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U.S. Code as of:
01/03/05
Section 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) of this section.
(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.
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