This report lists selected CRS writings on environmental issues. Most of the papers cited were written by members of the Environmental Protection Section of the Environmental Policy and Natural Resources Division at CRS. Topics addressed include acid rain, air quality, water quality, the EPA, pesticides, and hazardous wastes.,General -- The Environmental Protection Agency -- Air Quality. General ; Asbestos ; Acid Rain -- Water Quality. General ; Groundwater ; Leaking Underground Storage Tanks ; Safe Drinking Water -- Pesticides -- Solid and Hazardous Wastes -- Miscellaneous.,Rebecca Mazur, Bibliographer, Environment and Natural Resources, Library Services Division,CRS 85-511 L,"January 1985.",SuDoc# 14. 18/3

This report lists state laws limiting the liability of donors who give food to charitable organizations or food banks and of charitable organizations or food banks who distribute food.,La Vonne Grabiak, Paralegal Assistant, American Law Division,CRS 87-287 A,"March 16, 1987.",SuDoc# 14. 18/3

The Clean Water Act Amendments of 1987 (P.L. 100-4) make control of nonpoint sources of water pollution a national policy. New section 319 creates a nonpoint source management program. While the primary responsibility for developing and implementing controls on nonpoint sources is vested with the States, the Environmental Protection Agency must approve the State programs and is authorized to provide technical and financial support. After three years, EPA is required to report to Congress on the program and its success.

In James Steele vs. FCC, 770 F. 2d 1192 (D.C. Circ. 1985), which involved the award of a broadcast license to a woman using in part a preference system that allowed the Commission to award the license despite the existence of a competing application from a more broadcast-experienced male, a Federal appeals court in a two-to-one ruling in August 1985, struck down preferences for women in awarding FCC licenses. This report reviews the event that led to the FCC's original decision to implement a minority preference system in awarding broadcast licenses, and summarizes chronologically FCC policies and rules that have been implemented since then to increase minority ownership. An assessment of the effects such policies and rules have had on minority broadcast ownership is also provided. This is followed by a discussion of congressional reaction to the FCC's position on preferences and legislative initiatives that have been introduced to date in support of diversifying ownership of broadcast facilities.,Background -- Federal Communications Commission's Minority Policies and Rules. Tax Certificates and Distress Sale Policies ; Financial Qualifications Standard ; Minority Buyer's List ; Minority Ownership Policy ; Lottery System for Awarding Licenses ; Multiple Ownership Rules ; New FM Channels ; AM Station Assignment Standards -- Effectiveness of FCC's Minority Ownership Polices and Rules -- Assessing the Effectiveness of FCC's Policies on Minority Broadcast Ownership -- Congressional Reaction to the FCC's Position on Preferences.,Bernevia M. McCalip, Analyst in Business and Government Relations, Economics Division,CRS 87-273 E,"March 27, 1987.",SuDoc# 14. 18/3

The Federal minimum wage under the Fair Labor Standards Act was last increased on January 1, 1981, to its current level of $3.35 per hour. Early in the 100th Congress, considerable interest has been expressed in re-examining the level and structure of the Federal minimum wage. Congress may use the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Fair Labor Standards Act (1938-1988) to subject the statute to significant oversight. This selected bibliography cites works on the issue of minimum wage.

Some members of the news media are interested in the possible use of a remote sensing satellite system for news gathering, referred to here as Mediasat. The technology is available to build and operate it, but it is not clear whether there is sufficient demand to finance a Mediasat system. This paper addresses issues relating to Mediasat, including: national security limits on sensor technology, international reaction to Mediasat, and existing legislation on private remote sensing satellites. Currently, the Unites States has a limit on the resolution of sensors that can fly on civilian satellites. If the media wants to fly higher resolution sensors, they may have to challenge these national security restrictions. However, if the United States does not develop higher resolution satellites, some fear that other countries will, causing the United states to lose its lead in civilian remote sensing satellite technology. The Land Remote-Sensing Commercialization Act of 1984 designated the Department of Commerce as the licensor of new remote sensing satellites, and reinforces the role of the Deparment of Defense in overseeing national security interests in the licensing process. There is some concern that the Department of Commerce or Defense might invoke national security limitations when they were not necessary, thus restricting the freedom of the press. Other countries could react negatively to the publication of more detailed remote sensing images of their countries. Although there have been proposals for an international system to operate an advanced remote sensing or reconnaissance satellite for peaceful purposes, these proposals have not proceeded.

Winifred Watts, Research Assistant, American Law Division,CRS 85-849 A,"July 3, 1985.",SuDoc# 14. 18/3

This report portrays and discusses Federal spending for education programs in the context of a 26-year span: the past 20 years of actual experience (1965-1984) and the spending plan for the next six years proposed in the President's 1986 budget. In addition to the 26-year review, various measures such as spending in constant dollars, as a percent of the gross national product (GNP), as a percent of total Federal budget and annual and cumulative change analyses are produced to provide context and perspective.,Abstract -- Preface -- Notes -- Overview -- Table 1: Outlays for Education Fiscal Year 1965 - Fiscal Year 1990 -- Table 2: Outlays for Education Fiscal Year 1965 - Fiscal Year 1990 in Constant 1984 Dollars -- Table 3: Outlays for Education as a Percent of Gross National Product Fiscal Year 1965- Fiscal Year 1990 -- Table 4: Outlays for Education as a Percent of Total Federal Budget Outlays Fiscal year 1965 - Fiscal Year 1990 -- Table 5: Outlays for Education as a Percent of Total Human Resources Functions Outlays Fiscal Year 1965 - Fiscal Year 1990 -- Table 6: Outlays for Education as a Percent of Total Education Cluster Outlays Fiscal Year 1965 - Fiscal Year 1990 -- Table 7: Education Percentage Change in Budget Outlays Fiscal Year 1965 - Fiscal Year 1990 -- Table 8: Education Percentage Change in Budget Outlays Using 1984 Constant Dollars Fiscal Year 1965 - Fiscal Year 1990.,Angela M. Evans, Specialist in Education, Richard V. Rimkunas, Analyst in Social Legislation, and Gene Falk, Technical Information Specialist, Education and Public Welfare Division.,CRS 85-577 EPW,"February 21, 1985.",SuDoc# 14. 18/3

This three-part bibliography deals with Superfund, including evaluations of the program and discussions of its reauthorization; management of hazardous waste, including methods of disposal or detoxification as well as management of existing dumps; and the aspects of liability.,Superfund -- Hazardous Waste Management -- Liability for Hazardous Waste.,Adrienne Grenfell, Senior Bibliographer, Library Services Division,CRS 85-540 L,"January 1985.",SuDoc# 14. 18/3

This Editorial Commentary includes articles and editorials which focus on the concern over the quality and future availability of ground water. It is arranged in two sections. The first contains articles on the topic including one reproduced from the CRS Review. Editorials selected from the files maintained by the Congressional Research Service are included in the second section arranged chronologically.,Abstract -- Article Section. CRS Review ; Chemical & Engineering News ; Science News ; Chemical Week -- Editorial Section.,Adrienne C. Grenfell, Senior Bibliographer, Environment, Library Services Division,CRS 85-700 L,"April 19, 1985.",SuDoc# 14. 18/3

Title III of the Higher Education Act authorizes a number of programs to strengthen institutions of higher education, particularly those serving needy and minority students. The FY 1987 appropriation for these programs was $144.208 million. This paper reviews the current provisions of title III, the title's recent appropriatios history, and the FY 1988 Budget Request for its programs.,Abstract -- Introduction -- Provisions. Part A-Strengthening Institutions ; Part B-Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities ; Part C-Challenge Grants for Institutions Eligible for Assistance Under Part A of Part B ; Part D-General Provisions -- Recent Appropriations and FY 1988 Budget Request. Recent Appropriations ; FY 1988 Budget Request.,James B. Stedman, Specialist in Education, Education and Public Welfare Division,CRS 87-283 EPW,"March 31, 1987.",SuDoc# 14. 18/3

There have been marked changes in the Federal Government's role in housing since 1981. Inflation, Federal budget deficits, slow income growth, public disenchantment with programs for the poor -- these and other factors would have compelled shifts in social programs such as housing regardless of the group who controlled the White House. But many of the housing programs in place in 1981 were essentially incompatible with the philosophy of the Reagan team. This paper identifies some of the major changes brought about or proposed by this Administration and the rationale for these efforts.,Morton J. Schussheim, Senior Specialist in Housing,CRS 87-142 S,"Feburary 23, 1987.",SuDoc# 14. 18/3

In the late 1980s bad agriculture, energy, and real estate loans have caused the largest number of bank and savings institution failures since the Depression. Such failures have strained the resources of the deposit-insuring agencies FDIC and FSLIC. This report analyzes the financial resources of these agencies, in view of potential congressional reexamination of their nature.,Financing Capabilities -- Deposit Coverage -- Prospects.,William Jackson, Specialist in Money and Banking, Economics Division.,CRS 87-2 E,"February 16, 1987.",SuDoc# 14. 18/3

Agricultural market development can be any activity aimed at influencing the demand for food and fiber. This report is a compilation of Federal programs that might directly or indirectly assist farmers in selling their products domestically.

Discusses federal statutes such as the Federal Power Act and the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 to indicate extent to which the federal government, rather than the states, regulates these energy areas. Also discusses permissible state regulation of energy and regulatory conflicts between the federal government and the states.,Michael V. Seitzinger, Legislative Attorney, American Law Division,CRS 87-221 A,"Feburary 24, 1987.",SuDoc# 14. 18/3

This report identifies activities of Federal agencies that administer or coordinate significant programs on behalf of fisheries, other living aquatic (freshwater and marine) resources, and aquatic habitats. This report describes agency responsibilities, major statutory authority, a ten-year history of budget and personnel levels, a five-year history of personnel by Civil Service grade, studies about national policy and/or goals, interagency and State-Federal coordination mechanisms, and periodic reports.,Eugene H. Buck, Specialist, Environment and Natural Resources Policy Division,CRS 87-125 ENR,"February 20, 1987 (revised).",SuDoc# 14. 18/3

Rita Ann Reimer, Legislative Attorney, American Law Division,CRS 85-719 A,"April 17, 1985.",SuDoc# 14. 18/3

The 100th Congress is scheduled to consider legislation to reauthorize the Federal program of aid for the education of disadvantaged children, under chapter 1 of the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act. This report provides a discussion of a number of possible options for amendment of chapter 1.,Abstract -- Outline of Selected Chapter 1 LEA Grant Reauthorization Options Discussed in this Report -- How Services are Delivered -- What Services are Delivered -- Who is Served -- How Resources are Allocated.,Wayne Riddle, Specialist in Education, Education and Public Welfare Division,CRS 86-1032 EPW,"December 12, 1986.",SuDoc# 14. 18/3

Recent allegations of wrongdoing in the course of arms transfers and the funneling of funds to support Contra forces in Nicaragua have raised questions regarding restrictions on such activities found in federal law. This report consists of a compilation of some of the laws which may have relevance to on-going investigations. The inclusion or exclusion of specific provisions is in no way intended to reflect a judgment as to their applicability to actual events.

The basic intent of H.R. 2970 is to amend the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, as amended (7 U.S.C. 181), to extend the existing jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Packers and Stockyards Administration over the poultry and egg industries. This report gives a brief legislative history of the Packers and Stockyards Act, discusses the major features of the proposed bill, and presents the views of the various groups that would be affected by the proposal if it became law. A side-by-side comparison of current law and H.R. 2970 is attached.,CRS 86-633 ENR,March 25, 1986,SuDoc# LC 14. 18/3