In August 1998, the National Science Board established the Task Force on the Environment to provide guidance to NSF in defining the scope of its role with respect to environmental research, education, and scientific assessment, and determining the best means of implementing activities related to this area. An interim report, Environmental Science and Engineering for the 21st Century: The Role of the National Science Foundation (NSB 99-130), presents the findings and recommendations developed by the Task Force on the Environment. This report is now available and can be found at: https://www.nsf.gov/nsb/tfe/start.htm.