Pennsylvania Act 2004-231 — CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED EDUCATION PROGRAM ACT - ENACTMENT

Act text

CHESAPEAKE BAY WATERSHED EDUCATION PROGRAM ACT - ENACTMENT
                 Act of Dec. 1, 2004, P.L. 1775, No. 231              Cl. 24
                                  AN ACT

     Establishing the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education Program;
        providing for the issuance of grants and for the powers and
        duties of the Department of Education.

        The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     hereby enacts as follows:

     Section 1.  Short title.
        This act shall be known and may be cited as the Chesapeake
     Bay Watershed Education Program Act.
     Section 2.  Legislative findings and intent.
        (a)  Findings.--The General Assembly finds as follows:
            (1)  The Chesapeake Bay is America's largest and most
        biologically diverse estuary, and the bay and its tributaries
        have been important to our economy, traditions and culture.
            (2)  In 1983 the Commonwealth along with the States of
        Maryland and Virginia, the District of Columbia and the
        Environmental Protection Agency entered into the first
        Chesapeake Bay Agreement in an effort to protect and restore
        the bay's ecosystem.
            (3)  In 2002 the Commonwealth renewed its commitment and
        entered into a new agreement entitled Chesapeake 2002, which
        recognizes that the condition of the bay is dependent upon
        the actions of every citizen who resides in the watershed.
            (4)  The Chesapeake 2002 agreement commits the
        Commonwealth to make watershed education and outreach a
        priority.
        (b)  Intent.--It is the intent of the General Assembly to
     develop policies that work to improve the bay's ecosystem and
     accomplish the goals of Chesapeake 2002, which include expanding
     watershed education school curricula and providing students with
     opportunities to directly participate in meaningful bay or
     stream outdoor experiences.
     Section 3.  Definitions.
        The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
     have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
     context clearly indicates otherwise:
        "Department."  The Department of Education of the
     Commonwealth.
        "Program."  The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education Program.
        "School."  A public or nonpublic school and an environmental
     education center located within this Commonwealth.
     Section 4.  Establishment of program.
        The Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education Program is established
     within the department to provide grants to schools to promote
     the teaching of watershed education and afford students the
     opportunity to participate in meaningful bay or stream outdoor
     experiences.
     Section 5.  Program requirements.
        An eligible school shall apply for a grant under this program
     as prescribed by the department. The application shall, at a
     minimum, contain the following:
            (1)  A description of the school's watershed education
        program.
            (2)  A description of the outdoor watershed experiences
        that the school offers or intends to offer for students.
            (3)  A description of how the grant funds will be
        utilized.
            (4)  A summary of the educational benefits accruing to
        students as a result of the program.
            (5)  The number of students participating in the school's
        program and the grade level of participating students.
     Section 6.  Powers and duties of department.
        The department shall:
            (1)  Administer the program and develop an application
        procedure for awarding grants under the program.
            (2)  Beginning in 2005, submit a report by December 31 of
        each year to the chairman and minority chairman of the
        Education Committee of the Senate and the chairman and
        minority chairman of the Education Committee of the House of
        Representatives that includes a list of the schools receiving
        grant awards under the program and the dollar amount of each
        award.
            (3)  Allocate grants under the program to eligible
        schools from funds appropriated for this purpose, provided
        that no grant may exceed $5,000.
            (4)  Utilize not more than 20% of the funds appropriated
        for the program for program administration.
            (5)  Evaluate and distribute curriculum materials which
        schools may utilize for the program.
            (6)  Provide professional development workshops through
        State agencies and nonprofit organizations for watershed
        education for teachers.
     Section 7.  Funding.
        Funding for the program shall be dependent on annual
     appropriations made by the General Assembly.
     Section 8.  Effective date.
        This act shall take effect immediately.