RESEARCH AND UTILIZATION.

SEC. 1241. RESEARCH AND UTILIZATION. (a) Reforestation Research; Appropriations; Private Forestry.— Section 3 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1642) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)(1) by inserting after “energy conservation, and other purposes” the following: “, including activities for encouraging improved reforestation of forest lands from which timber has been harvested”; (2) in subsection (b) by— (A) inserting “(1)” immediately prior to the words “To ensure the availability,”; and (B) adding at the end the following: “(2) In implementing this subsection, the Secretary is authorized to develop and implement improved methods of survey and analysis of forest inventory information, for which purposes there are hereby authorized to be appropriated annually $10,000,000.”; and (3) by adding at the end the following: “(d) The Secretary is authorized to conduct, support, and cooperate in studies and other activities the Secretary deems necessary to— “(1) evaluate renewable resource management problems 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 information and technical assistance provided to private landowners.”. (b) Recycling Research.— Section 9 of the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act of 1978 (16 U.S.C. 1641 et seq.) is amended to read as follows: “SEC. 9. RECYCLING RESEARCH. “(a) Findings.— Congress finds that— “(1) the United States is amassing vast amounts of solid wastes, which is presenting an increasing problem for municipalities in locating suitable disposal sites; “(2) a large proportion of these wastes consists of paper and other wood wastes; “(3) less than one-third of these paper and wood wastes are recycled; 104 STAT. 3545 “(4) additional recycling would result in reduced solid waste landfill disposal and would contribute to a reduced rate of removal of standing timber from forest lands; and “(5) additional research is needed to develop technological advances to address barriers to increased recycling of paper and wood wastes and utilization of products consisting of recycled materials. “(b) Recycling Research Program.— The Secretary is authorized to conduct, support, and cooperate in an expanded wood fiber recycling research program, including the acquisition of necessary equipment. The Secretary shall seek to ensure that the program includes the cooperation and support of private industry and that program goals include the application of such research to industry and consumer needs. “(c) Authorization of Appropriations.— In addition to any other funds made available to implement section 3 of this Act, for the 5-year period beginning on October 1, 1990, there are authorized to be appropriated annually $10,000,000 to implement this section.”. (c) Modern Timber Bridge Initiative.— (1) In general.— The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to continue the Modern Timber Bridge Initiative to provide Federal funds, on a cost share basis as determined by the Secretary, for the construction of demonstration bridges, modem bridge technology transfer projects, and conferences. (2) Appropriations.— There are hereby authorized to be appropriated annually $5,000,000 to carry out this subsection. (d) Forestry Research Needs Assessments.— Within 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report that responds to the recommendations contained in the report of the National Research Council entitled “Forestry Research: A Mandate for Change”. The report shall include— (1) an assessment of the capability of current forestry research programs to address research areas specified in the report, including research on ecosystem functions and management; (2) an evaluation of alternatives to current organizational frameworks for providing guidance to forestry research programs and establishing research priorities, including the establishment of a National Forestry Research Council; and (3) recommendations for changes in current forestry research programs, including levels of research funding, that may be needed to address existing deficiencies.