine, appraise, and survey such property, and to do all things incident to perfecting title thereto in the United States. (b) Acceptance, holding, and administration of gifts, donations, and bequests; use and in- vestment of gifts, proceeds, etc.; funding re- quirements In implementing this subchapter, the Sec- retary is authorized to accept, hold, and admin- ister gifts, donations, and bequests of money, real property, or personal property from any source not otherwise prohibited by law and to use such gifts, donations, and bequests to (1) es- tablish or operate any forest and rangeland re- search facility within the United States, or (2) perform any forest and rangeland renewable re- source research activity authorized by this sub- chapter. Such gifts, donations, and bequests, or the proceeds thereof, and money appropriated for these purposes shall be deposited in the Treasury in a special fund. At the request of the Secretary, the Secretary of the Treasury may invest or reinvest any money in the fund that in the opinion of the Secretary is not needed for current operations. Such investments shall be in public debt securities with maturities suitable for the needs of the fund and bearing interest at prevailing market rates. There are hereby au- thorized to be expended from such fund such amounts as may be specified in annual appro- priation Acts, which shall remain available until expended. (c) Cooperation with international, Federal, State, and other governmental agencies, pub- lic and private agencies, etc.; funding re- quirements for contributions from coopera- tors In implementing this subchapter, the Sec- retary may cooperate with international, Fed- eral, State, and other governmental agencies, with public or private agencies, institutions, universities, and organizations, and with busi- nesses and individuals in the United States and in other countries. The Secretary may receive money and other contributions from cooperators under such conditions as the Secretary may pre- scribe. Any money contributions received under this subsection shall be credited to the applica- ble appropriation or fund to be used for the same purposes and shall remain available until ex- pended as the Secretary may direct for use in conducting research activities authorized by this subchapter and in making refunds to con- tributors. (Pub. L. 95–307, § 4(a)–(c), June 30, 1978, 92 Stat. 354, 355; Pub. L. 101–513, title VI, § 611(a)(2), for- merly § 607(a)(2), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 2072, re- numbered § 611(a)(2), Pub. L. 102–574, § 2(a)(1), Oct. 29, 1992, 106 Stat. 4593.) Editorial Notes AMENDMENTS 1990—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101–513, which directed amendment of ‘‘the first section of’’ this subsection by inserting ‘‘international,’’ before ‘‘Federal’’, was exe- cuted by making the insertion in the first sentence of this subsection to reflect the probable intent of Con- gress. § 1644. Forestry and rangeland competitive re- search grants (a) Competitive grant authority In addition to any grants made under other laws, the Secretary is authorized to make com- petitive grants that will further research activi- ties authorized by this subchapter to Federal, State, and other governmental agencies, public or private agencies, institutions, universities, and organizations, and businesses and individ- uals in the United States. In making these grants, the Secretary shall emphasize basic and applied research activities that are important to