Ecological studies; reports to Congressional committees and to Chief of Forest Service; progress reports

The Secretary shall take such steps as may be necessary to, within one hundred and eighty days of September 28, 1984, enter into a contract with the National Academy of Sciences for the purpose of conducting a scientific study of the ecology of the Scenic Area. The study shall provide for consultation with knowledgeable local, State, Federal, and private persons and organizations and shall provide findings and recommendations to the Congress. Such study shall be conducted in accordance with the best scientific methodology (as set forth by the National Academy of Sciences) and shall be transmitted by the National Academy of Sciences to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United States Senate, to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the United States House of Representatives, and to the Chief of the Forest Service not later than January 1, 1987. Progress reports regarding the study shall be transmitted to the above committees on January 1, 1985, and January 1 of each year thereafter.