WASHINGTON - The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee today approved a bill introduced by U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman that would expand a program that provides young people with job opportunities, while helping repair and restore the country's public lands. The legislation also includes a provision authored by U.S. Senator Tom Udall to establish the Indian Youth Service Corps. Udall is also a cosponsor of the bill and Representative Ben Ray Lujan sponsored a similar bill in the House of Representatives.
The Public Lands Service Corps Act of 2010 improves the existing Public Lands Corps by expanding the scope of corps projects to reflect new challenges such as climate change. Additionally, the bill would add incentives to attract new participants, especially from underrepresented populations, and pave the way for increased funding.
"It's important that we teach future generations to value and be good stewards of our country's national parks and other public lands. This bill expands an already successful program that provides life-changing experiences for our youth," Bingaman said.
"This legislation will allow more of America's young people to learn valuable work skills while experiencing the wonders of our natural environment and doing their own part to conserve and protect our country's special places for future generations," Udall said. "I am particularly pleased that this bill establishes the Indian Youth Service Corps, which will allow Native youth to expand on their important role in preserving tribal lands, which are so intertwined with their cultural heritage."
Specifically the bill would do the following:
• Amends the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 to expand the authority of the Interior and Agriculture Departments (including such agencies as the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service).
• Establishes an Indian Youth Service Corps so that Indian Tribes can start corps programs to carry out priority projects on Tribal lands.
• Authorizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the Department of Commerce to participate in the program, which would allow Corps members to work on restoring coastal and marine ecosystems.
• Provides for establishing residential conservation centers to house and train corps participants.
• Expands the scope of eligible projects to include working with agency professionals on activities such as historical, scientific and cultural research, visitor services, and interpretation.
• Allows agencies to provide noncompetitive hiring status for Corps participants for two years after completing service. Current law allows such status for only 120 days.
• Expands the age range for the program is to youth aged 15 to 25, and participants may serve either in crews or as individuals.
