,i #aacth ,,congress #ast ,session ,h4 ,r4 #bbje ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,may #bc1 #bjac ,ms4 ,tsongas 7for herself1 ,mr4 ,mc,govern1 and ,ms4 ,norton7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce1 and in addition to the ,committees on ,natural ,resources and ,financial ,services1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to authorize the ,secretary of the ,interior1 in consultation with the ,groundwork ,,usa national office1 to provide grants to certain nonprofit organizations4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,groundwork ,,usa ,trust ,act of #bjac4 #b4 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 locally organized and controlled entities that are linked together through a national program office have the ability to lead cost-effective projects and programs that are responsive to community needs and essential to improving the local environment1 economy1 and quality of life2 7#b7 local community involvement with how land is being used is an essential component to the economic success of a neighborhood2 7#c7 underutilized and neglected vacant lands significantly erode nearby property values and burden municipal tax bases2 7#d7 landscaping and maintenance1 especially when local citizens are involved in the process1 decreases negative stigma and generates civic pride1 which in turn significantly reduces vandalism and illicit activities typically associated with idle lands2 7#e7 cleaning1 landscaping1 and tree planting within vacant and abandoned land and brownfields adds economic value to a community through increased occupancy rates1 and improved sales appeal of nearby residential and commercial real estate2 and 7#f7 the transformation of idle lands and brownfields into cleaner1 greener1 community assets has been exemplified by a network of federally backed ,groundwork ,,usa ,trusts for over #h years4 #c4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,brownfields ,the term brownfields means real property1 the expansion1 redevelopment1 or reuse of which may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance1 pollutant1 or contaminant4 7#b7 ,eligible organization ,the term eligible organization means a-- 7,a7 nonprofit organization that applies for a grant award under section #d7;b7 to establish a ,groundwork ,,usa ,trust2 and 7,b7 ,groundwork ,,usa ,trust4 7#c7 ,groundwork ,,usa national office ,the term ,groundwork ,,usa national office means the independent1 nonprofit1 environmental business incorporated under the laws of the ,state of ,new ,york1 which overseas and creates a link between local ,groundwork ,,usa ,trust offices4 7#d7 ,groundwork ,,usa trust ,the term ,groundwork ,,usa ,trust means an independent1 nonprofit1 environmental organization that works with communities to improve their environment1 economy1 and quality of life through local action4 7#e7 ,nonprofit organization ,the term nonprofit organization means an organization that is described in section #eja7;c77#c7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf and is exempt from tax under section #eja7;a7 of such ,code4 7#f7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of the ,interior4 #d4 ,establishment of groundwork ,,usa trust program 7a7 ,authorization of grant program ,the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,groundwork ,,usa national office1 is authorized to award grants to eligible organizations4 7b7 ,application ,an eligible organization desiring a grant under the program shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,groundwork ,,usa national office1 may require4 #e4 ,criteria for selection ,each grant award provided under section #d7;a7 shall be made on the basis of the quality of the application submitted1 taking into consideration such factors as the following3 7#a7 ,the population and demographics of the community and the environmental1 community1 or economic development issues which an eligible entity could help address4 7#b7 ,the level of experience with community and environmental improvement activities of an eligible organization and the role such organization will play in the implementation of ,groundwork ,,usa ,trust activities4 7#c7 ,the level in which the community or local government in which the eligible organization is based is a current or past recipient of funding or assistance from the ,,epa ,brownfields ,program and demonstrated success in those efforts4 7#d7 ,the level in which the eligible organization has partnered with the ,national ,park ,service and demonstrated success in those efforts4 7#e7 ,the level of community interest and commitment to learn about1 evaluate1 and partner with a ,groundwork ,,usa ,trust4 7#f7 ,the number and level of opportunities to improve the local environment for conservation1 recreation1 and economic development1 including3 7,a7 ,the potential to facilitate the creation1 improvement1 and stewardship of parks1 greenways1 open space1 and nature reserves and increase opportunities for recreation1 conservation1 food security1 environmental education1 and other environmental improvements in communities impacted by brownfields4 7,b7 ,the potential to stimulate economic and environmental rejuvenation of communities impacted by brownfield issues4 7,c7 ,the potential to increase the capacity of communities with limited means to improve their environment1 economy1 and quality of life4 7,d7 ,the potential to engage the local community in the planning and development of projects and programs to improve its local environment1 including the assessment1 cleanup1 and reuse of brownfield sites for parks1 recreation facilities1 nature areas1 gardens1 trails1 and other community benefits4 7,e7 ,the potential to contribute to the use or reuse of existing infrastructure4 7#g7 ,the ability to address the issue of brownfields in the community or target area1 including3 7,a7 ,the potential to leverage or stimulate funds from other sources to support the assessment and remediation of brownfields and their reuse for parks1 recreation facilities1 nature areas1 and other community benefits4 7,b7 ,the potential to engage the local community in the planning and implementation of projects and programs to assess1 cleanup1 and reuse brownfields for parks1 recreation facilities1 nature areas1 and other community benefits4 7,c7 ,the potential to help reduce the threats to human health and the local environment associated with the presence of hazardous substances1 pollutants1 or contaminants4 7,d7 ,the potential to help address or facilitate the identification and reduction of threats to the health and welfare of populations at risk4 #f4 ,use of funds ,a grant award provided under the program may be used to-- 7#a7 provide training1 research1 and technical assistance to individuals and organizations1 as appropriate1 to facilitate the inventory of brownfield sites1 site assessments1 remediation of brownfield sites1 community involvement1 or site preparation2 7#b7 increase the capacity of communities to improve and care for their local environment2 7#c7 reclaim vacant and derelict lands for conservation1 recreation1 and economic development2 7#d7 clean up and care for neglected areas to signal community pride and rejuvenation2 7#e7 return brownfields to economically productive use while restoring blighted landscapes with healthy environments2 7#f7 integrate environmental education1 food security1 health and fitness1 resource management1 and job training2 7#g7 encourage businesses1 local governments1 nonprofits1 and communities to work together for sustainable environmental care and enhancement2 7#h7 support businesses1 local governments1 nonprofits1 and communities in efforts to improve their local environment2 7#i7 raise the profile of urban environmental improvements as part of a comprehensive approach to smart growth strategies and rejuvenation of inner city communities2 7#aj7 acquire real property and buildings to rehabilitate and improve upon for the local community and perform maintenance on such property and buildings1 including mowing1 irrigating1 landscaping1 painting1 and providing structural repairs2 7#aa7 expand operations and locations of offices to benefit a larger geographic area1 and increase staff2 7#ab7 develop information systems and utilize such systems for community- and regional-based research and data dissemination2 and 7#ac7 develop programs that encourage regional and national partnering with other environmental organizations4 #g4 ,maximum grant award ,a grant award under the program shall not exceed #djj1jjj for any fiscal year4 #h4 ,limitation on administrative costs ,the ,secretary may reserve not more than #ae percent of the amount made available under this ,act to carry out the program in a fiscal year for administrative costs1 including managing1 administering1 and assisting with technical support of operations for national and local ,groundwork ,,usa offices4 #i4 ,annual report ,each grant recipient shall submit to the ,secretary and the national ,groundwork ,,usa national office an annual report at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary1 in consultation with the ,groundwork ,,usa national office1 may require4 #aj4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the program #ae1jjj1jjj for each of the fiscal years #bjad through #bjai4