CHAPTER 32 —MARINE SANCTUARIES
§1431. Findings, purposes, and policies; establishment of system
(a) Findings
The Congress finds that—
(1) this Nation historically has recognized the importance of protecting special areas of its public domain, but these efforts have been directed almost exclusively to land areas above the high-water mark;
(2) certain areas of the marine environment possess conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, scientific, educational, cultural, archeological, or esthetic qualities which give them special national, and in some cases international, significance;
(3) while the need to control the effects of particular activities has led to enactment of resource-specific legislation, these laws cannot in all cases provide a coordinated and comprehensive approach to the conservation and management of special areas of the marine environment; and
(4) a Federal program which establishes areas of the marine environment which have special conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, cultural, archeological, scientific, educational, or esthetic qualities as national marine sanctuaries managed as the National Marine Sanctuary System will—
(A) improve the conservation, understanding, management, and wise and sustainable use of marine resources;
(B) enhance public awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the marine environment; and
(C) maintain for future generations the habitat, and ecological services, of the natural assemblage of living resources that inhabit these areas.
(b) Purposes and policies
The purposes and policies of this chapter are—
(1) to identify and designate as national marine sanctuaries areas of the marine environment which are of special national significance and to manage these areas as the National Marine Sanctuary System;
(2) to provide authority for comprehensive and coordinated conservation and management of these marine areas, and activities affecting them, in a manner which complements existing regulatory authorities;
(3) to maintain the natural biological communities in the national marine sanctuaries, and to protect, and, where appropriate, restore and enhance natural habitats, populations, and ecological processes;
(4) to enhance public awareness, understanding, appreciation, and wise and sustainable use of the marine environment, and the natural, historical, cultural, and archeological resources of the National Marine Sanctuary System;
(5) to support, promote, and coordinate scientific research on, and long-term monitoring of, the resources of these marine areas;
(6) to facilitate to the extent compatible with the primary objective of resource protection, all public and private uses of the resources of these marine areas not prohibited pursuant to other authorities;
(7) to develop and implement coordinated plans for the protection and management of these areas with appropriate Federal agencies, State and local governments, Native American tribes and organizations, international organizations, and other public and private interests concerned with the continuing health and resilience of these marine areas;
(8) to create models of, and incentives for, ways to conserve and manage these areas, including the application of innovative management techniques; and
(9) to cooperate with global programs encouraging conservation of marine resources.
(c) Establishment of system
There is established the National Marine Sanctuary System, which shall consist of national marine sanctuaries designated by the Secretary in accordance with this chapter.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2000—
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(3).
Subsec. (a)(4) to (6).
"(4) a Federal program which identifies special areas of the marine environment will contribute positively to marine resources conservation, research, and management;
"(5) such a Federal program will also serve to enhance public awareness, understanding, appreciation, and wise use of the marine environment; and
"(6) protection of these special areas can contribute to maintaining a natural assemblage of living resources for future generations."
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(3).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (b)(5) to (7).
Subsec. (b)(8).
Subsec. (b)(9).
Subsec. (c).
1996—Subsec. (b)(2).
1992—Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (b).
"(1) to identify areas of the marine environment of special national significance due to their resource or human-use values;
"(2) to provide authority for comprehensive and coordinated conservation and management of these marine areas that will complement existing regulatory authorities;
"(3) to support, promote, and coordinate scientific research on, and monitoring of, the resources of these marine areas;
"(4) to enhance public awareness, understanding, appreciation, and wise use of the marine environment; and
"(5) to facilitate, to the extent compatible with the primary objective of resource protection, all public and private uses of the resources of these marine areas not prohibited pursuant to other authorities."
1984—
1980—
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Short Title of 2000 Amendment
Short Title of 1996 Amendment
Short Title of 1992 Amendment
Short Title of 1984 Amendment
Short Title
Safe Vessel Operation in the Great Lakes
Congressional Findings, Policy, and Declaration of Purpose
For statement of Congressional findings, policy, and declaration of purpose of
Executive Documents
Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions
For provisions relating to environmental effects abroad of major federal actions, see Ex. Ord. No. 12114, Jan. 4, 1979, 44 F.R. 1957, set out as a note under
Federal Compliance With Pollution Control Standards
For provisions relating to the responsibility of the head of each Executive agency for compliance with applicable pollution control standards, see Ex. Ord. No. 12088, Oct. 13, 1978, 43 F.R. 47707, set out as a note under
Prevention, Control, and Abatement of Environmental Pollution at Federal Facilities
Ex. Ord. No. 11752, Dec. 17, 1973, 38 F.R. 34793, set out as a note under
Ex. Ord. No. 13158. Marine Protected Areas
Ex. Ord. No. 13158, May 26, 2000, 65 F.R. 34909, provided:
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America and in furtherance of the purposes of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act (
(b) "Marine environment" means those areas of coastal and ocean waters, the Great Lakes and their connecting waters, and submerged lands thereunder, over which the United States exercises jurisdiction, consistent with international law.
(c) The term "United States" includes the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands of the United States, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
(1) science-based identification and prioritization of natural and cultural resources for additional protection;
(2) integrated assessments of ecological linkages among MPAs, including ecological reserves in which consumptive uses of resources are prohibited, to provide synergistic benefits;
(3) a biological assessment of the minimum area where consumptive uses would be prohibited that is necessary to preserve representative habitats in different geographic areas of the marine environment;
(4) an assessment of threats and gaps in levels of protection currently afforded to natural and cultural resources, as appropriate;
(5) practical, science-based criteria and protocols for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of MPAs;
(6) identification of emerging threats and user conflicts affecting MPAs and appropriate, practical, and equitable management solutions, including effective enforcement strategies, to eliminate or reduce such threats and conflicts;
(7) assessment of the economic effects of the preferred management solutions; and
(8) identification of opportunities to improve linkages with, and technical assistance to, international marine protected area programs.
(b) In carrying out the requirements of section 4 of this order, the Department of Commerce and the Department of the Interior shall consult with those States that contain portions of the marine environment, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands of the United States, American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, tribes, Regional Fishery Management Councils, and other entities, as appropriate, to promote coordination of Federal, State, territorial, and tribal actions to establish and manage MPAs.
(c) In carrying out the requirements of this section, the Department of Commerce and the Department of the Interior shall seek the expert advice and recommendations of non-Federal scientists, resource managers, and other interested persons and organizations through a Marine Protected Area Federal Advisory Committee. The Committee shall be established by the Department of Commerce.
(d) The Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior shall establish and jointly manage a website for information on MPAs and Federal agency reports required by this order. They shall also publish and maintain a list of MPAs that meet the definition of MPA for the purposes of this order.
(e) The Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall establish a Marine Protected Area Center to carry out, in cooperation with the Department of the Interior, the requirements of subsection 4(a) of this order, coordinate the website established pursuant to subsection 4(d) of this order, and partner with governmental and nongovernmental entities to conduct necessary research, analysis, and exploration. The goal of the MPA Center shall be, in cooperation with the Department of the Interior, to develop a framework for a national system of MPAs, and to provide Federal, State, territorial, tribal, and local governments with the information, technologies, and strategies to support the system. This national system framework and the work of the MPA Center is intended to support, not interfere with, agencies' independent exercise of their own existing authorities.
(f) To better protect beaches, coasts, and the marine environment from pollution, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), relying upon existing Clean Water Act [
(b) This order does not diminish, affect, or abrogate Indian treaty rights or United States trust responsibilities to Indian tribes.
(c) This order does not create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable in law or equity by a party against the United States, its agencies, its officers, or any person.
William J. Clinton.
Extension of Term of Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee
Term of Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee extended until Sept. 30, 2019, by Ex. Ord. No. 13811, Sept. 29, 2017, 82 F.R. 46363, formerly set out as a note under
Previous extension of term of Marine Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee was contained in the following prior Executive Order:
Ex. Ord. No. 13708, Sept. 30, 2015, 80 F.R. 60271, extended term until Sept. 30, 2017.
Conserving the Natural and Cultural Heritage of the Pacific Remote Islands
Memorandum of President of the United States, Mar. 24, 2023, 88 F.R. 19201, provided:
Memorandum for the Secretary of the Interior [and] the Secretary of Commerce
In the middle of the Pacific Ocean lie Howland, Baker, Jarvis, and Wake Islands; Johnston and Palmyra Atolls; and Kingman Reef, whose surrounding reefs, seamounts, and ocean are filled with some of the most diverse and remarkable marine life on the planet, including sharks, rays, marlin, tuna, giant clams, hawksbill turtles, ancient coral forests, and whales. Uninhabited today, for centuries wayfinders of Pacific Island Indigenous Peoples visited these islands while navigating through the expanse of the vast Pacific Ocean.
For years, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island Indigenous communities, conservation advocates, and scientists have advocated for the protection of United States waters around these remote islands from industrial fishing, oil drilling, and mining. Through Proclamation 8336 of January 6, 2009 (Establishment of the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument) [
The areas around Howland and Baker Islands, Palmyra Atoll, and Kingman Reef that remain unprotected include ecologically significant deep-water habitats and an associated array of seamounts with exceptional value for their biodiversity; spawning and feeding grounds for skipjack, yellowfin, and bigeye tuna species; and multiple apex predators that play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance and resilience of the ecosystem. Research continues to reveal the importance of these relatively unexplored habitats to the health, nutrient cycling, and carbon sequestration of the ocean.
To further ensure the protection of this unique and fragile area, support more abundant fisheries in surrounding areas, conserve the capacity of a healthy ocean to capture and store greenhouse gases that would otherwise enter the atmosphere, and appropriately honor ancestral, historical, and cultural connections to this and other Pacific conservation areas, and by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby direct the following:
(b) In any proposal of a National Marine Sanctuary designation, as described in subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary of Commerce shall identify the anticipated timeline for the completion of the National Marine Sanctuary designation process as expeditiously as possible, consistent with applicable law.
(c) For any final designation, the Secretary of Commerce shall establish a National Marine Sanctuary advisory council and pursue, as appropriate, opportunities to collaborate with Indigenous Peoples with ancestral, historical, and cultural connections to the area on planning and management.
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof;
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals; or
(iii) the provisions of Proclamation 8336 and Proclamation 9173, including those related to the rights, authorities, or exemptions for the Department of Defense and actions of the Armed Forces.
(b) This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
(d) The Secretary of Commerce is hereby authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.
J.R. Biden, Jr.
§1432. Definitions
As used in this chapter, the term—
(1) "draft management plan" means the plan described in section 1434(a)(1)(C)(v) 1 of this title;
(2) "Magnuson-Stevens Act" means the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (
(3) "marine environment" means those areas of coastal and ocean waters, the Great Lakes and their connecting waters, and submerged lands over which the United States exercises jurisdiction, including the exclusive economic zone, consistent with international law;
(4) "Secretary" means the Secretary of Commerce;
(5) "State" means each of the several States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and any other commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States;
(6) "damages" includes—
(A) compensation for—
(i)(I) the cost of replacing, restoring, or acquiring the equivalent of a sanctuary resource; and
(II) the value of the lost use of a sanctuary resource pending its restoration or replacement or the acquisition of an equivalent sanctuary resource; or
(ii) the value of a sanctuary resource if the sanctuary resource cannot be restored or replaced or if the equivalent of such resource cannot be acquired;
(B) the cost of damage assessments under
(C) the reasonable cost of monitoring appropriate to the injured, restored, or replaced resources;
(D) the cost of curation and conservation of archeological, historical, and cultural sanctuary resources; and
(E) the cost of enforcement actions undertaken by the Secretary in response to the destruction or loss of, or injury to, a sanctuary resource;
(7) "response costs" means the costs of actions taken or authorized by the Secretary to minimize destruction or loss of, or injury to, sanctuary resources, or to minimize the imminent risks of such destruction, loss, or injury, including costs related to seizure, forfeiture, storage, or disposal arising from liability under
(8) "sanctuary resource" means any living or nonliving resource of a national marine sanctuary that contributes to the conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, educational, cultural, archeological, scientific, or aesthetic value of the sanctuary; and
(9) "exclusive economic zone" means the exclusive economic zone as defined in the Magnuson-Stevens Act; and
(10) "System" means the National Marine Sanctuary System established by
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, referred to in par. (2), is
Amendments
2000—Par. (2).
Par. (6)(D), (E).
Par. (7).
Par. (8).
Par. (9).
Par. (10).
1996—Par. (6)(C).
Par. (7).
1992—Par. (1).
Par. (3).
Par. (5).
Par. (6)(C).
Par. (7).
Par. (9).
1988—Pars. (6) to (8).
1984—
1982—Subsec. (d).
1980—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (h).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Regulations
"(1) shall propose regulations implementing the amendments made by this title [enacting
"(2) shall issue final regulations implementing the amendments made by the Marine Sanctuaries Amendments of 1984 [enacting
Additional Definitions
1 See References in Text note below.
§1433. Sanctuary designation standards
(a) Standards
The Secretary may designate any discrete area of the marine environment as a national marine sanctuary and promulgate regulations implementing the designation if the Secretary determines that—
(1) the designation will fulfill the purposes and policies of this chapter;
(2) the area is of special national significance due to—
(A) its conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, scientific, cultural, archaeological, educational, or esthetic qualities;
(B) the communities of living marine resources it harbors; or
(C) its resource or human-use values;
(3) existing State and Federal authorities are inadequate or should be supplemented to ensure coordinated and comprehensive conservation and management of the area, including resource protection, scientific research, and public education;
(4) designation of the area as a national marine sanctuary will facilitate the objectives stated in paragraph (3); and
(5) the area is of a size and nature that will permit comprehensive and coordinated conservation and management.
(b) Factors and consultations required in making determinations and findings
(1) Factors
For purposes of determining if an area of the marine environment meets the standards set forth in subsection (a), the Secretary shall consider—
(A) the area's natural resource and ecological qualities, including its contribution to biological productivity, maintenance of ecosystem structure, maintenance of ecologically or commercially important or threatened species or species assemblages, maintenance of critical habitat of endangered species, and the biogeographic representation of the site;
(B) the area's historical, cultural, archaeological, or paleontological significance;
(C) the present and potential uses of the area that depend on maintenance of the area's resources, including commercial and recreational fishing, subsistence uses, other commercial and recreational activities, and research and education;
(D) the present and potential activities that may adversely affect the factors identified in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C);
(E) the existing State and Federal regulatory and management authorities applicable to the area and the adequacy of those authorities to fulfill the purposes and policies of this chapter;
(F) the manageability of the area, including such factors as its size, its ability to be identified as a discrete ecological unit with definable boundaries, its accessibility, and its suitability for monitoring and enforcement activities;
(G) the public benefits to be derived from sanctuary status, with emphasis on the benefits of long-term protection of nationally significant resources, vital habitats, and resources which generate tourism;
(H) the negative impacts produced by management restrictions on income-generating activities such as living and nonliving resources development;
(I) the socioeconomic effects of sanctuary designation;
(J) the area's scientific value and value for monitoring the resources and natural processes that occur there;
(K) the feasibility, where appropriate, of employing innovative management approaches to protect sanctuary resources or to manage compatible uses; and
(L) the value of the area as an addition to the System.
(2) Consultation
In making determinations and findings, the Secretary shall consult with—
(A) the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate;
(B) the Secretaries of State, Defense, Transportation, and the Interior, the Administrator, and the heads of other interested Federal agencies;
(C) the responsible officials or relevant agency heads of the appropriate State and local government entities, including coastal zone management agencies, that will or are likely to be affected by the establishment of the area as a national marine sanctuary;
(D) the appropriate officials of any Regional Fishery Management Council established by section 302 of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (
(E) other interested persons.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2000—Subsec. (a).
"(1) determines that—
"(A) the designation will fulfill the purposes and policies of this chapter;
"(B) the area is of special national significance due to—
"(i) its conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, scientific, cultural, archeological, educational, or esthetic qualities;
"(ii) the communities of living marine resources it harbors; or
"(iii) its resource or human-use values;
"(C) existing State and Federal authorities are inadequate or should be supplemented to ensure coordinated and comprehensive conservation and management of the area, including resource protection, scientific research, and public education;
"(D) designation of the area as a national marine sanctuary will facilitate the objectives in subparagraph (C); and
"(E) the area is of a size and nature that will permit comprehensive and coordinated conservation and management; and
"(2) finds that—
"(A) the area is of special national significance due to its resource or human-use values;
"(B) existing State and Federal authorities are inadequate or should be supplemented to ensure coordinated and comprehensive conservation and management of the area, including resource protection, scientific research, and public education;
"(C) designation of the area as a national marine sanctuary will facilitate the objectives in subparagraph (B); and
"(D) the area is of a size and nature that will permit comprehensive and coordinated conservation and management."
Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (b)(1)(J) to (L).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A).
Subsec. (b)(2)(D).
Subsec. (b)(3).
1992—Subsec. (a)(2)(B).
Subsec. (b)(1)(A).
Subsec. (b)(3).
1984—
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
Committee on Resources of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Natural Resources of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Jan. 5, 2007.
Effective Date of 2000 Amendment
| Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary.—45 F.R. 65198, Oct. 2, 1980; 15 C.F.R. part 922, subpart G. |
| Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary.—54 F.R. 22417, May 24, 1989; 15 C.F.R. part 922, subpart K; |
| Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.—15 C.F.R. part 922, subpart P; |
| Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.—56 F.R. 63634, Dec. 5, 1991; 60 F.R. 10312, Feb. 24, 1995; 15 C.F.R. part 922, subpart L; |
| Gerry E. Studds Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary (former Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary).—58 F.R. 53865, Oct. 19, 1993; 59 F.R. 53348, Oct. 24, 1994; 15 C.F.R. 922, subpart N; |
| Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary.—46 F.R. 7942, Jan. 26, 1981; 15 C.F.R. part 922, subpart I. |
| Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary (former Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary; former Point Reyes-Farallon Islands National Marine Sanctuary).—46 F.R. 7936, Jan. 26, 1981; 15 C.F.R. part 922, subpart H; 62 F.R. 3788, Jan. 27, 1997; 80 F.R. 34047, June 15, 2015. |
| Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.—15 C.F.R. part 922, subpart Q; |
| Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary.—84 F.R. 32586, July 8, 2019; 15 C.F.R. part 922, subpart S. |
| MONITOR National Marine Sanctuary.—40 F.R. 5349, Feb. 5, 1975; 40 F.R. 21706, May 19, 1975; 15 C.F.R. part 922, subpart F. |
| Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.—57 F.R. 43310, Sept. 18, 1992; 15 C.F.R. part 922, subpart M; |
| National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa (former Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary).—51 F.R. 15878, Apr. 29, 1986; 15 C.F.R. part 922, subpart J; 77 F.R. 43942, July 26, 2012, effective Oct. 15, 2012 (see 77 F.R. 65815). |
| Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary.—59 F.R. 24586, May 11, 1994; 15 C.F.R. 922, subpart O; |
| Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve.—65 F.R. 39042, June 19, 2000; 15 C.F.R. part 922, subpart R. |
| Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary.—86 F.R. 32737, June 23, 2021; 15 C.F.R. part 922, subpart T. |
Northwest Straits
§1434. Procedures for designation and implementation
(a) Sanctuary proposal
(1) Notice
In proposing to designate a national marine sanctuary, the Secretary shall—
(A) issue, in the Federal Register, a notice of the proposal, proposed regulations that may be necessary and reasonable to implement the proposal, and a summary of the draft management plan;
(B) provide notice of the proposal in newspapers of general circulation or electronic media in the communities that may be affected by the proposal; and
(C) no later than the day on which the notice required under subparagraph (A) is submitted to the Office of the Federal Register, submit a copy of that notice and the draft sanctuary designation documents prepared pursuant to paragraph (2), including an executive summary, to the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate, and the Governor of each State in which any part of the proposed sanctuary would be located.
(2) Sanctuary designation documents
The Secretary shall prepare and make available to the public sanctuary designation documents on the proposal that include the following:
(A) A draft environmental impact statement pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (
(B) A resource assessment that documents—
(i) present and potential uses of the area, including commercial and recreational fishing, research and education, minerals and energy development, subsistence uses, and other commercial, governmental, or recreational uses;
(ii) after consultation with the Secretary of the Interior, any commercial, governmental, or recreational resource uses in the areas that are subject to the primary jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior; and
(iii) information prepared in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Energy, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, on any past, present, or proposed future disposal or discharge of materials in the vicinity of the proposed sanctuary.
Public disclosure by the Secretary of such information shall be consistent with national security regulations.
(C) A draft management plan for the proposed national marine sanctuary that includes the following:
(i) The terms of the proposed designation.
(ii) Proposed mechanisms to coordinate existing regulatory and management authorities within the area.
(iii) The proposed goals and objectives, management responsibilities, resource studies, and appropriate strategies for managing sanctuary resources of the proposed sanctuary, including interpretation and education, innovative management strategies, research, monitoring and assessment, resource protection, restoration, enforcement, and surveillance activities.
(iv) An evaluation of the advantages of cooperative State and Federal management if all or part of the proposed sanctuary is within the territorial limits of any State or is superjacent to the subsoil and seabed within the seaward boundary of a State, as that boundary is established under the Submerged Lands Act (
(v) An estimate of the annual cost to the Federal Government of the proposed designation, including costs of personnel, equipment and facilities, enforcement, research, and public education.
(vi) The proposed regulations referred to in paragraph (1)(A).
(D) Maps depicting the boundaries of the proposed sanctuary.
(E) The basis for the determinations made under
(F) An assessment of the considerations under
(3) Public hearing
No sooner than thirty days after issuing a notice under this subsection, the Secretary shall hold at least one public hearing in the coastal area or areas that will be most affected by the proposed designation of the area as a national marine sanctuary for the purpose of receiving the views of interested parties.
(4) Terms of designation
The terms of designation of a sanctuary shall include the geographic area proposed to be included within the sanctuary, the characteristics of the area that give it conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, research, educational, or esthetic value, and the types of activities that will be subject to regulation by the Secretary to protect those characteristics. The terms of designation may be modified only by the same procedures by which the original designation is made.
(5) Fishing regulations
The Secretary shall provide the appropriate Regional Fishery Management Council with the opportunity to prepare draft regulations for fishing within the Exclusive Economic Zone as the Council may deem necessary to implement the proposed designation. Draft regulations prepared by the Council, or a Council determination that regulations are not necessary pursuant to this paragraph, shall be accepted and issued as proposed regulations by the Secretary unless the Secretary finds that the Council's action fails to fulfill the purposes and policies of this chapter and the goals and objectives of the proposed designation. In preparing the draft regulations, a Regional Fishery Management Council shall use as guidance the national standards of section 301(a) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (
(6) Committee action
After receiving the documents under subsection (a)(1)(C), the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate may each hold hearings on the proposed designation and on the matters set forth in the documents. If within the forty-five day period of continuous session of Congress beginning on the date of submission of the documents, either Committee issues a report concerning matters addressed in the documents, the Secretary shall consider this report before publishing a notice to designate the national marine sanctuary.
(b) Taking effect of designations
(1) Notice
In designating a national marine sanctuary, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register notice of the designation together with final regulations to implement the designation and any other matters required by law, and submit such notice to the Congress. The Secretary shall advise the public of the availability of the final management plan and the final environmental impact statement with respect to such sanctuary. The Secretary shall issue a notice of designation with respect to a proposed national marine sanctuary site not later than 30 months after the date a notice declaring the site to be an active candidate for sanctuary designation is published in the Federal Register under regulations issued under this Act, or shall publish not later than such date in the Federal Register findings regarding why such notice has not been published. No notice of designation may occur until the expiration of the period for Committee action under subsection (a)(6). The designation (and any of its terms not disapproved under this subsection) and regulations shall take effect and become final after the close of a review period of forty-five days of continuous session of Congress beginning on the day on which such notice is published unless, in the case of a national marine sanctuary that is located partially or entirely within the seaward boundary of any State, the Governor affected certifies to the Secretary that the designation or any of its terms is unacceptable, in which case the designation or the unacceptable term shall not take effect in the area of the sanctuary lying within the seaward boundary of the State.
(2) Withdrawal of designation
If the Secretary considers that actions taken under paragraph (1) will affect the designation of a national marine sanctuary in a manner that the goals and objectives of the sanctuary or System cannot be fulfilled, the Secretary may withdraw the entire designation. If the Secretary does not withdraw the designation, only those terms of the designation not certified under paragraph (1) shall take effect.
(3) Procedures
In computing the forty-five-day periods of continuous session of Congress pursuant to subsection (a)(6) and paragraph (1) of this subsection—
(A) continuity of session is broken only by an adjournment of Congress sine die; and
(B) the days on which either House of Congress is not in session because of an adjournment of more than three days to a day certain are excluded.
(c) Access and valid rights
(1) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed as terminating or granting to the Secretary the right to terminate any valid lease, permit, license, or right of subsistence use or of access that is in existence on the date of designation of any national marine sanctuary.
(2) The exercise of a lease, permit, license, or right is subject to regulation by the Secretary consistent with the purposes for which the sanctuary is designated.
(d) Interagency cooperation
(1) Review of agency actions
(A) In general
Federal agency actions internal or external to a national marine sanctuary, including private activities authorized by licenses, leases, or permits, that are likely to destroy, cause the loss of, or injure any sanctuary resource are subject to consultation with the Secretary.
(B) Agency statements required
Subject to any regulations the Secretary may establish each Federal agency proposing an action described in subparagraph (A) shall provide the Secretary with a written statement describing the action and its potential effects on sanctuary resources at the earliest practicable time, but in no case later than 45 days before the final approval of the action unless such Federal agency and the Secretary agree to a different schedule.
(2) Secretary's recommended alternatives
If the Secretary finds that a Federal agency action is likely to destroy, cause the loss of, or injure a sanctuary resource, the Secretary shall (within 45 days of receipt of complete information on the proposed agency action) recommend reasonable and prudent alternatives, which may include conduct of the action elsewhere, which can be taken by the Federal agency in implementing the agency action that will protect sanctuary resources.
(3) Response to recommendations
The agency head who receives the Secretary's recommended alternatives under paragraph (2) shall promptly consult with the Secretary on the alternatives. If the agency head decides not to follow the alternatives, the agency head shall provide the Secretary with a written statement explaining the reasons for that decision.
(4) Failure to follow alternative
If the head of a Federal agency takes an action other than an alternative recommended by the Secretary and such action results in the destruction of, loss of, or injury to a sanctuary resource, the head of the agency shall promptly prevent and mitigate further damage and restore or replace the sanctuary resource in a manner approved by the Secretary.
(e) Review of management plans
Not more than five years after the date of designation of any national marine sanctuary, and thereafter at intervals not exceeding five years, the Secretary shall evaluate the substantive progress toward implementing the management plan and goals for the sanctuary, especially the effectiveness of site-specific management techniques and strategies, and shall revise the management plan and regulations as necessary to fulfill the purposes and policies of this chapter. This review shall include a prioritization of management objectives.
(f) Limitation on designation of new sanctuaries
(1) Finding required
The Secretary may not publish in the Federal Register any sanctuary designation notice or regulations proposing to designate a new sanctuary, unless the Secretary has published a finding that—
(A) the addition of a new sanctuary will not have a negative impact on the System; and
(B) sufficient resources were available in the fiscal year in which the finding is made to—
(i) effectively implement sanctuary management plans for each sanctuary in the System; and
(ii) complete site characterization studies and inventory known sanctuary resources, including cultural resources, for each sanctuary in the System within 10 years after the date that the finding is made if the resources available for those activities are maintained at the same level for each fiscal year in that 10 year period.
(2) Deadline
If the Secretary does not submit the findings required by paragraph (1) before February 1, 2004, the Secretary shall submit to the Congress before October 1, 2004, a finding with respect to whether the requirements of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) have been met by all existing sanctuaries.
(3) Limitation on application
Paragraph (1) does not apply to any sanctuary designation documents for—
(A) a Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary; or
(B) a Northwestern Hawaiian Islands National Marine Sanctuary.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(A), is
The Submerged Lands Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(C)(iv), is act May 22, 1953, ch. 65,
This Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), means
Amendments
2000—Subsec. (a)(1)(C).
Subsec. (a)(2).
"(A) prepare a draft environmental impact statement, as provided by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (
"(B) make copies of the draft environmental impact statement available to the public."
Subsec. (a)(2)(E).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (d)(4).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (f)(2).
1996—Subsec. (b)(3).
"(B) When the committee to which a joint resolution has been referred has reported such a resolution, it shall at any time thereafter be in order to move to proceed to the consideration of the resolution. The motion shall be privileged and shall not be debatable. An amendment to the motion shall not be in order, and it shall not be in order to move to reconsider the vote by which the motion was agreed to or disagreed to.
"(C) This subsection is enacted by Congress as an exercise of the rulemaking power of each House of Congress, respectively, and as such is deemed a part of the rules of each House, respectively, but applicable only with respect to the procedure to be followed in the case of resolutions described in this subsection. This subsection supersedes other rules only to the extent that they are inconsistent therewith, and is enacted with full recognition of the constitutional right of either House to change the rules (so far as those relate to the procedure of that House) at any time, in the same manner, and to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of such House."
1992—Subsec. (a)(1)(C).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (b)(1).
"(A) the designation or any of its terms is disapproved by enactment of a joint resolution of disapproval described in paragraph (3); or
"(B) in the case of a natural marine sanctuary that is located partially or entirely within the seaward boundary of any State, the Governor affected certifies to the Secretary that the designation or any of its terms is unacceptable, in which case the designation or the unacceptable term shall not take effect in the area of the sanctuary lying within the seaward boundary of the State."
Subsec. (b)(2).
Subsec. (b)(3), (4).
Subsec. (c)(1).
"(A) was in existence on October 19, 1984, with respect to any national marine sanctuary designated before that date; or
"(B) is in existence on the date of designation of any national marine sanctuary, with respect to any national marine sanctuary designated after October 19, 1984."
Subsecs. (d), (e).
1988—Subsec. (b)(1).
1984—
1981—
1980—
1977—
1976—
1975—
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
Committee on Resources of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Natural Resources of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Jan. 5, 2007.
Effective Date of 2000 Amendments
Amendment by
§1435. Application of regulations; international negotiations and cooperation
(a) Regulations
This chapter and the regulations issued under
(1) generally recognized principles of international law;
(2) an agreement between the United States and the foreign state of which the person is a citizen; or
(3) an agreement between the United States and the flag state of a foreign vessel, if the person is a crewmember of the vessel.
(b) Negotiations
The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary, shall take appropriate action to enter into negotiations with other governments to make necessary arrangements for the protection of any national marine sanctuary and to promote the purposes for which the sanctuary is established.
(c) International cooperation
The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State and other appropriate Federal agencies, shall cooperate with other governments and international organizations in furtherance of the purposes and policies of this chapter and consistent with applicable regional and mutilateral 1 arrangements for the protection and management of special marine areas.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1992—
Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (c).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
International Cooperation
For direction that the Secretary of State seek effective international action and cooperation through the development of appropriate international rules and regulations in support of the policy of this chapter and
1 So in original. Probably should be "multilateral".
§1436. Prohibited activities
It is unlawful for any person to—
(1) destroy, cause the loss of, or injure any sanctuary resource managed under law or regulations for that sanctuary;
(2) possess, sell, offer for sale, purchase, import, export, deliver, carry, transport, or ship by any means any sanctuary resource taken in violation of this section;
(3) interfere with the enforcement of this chapter by—
(A) refusing to permit any officer authorized to enforce this chapter to board a vessel, other than a vessel operated by the Department of Defense or United States Coast Guard, subject to such person's control for the purposes of conducting any search or inspection in connection with the enforcement of this chapter;
(B) resisting, opposing, impeding, intimidating, harassing, bribing, interfering with, or forcibly assaulting any person authorized by the Secretary to implement this chapter or any such authorized officer in the conduct of any search or inspection performed under this chapter; or
(C) knowingly and willfully submitting false information to the Secretary or any officer authorized to enforce this chapter in connection with any search or inspection conducted under this chapter; or
(4) violate any provision of this chapter or any regulation or permit issued pursuant to this chapter.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2000—
Par. (2).
Par. (3).
1992—
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see
§1437. Enforcement
(a) In general
The Secretary shall conduct such enforcement activities as are necessary and reasonable to carry out this chapter.
(b) Powers of authorized officers
Any person who is authorized to enforce this chapter may—
(1) board, search, inspect, and seize any vessel suspected of being used to violate this chapter or any regulation or permit issued under this chapter and any equipment, stores, and cargo of such vessel;
(2) seize wherever found any sanctuary resource taken or retained in violation of this chapter or any regulation or permit issued under this chapter;
(3) seize any evidence of a violation of this chapter or of any regulation or permit issued under this chapter;
(4) execute any warrant or other process issued by any court of competent jurisdiction;
(5) exercise any other lawful authority; and
(6) arrest any person, if there is reasonable cause to believe that such person has committed an act prohibited by
(c) Criminal offenses
(1) Offenses
A person is guilty of an offense under this subsection if the person commits any act prohibited by
(2) Punishment
Any person that is guilty of an offense under this subsection—
(A) except as provided in subparagraph (B), shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 6 months, or both; or
(B) in the case of a person who in the commission of such an offense uses a dangerous weapon, engages in conduct that causes bodily injury to any person authorized to enforce this chapter or any person authorized to implement the provisions of this chapter, or places any such person in fear of imminent bodily injury, shall be fined under title 18, imprisoned for not more than 10 years, or both.
(d) Civil penalties
(1) Civil penalty
Any person subject to the jurisdiction of the United States who violates this chapter or any regulation or permit issued under this chapter shall be liable to the United States for a civil penalty of not more than $100,000 for each such violation, to be assessed by the Secretary. Each day of a continuing violation shall constitute a separate violation.
(2) Notice
No penalty shall be assessed under this subsection until after the person charged has been given notice and an opportunity for a hearing.
(3) In rem jurisdiction
A vessel used in violating this chapter or any regulation or permit issued under this chapter shall be liable in rem for any civil penalty assessed for such violation. Such penalty shall constitute a maritime lien on the vessel and may be recovered in an action in rem in the district court of the United States having jurisdiction over the vessel.
(4) Review of civil penalty
Any person against whom a civil penalty is assessed under this subsection may obtain review in the United States district court for the appropriate district by filing a complaint in such court not later than 30 days after the date of such order.
(5) Collection of penalties
If any person fails to pay an assessment of a civil penalty under this section after it has become a final and unappealable order, or after the appropriate court has entered final judgment in favor of the Secretary, the Secretary shall refer the matter to the Attorney General, who shall recover the amount assessed in any appropriate district court of the United States. In such action, the validity and appropriateness of the final order imposing the civil penalty shall not be subject to review.
(6) Compromise or other action by Secretary
The Secretary may compromise, modify, or remit, with or without conditions, any civil penalty which is or may be imposed under this section.
(e) Forfeiture
(1) In general
Any vessel (including the vessel's equipment, stores, and cargo) and other item used, and any sanctuary resource taken or retained, in any manner, in connection with or as a result of any violation of this chapter or of any regulation or permit issued under this chapter shall be subject to forfeiture to the United States pursuant to a civil proceeding under this subsection. The proceeds from forfeiture actions under this subsection shall constitute a separate recovery in addition to any amounts recovered as civil penalties under this section or as civil damages under
(2) Application of the customs laws
The Secretary may exercise the authority of any United States official granted by any relevant customs law relating to the seizure, forfeiture, condemnation, disposition, remission, and mitigation of property in enforcing this chapter.
(3) Disposal of sanctuary resources
Any sanctuary resource seized pursuant to this chapter may be disposed of pursuant to an order of the appropriate court, or, if perishable, in a manner prescribed by regulations promulgated by the Secretary. Any proceeds from the sale of such sanctuary resource shall for all purposes represent the sanctuary resource so disposed of in any subsequent legal proceedings.
(4) Presumption
For the purposes of this section there is a rebuttable presumption that all sanctuary resources found on board a vessel that is used or seized in connection with a violation of this chapter or of any regulation or permit issued under this chapter were taken or retained in violation of this chapter or of a regulation or permit issued under this chapter.
(f) Payment of storage, care, and other costs
(1) Expenditures
(A) Notwithstanding any other law, amounts received by the United States as civil penalties, forfeitures of property, and costs imposed under paragraph (2) shall be retained by the Secretary in the manner provided for in
(B) Amounts received under this section for forfeitures and costs imposed under paragraph (2) shall be used to pay the reasonable and necessary costs incurred by the Secretary to provide temporary storage, care, maintenance, and disposal of any sanctuary resource or other property seized in connection with a violation of this chapter or any regulation or permit issued under this chapter.
(C) Amounts received under this section as civil penalties and any amounts remaining after the operation of subparagraph (B) shall be used, in order of priority, to—
(i) manage and improve the national marine sanctuary with respect to which the violation occurred that resulted in the penalty or forfeiture;
(ii) pay a reward to any person who furnishes information leading to an assessment of a civil penalty, or to a forfeiture of property, for a violation of this chapter or any regulation or permit issued under this chapter; and
(iii) manage and improve any other national marine sanctuary.
(2) Liability for costs
Any person assessed a civil penalty for a violation of this chapter or of any regulation or permit issued under this chapter, and any claimant in a forfeiture action brought for such a violation, shall be liable for the reasonable costs incurred by the Secretary in storage, care, and maintenance of any sanctuary resource or other property seized in connection with the violation.
(g) Subpoenas
In the case of any hearing under this section which is determined on the record in accordance with the procedures provided for under
(h) Use of resources of State and other Federal agencies
The Secretary shall, whenever appropriate, use by agreement the personnel, services, and facilities of State and other Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities, on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis, to carry out the Secretary's responsibilities under this section.
(i) Coast Guard authority not limited
Nothing in this section shall be considered to limit the authority of the Coast Guard to enforce this or any other Federal law under section 89 1 of title 14.
(j) Injunctive relief
If the Secretary determines that there is an imminent risk of destruction or loss of or injury to a sanctuary resource, or that there has been actual destruction or loss of, or injury to, a sanctuary resource which may give rise to liability under
(k) Area of application and enforceability
The area of application and enforceability of this chapter includes the territorial sea of the United States, as described in Presidential Proclamation 5928 of December 27, 1988, which is subject to the sovereignty of the United States, and the United States exclusive economic zone, consistent with international law.
(l) Nationwide service of process
In any action by the United States under this chapter, process may be served in any district where the defendant is found, resides, transacts business, or has appointed an agent for the service of process.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Presidential Proclamation 5928 of December 27, 1988, referred to in subsec. (k), is set out as a note under
Amendments
2000—Subsec. (b)(6).
Subsecs. (c) to (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsecs. (h) to (k).
Subsec. (l).
1996—Subsec. (e)(1)(A).
1992—Subsec. (c)(1).
Subsec. (c)(3).
Subsec. (d)(1).
Subsec. (e)(1).
"(A) the reasonable and necessary costs incurred by the Secretary in providing temporary storage, care, and maintenance of any sanctuary resource or other property seized under this section pending disposition of any civil proceeding relating to any alleged violation with respect to which such property or sanctuary resource was seized; and
"(B) a reward to any person who furnishes information leading to an assessment of a civil penalty, or to a forfeiture of property, for a violation of this chapter or of any regulation or permit issued under this chapter."
Subsec. (j).
1988—
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Transfer of Functions
For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and for treatment of related references, see
Study of Joint Enforcement of Marine Sanctuary Regulations
1 See References in Text note below.
§1438. Repealed. Pub. L. 100–627, title II, §203(1), Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3214
Section,
§1439. Regulations
The Secretary may issue such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this chapter.
(
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 308 of
Amendments
2000—
§1440. Research, monitoring, and education
(a) In general
The Secretary shall conduct, support, or coordinate research, monitoring, evaluation, and education programs consistent with subsections (b) and (c) and the purposes and policies of this chapter.
(b) Research and monitoring
(1) In general
The Secretary may—
(A) support, promote, and coordinate research on, and long-term monitoring of, sanctuary resources and natural processes that occur in national marine sanctuaries, including exploration, mapping, and environmental and socioeconomic assessment;
(B) develop and test methods to enhance degraded habitats or restore damaged, injured, or lost sanctuary resources; and
(C) support, promote, and coordinate research on, and the conservation, curation, and public display of, the cultural, archeological, and historical resources of national marine sanctuaries.
(2) Availability of results
The results of research and monitoring conducted, supported, or permitted by the Secretary under this subsection shall be made available to the public.
(c) Education
(1) In general
The Secretary may support, promote, and coordinate efforts to enhance public awareness, understanding, and appreciation of national marine sanctuaries and the System. Efforts supported, promoted, or coordinated under this subsection must emphasize the conservation goals and sustainable public uses of national marine sanctuaries and the System.
(2) Educational activities
Activities under this subsection may include education of the general public, teachers, students, national marine sanctuary users, and ocean and coastal resource managers.
(d) Interpretive facilities
(1) In general
The Secretary may develop interpretive facilities near any national marine sanctuary.
(2) Facility requirement
Any facility developed under this subsection must emphasize the conservation goals and sustainable public uses of national marine sanctuaries by providing the public with information about the conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, cultural, archeological, scientific, educational, or esthetic qualities of the national marine sanctuary.
(e) Consultation and coordination
In conducting, supporting, and coordinating research, monitoring, evaluation, and education programs under subsection (a) and developing interpretive facilities under subsection (d), the Secretary may consult or coordinate with Federal, interstate, or regional agencies, States or local governments.
(
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 309 of
Amendments
2000—
"(a)
"(b)
1992—
"(1) requiring that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in conducting or supporting marine research, give priority to research involving national marine sanctuaries; and
"(2) consulting with other Federal and State agencies to promote use by such agencies of one or more sanctuaries for marine research."
§1441. Special use permits
(a) Issuance of permits
The Secretary may issue special use permits which authorize the conduct of specific activities in a national marine sanctuary if the Secretary determines such authorization is necessary—
(1) to establish conditions of access to and use of any sanctuary resource; or
(2) to promote public use and understanding of a sanctuary resource.
(b) Public notice required
The Secretary shall provide appropriate public notice before identifying any category of activity subject to a special use permit under subsection (a).
(c) Permit terms
A permit issued under this section—
(1) shall authorize the conduct of an activity only if that activity is compatible with the purposes for which the sanctuary is designated and with protection of sanctuary resources;
(2) shall not authorize the conduct of any activity for a period of more than 5 years unless renewed by the Secretary;
(3) shall require that activities carried out under the permit be conducted in a manner that does not destroy, cause the loss of, or injure sanctuary resources; and
(4) shall require the permittee to purchase and maintain comprehensive general liability insurance, or post an equivalent bond, against claims arising out of activities conducted under the permit and to agree to hold the United States harmless against such claims.
(d) Fees
(1) Assessment and collection
The Secretary may assess and collect fees for the conduct of any activity under a permit issued under this section.
(2) Amount
The amount of a fee under this subsection shall be equal to the sum of—
(A) costs incurred, or expected to be incurred, by the Secretary in issuing the permit;
(B) costs incurred, or expected to be incurred, by the Secretary as a direct result of the conduct of the activity for which the permit is issued, including costs of monitoring the conduct of the activity; and
(C) an amount which represents the fair market value of the use of the sanctuary resource.
(3) Use of fees
Amounts collected by the Secretary in the form of fees under this section may be used by the Secretary—
(A) for issuing and administering permits under this section; and
(B) for expenses of managing national marine sanctuaries.
(4) Waiver or reduction of fees
The Secretary may accept in-kind contributions in lieu of a fee under paragraph (2)(C), or waive or reduce any fee assessed under this subsection for any activity that does not derive profit from the access to or use of sanctuary resources.
(e) Violations
Upon violation of a term or condition of a permit issued under this section, the Secretary may—
(1) suspend or revoke the permit without compensation to the permittee and without liability to the United States;
(2) assess a civil penalty in accordance with
(3) both.
(f) Reports
Each person issued a permit under this section shall submit an annual report to the Secretary not later than December 31 of each year which describes activities conducted under that permit and revenues derived from such activities during the year.
(g) Fishing
Nothing in this section shall be considered to require a person to obtain a permit under this section for the conduct of any fishing activities in a national marine sanctuary.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2000—Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (d)(2)(C).
Subsec. (d)(3)(B).
Subsec. (d)(4).
Subsecs. (e) to (g).
§1442. Cooperative agreements, donations, and acquisitions
(a) Agreements and grants
The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements, contracts, or other agreements with, or make grants to, States, local governments, regional agencies, interstate agencies, or other persons to carry out the purposes and policies of this chapter.
(b) Authorization to solicit donations
The Secretary may enter into such agreements with any nonprofit organization authorizing the organization to solicit private donations to carry out the purposes and policies of this chapter.
(c) Donations
The Secretary may accept donations of funds, property, and services for use in designating and administering national marine sanctuaries under this chapter. Donations accepted under this section shall be considered as a gift or bequest to or for the use of the United States.
(d) Acquisitions
The Secretary may acquire by purchase, lease, or exchange, any land, facilities, or other property necessary and appropriate to carry out the purposes and policies of this chapter.
(e) Use of resources of other government agencies
The Secretary may, whenever appropriate, enter into an agreement with a State or other Federal agency to use the personnel, services, or facilities of such agency on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis, to assist in carrying out the purposes and policies of this chapter.
(f) Authority to obtain grants
Notwithstanding any other provision of law that prohibits a Federal agency from receiving assistance, the Secretary may apply for, accept, and use grants from other Federal agencies, States, local governments, regional agencies, interstate agencies, foundations, or other persons, to carry out the purposes and policies of this chapter.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2000—Subsec. (a).
Subsecs. (e), (f).
1996—
1992—
"(a)
"(1) to aid and promote interpretive, historical, scientific, and educational activities; and
"(2) for the solicitation of private donations for the support of such activities.
"(b)
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Enhancing Support for National Marine Sanctuaries
Section 2204 of title II of
§1443. Destruction or loss of, or injury to, sanctuary resources
(a) Liability
(1) Liability to United States
Any person who destroys, causes the loss of, or injures any sanctuary resource is liable to the United States for an amount equal to the sum of—
(A) the amount of response costs and damages resulting from the destruction, loss, or injury; and
(B) interest on that amount calculated in the manner described under
(2) Liability in rem
Any vessel used to destroy, cause the loss of, or injure any sanctuary resource shall be liable in rem to the United States for response costs and damages resulting from such destruction, loss, or injury. The amount of that liability shall constitute a maritime lien on the vessel and may be recovered in an action in rem in any district court of the United States that has jurisdiction over the vessel.
(3) Defenses
A person is not liable under this subsection if that person establishes that—
(A) the destruction or loss of, or injury to, the sanctuary resource was caused solely by an act of God, an act of war, or an act or omission of a third party, and the person acted with due care;
(B) the destruction, loss, or injury was caused by an activity authorized by Federal or State law; or
(C) the destruction, loss, or injury was negligible.
(4) Limits to liability
Nothing in sections 4281–4289 of the Revised Statutes of the United States or
(b) Response actions and damage assessment
(1) Response actions
The Secretary may undertake or authorize all necessary actions to prevent or minimize the destruction or loss of, or injury to, sanctuary resources, or to minimize the imminent risk of such destruction, loss, or injury.
(2) Damage assessment
The Secretary shall assess damages to sanctuary resources in accordance with
(c) Civil actions for response costs and damages
(1) The Attorney General, upon request of the Secretary, may commence a civil action against any person or vessel who may be liable under subsection (a) for response costs and damages. The Secretary, acting as trustee for sanctuary resources for the United States, shall submit a request for such an action to the Attorney General whenever a person may be liable for such costs or damages.
(2) An action under this subsection may be brought in the United States district court for any district in which—
(A) the defendant is located, resides, or is doing business, in the case of an action against a person;
(B) the vessel is located, in the case of an action against a vessel; or
(C) the destruction of, loss of, or injury to a sanctuary resource occurred.
(d) Use of recovered amounts
Response costs and damages recovered by the Secretary under this section shall be retained by the Secretary in the manner provided for in
(1) Response costs
Amounts recovered by the United States for costs of response actions and damage assessments under this section shall be used, as the Secretary considers appropriate—
(A) to reimburse the Secretary or any other Federal or State agency that conducted those activities; and
(B) after reimbursement of such costs, to restore, replace, or acquire the equivalent of any sanctuary resource.
(2) Other amounts
All other amounts recovered shall be used, in order of priority—
(A) to restore, replace, or acquire the equivalent of the sanctuary resources that were the subject of the action, including for costs of monitoring and the costs of curation and conservation of archeological, historical, and cultural sanctuary resources;
(B) to restore degraded sanctuary resources of the national marine sanctuary that was the subject of the action, giving priority to sanctuary resources and habitats that are comparable to the sanctuary resources that were the subject of the action; and
(C) to restore degraded sanctuary resources of other national marine sanctuaries.
(3) Federal-State coordination
Amounts recovered under this section with respect to sanctuary resources lying within the jurisdiction of a State shall be used under paragraphs (2)(A) and (B) in accordance with the court decree or settlement agreement and an agreement entered into by the Secretary and the Governor of that State.
(e) Statute of limitations
An action for response costs or damages under subsection (c) shall be barred unless the complaint is filed within 3 years after the date on which the Secretary completes a damage assessment and restoration plan for the sanctuary resources to which the action relates.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Sections 4281–4289 of the Revised Statutes of the United States, referred to in subsec. (a)(4), were classified to sections 181 to 188 of the former Appendix to Title 46, Shipping, and section 175 of former Title 46. Sections 4281 to 4287 and 4289 of the Revised Statutes were repealed and restated in
Codification
In subsec. (a)(4), "
Amendments
2000—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d)(1), (2).
"(1)
"(2)
"(A) to restore, replace, or acquire the equivalent of the sanctuary resources which were the subject of the action;
"(B) to manage and improve the national marine sanctuary within which are located the sanctuary resources which were the subject of the action; and
"(C) to manage and improve any other national marine sanctuary."
Subsec. (e).
1996—Subsec. (b)(1).
1992—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(2).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (d)(3), (4).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
§1444. Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary—
(1) to carry out this chapter—
(A) $32,000,000 for fiscal year 2001;
(B) $34,000,000 for fiscal year 2002;
(C) $36,000,000 for fiscal year 2003;
(D) $38,000,000 for fiscal year 2004;
(E) $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2005; and
(2) for construction projects at national marine sanctuaries, $6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2000—
1996—
1992—
1990—Par. (2)(C).
§1445. U.S.S. Monitor artifacts and materials
(a) Congressional policy
In recognition of the historical significance of the wreck of the United States ship Monitor to coastal North Carolina and to the area off the coast of North Carolina known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic, the Congress directs that a suitable display of artifacts and materials from the United States ship Monitor be maintained permanently at an appropriate site in coastal North Carolina.
(b) Disclaimer
This section shall not affect the following:
(1) Responsibilities of Secretary
The responsibilities of the Secretary to provide for the protection, conservation, and display of artifacts and materials from the United States ship Monitor.
(2) Authority of Secretary
The authority of the Secretary to designate the Mariner's Museum, located at Newport News, Virginia, as the principal museum for coordination of activities referred to in paragraph (1).
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2000—Subsecs. (b), (c).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Management, Recovery, and Preservation Plan for U.S.S. MONITOR
Graveyard of the Atlantic Artifacts
"(a)
"(1) the display and interpretation of artifacts recovered from the area of the Atlantic Ocean adjacent to North Carolina generally known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic, including artifacts recovered from the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary; and
"(2) administration and operations of the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary.
"(b)
"(c)
§1445a. Advisory Councils
(a) Establishment
The Secretary may establish one or more advisory councils (in this section referred to as an "Advisory Council") to advise and make recommendations to the Secretary regarding the designation and management of national marine sanctuaries. The Advisory Councils shall be exempt from
(b) Membership
Members of the Advisory Councils may be appointed from among—
(1) persons employed by Federal or State agencies with expertise in management of natural resources;
(2) members of relevant Regional Fishery Management Councils established under
(3) representatives of local user groups, conservation and other public interest organizations, scientific organizations, educational organizations, or others interested in the protection and multiple use management of sanctuary resources.
(c) Limits on membership
For sanctuaries designated after November 4, 1992, the membership of Advisory Councils shall be limited to no more than 15 members.
(d) Staffing and assistance
The Secretary may make available to an Advisory Council any staff, information, administrative services, or assistance the Secretary determines are reasonably required to enable the Advisory Council to carry out its functions.
(e) Public participation and procedural matters
The following guidelines apply with respect to the conduct of business meetings of an Advisory Council:
(1) Each meeting shall be open to the public, and interested persons shall be permitted to present oral or written statements on items on the agenda.
(2) Emergency meetings may be held at the call of the chairman or presiding officer.
(3) Timely notice of each meeting, including the time, place, and agenda of the meeting, shall be published locally and in the Federal Register, except that in the case of a meeting of an Advisory Council established to provide assistance regarding any individual national marine sanctuary the notice is not required to be published in the Federal Register.
(4) Minutes of each meeting shall be kept and contain a summary of the attendees and matters discussed.
(
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2022—Subsec. (a).
2000—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(2).
1996—
Subsec. (e)(3).
§1445b. Enhancing support for national marine sanctuaries
(a) Authority
The Secretary may establish a program consisting of—
(1) the creation, adoption, and publication in the Federal Register by the Secretary of a symbol for the national marine sanctuary program, or for individual national marine sanctuaries or the System;
(2) the solicitation of persons to be designated as official sponsors of the national marine sanctuary program or of individual national marine sanctuaries;
(3) the designation of persons by the Secretary as official sponsors of the national marine sanctuary program or of individual sanctuaries;
(4) the authorization by the Secretary of the manufacture, reproduction, or other use of any symbol published under paragraph (1), including the sale of items bearing such a symbol, by official sponsors of the national marine sanctuary program or of individual national marine sanctuaries;
(5) the creation, marketing, and selling of products to promote the national marine sanctuary program, and entering into exclusive or nonexclusive agreements authorizing entities to create, market or sell on the Secretary's behalf;
(6) the solicitation and collection by the Secretary of monetary or in-kind contributions from official sponsors for the manufacture, reproduction or use of the symbols published under paragraph (1);
(7) the retention of any monetary or in-kind contributions collected under paragraphs (5) and (6) by the Secretary; and
(8) the expenditure and use of any monetary and in-kind contributions, without appropriation, by the Secretary to designate and manage national marine sanctuaries.
Monetary and in-kind contributions raised through the sale, marketing, or use of symbols and products related to an individual national marine sanctuary shall be used to support that sanctuary.
(b) Contract authority
The Secretary may contract with any person for the creation of symbols or the solicitation of official sponsors under subsection (a).
(c) Restrictions
The Secretary may restrict the use of the symbols published under subsection (a), and the designation of official sponsors of the national marine sanctuary program or of individual national marine sanctuaries to ensure compatibility with the goals of the national marine sanctuary program.
(d) Property of United States
Any symbol which is adopted by the Secretary and published in the Federal Register under subsection (a) is deemed to be the property of the United States.
(e) Prohibited activities
It is unlawful for any person—
(1) designated as an official sponsor to influence or seek to influence any decision by the Secretary or any other Federal official related to the designation or management of a national marine sanctuary, except to the extent that a person who is not so designated may do so;
(2) to represent himself or herself to be an official sponsor absent a designation by the Secretary;
(3) to manufacture, reproduce, or otherwise use any symbol adopted by the Secretary under subsection (a)(1), including to sell any item bearing such a symbol, unless authorized by the Secretary under subsection (a)(4) or subsection (f); or
(4) to violate any regulation promulgated by the Secretary under this section.
(f) Collaborations
The Secretary may authorize the use of a symbol adopted by the Secretary under subsection (a)(1) of this section by any person engaged in a collaborative effort with the Secretary to carry out the purposes and policies of this chapter and to benefit a national marine sanctuary or the System.
(g) Authorization for non-profit partner organization to solicit sponsors
(1) In general
The Secretary may enter into an agreement with a non-profit partner organization authorizing it to assist in the administration of the sponsorship program established under this section. Under an agreement entered into under this paragraph, the Secretary may authorize the non-profit partner organization to solicit persons to be official sponsors of the national marine sanctuary system or of individual national marine sanctuaries, upon such terms as the Secretary deems reasonable and will contribute to the successful administration of the sanctuary system. The Secretary may also authorize the non-profit partner organization to collect the statutory contribution from the sponsor, and, subject to paragraph (2), transfer the contribution to the Secretary.
(2) Reimbursement for administrative costs
Under the agreement entered into under paragraph (1), the Secretary may authorize the non-profit partner organization to retain not more than 5 percent of the amount of monetary contributions it receives from official sponsors under the agreement to offset the administrative costs of the organization in soliciting sponsors.
(3) Partner organization defined
In this subsection, the term "partner organization" means an organization that—
(A) draws its membership from individuals, private organizations, corporations, academic institutions, or State and local governments; and
(B) is established to promote the understanding of, education relating to, and the conservation of the resources of a particular sanctuary or 2 or more related sanctuaries.
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was set out as a note under
Amendments
2000—Subsec. (a)(1).
Subsec. (a)(4).
Subsec. (e)(3).
Subsecs. (f), (g).
1996—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (a)(5).
Subsec. (a)(6).
Subsec. (a)(7).
Subsec. (a)(8).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Subsec. (e).
Subsec. (f).
Subsec. (g).
Subsec. (h).
"(1) the term 'national marine sanctuary' or 'national marine sanctuaries' means a national marine sanctuary or sanctuaries designated under this chapter, or by other law in accordance with this chapter;
"(2) the term 'official sponsor' means any person designated by the Secretary who is authorized to manufacture, reproduce, or use any symbol created, adopted, and published in the Federal Register under this section for a fee paid to the Secretary; and
"(3) the term 'Secretary' means the Secretary of Commerce."
§1445c. Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program
(a) Establishment
The Secretary shall establish and administer through the National Ocean Service the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program. Under the program, the Secretary shall award graduate education scholarships in oceanography, marine biology or maritime archeology, to be known as Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarships.
(b) Purposes
The purposes of the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program are—
(1) to recognize outstanding scholarship in oceanography, marine biology, or maritime archeology, particularly by women and members of minority groups; and
(2) to encourage independent graduate level research in oceanography, marine biology, or maritime archeology.
(c) Award
Each Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship—
(1) shall be used to support graduate studies in oceanography, marine biology, or maritime archeology at a graduate level institution of higher education; and
(2) shall be awarded in accordance with guidelines issued by the Secretary.
(d) Distribution of funds
The amount of each Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship shall be provided directly to a recipient selected by the Secretary upon receipt of certification that the recipient will adhere to a specific and detailed plan of study and research approved by a graduate level institution of higher education.
(e) Funding
Of the amount available each fiscal year to carry out this chapter, the Secretary shall award 1 percent as Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarships.
(f) Scholarship repayment requirement
The Secretary shall require an individual receiving a scholarship under this section to repay the full amount of the scholarship to the Secretary if the Secretary determines that the individual, in obtaining or using the scholarship, engaged in fraudulent conduct or failed to comply with any term or condition of the scholarship.
(g) Maritime archeology defined
In this section the term "maritime archeology" includes the curation, preservation, and display of maritime artifacts.
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
For similar provisions relating to the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program, see
§1445c–1. Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program
(a) Establishment
The Secretary of Commerce shall establish and administer through the National Ocean Service the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program. Under the program, the Secretary shall award graduate education scholarships in marine biology, oceanography, or maritime archaeology, including the curation, preservation, and display of maritime artifacts, to be known as "Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarships".
(b) Purpose
The purpose of the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program is to recognize outstanding scholarship in marine biology, oceanography, or maritime archaeology, particularly by women and members of minority groups, and encourage independent graduate level research in such fields of study.
(c) Award
Each Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship award—
(1) shall be used to support a candidate's graduate studies in marine biology, oceanography, or maritime archaeology at a sponsoring institution; and
(2) shall be made available to individual candidates in accordance with guidelines issued by the Secretary.
(d) Distribution of funds
The amount of each Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship shall be provided directly to each recipient selected by the Secretary upon receipt of certification that the recipient will adhere to a specific and detailed plan of study and research approved by the sponsoring institution.
(e) Funding
The Secretary shall make 1 percent of the amount appropriated each fiscal year to carry out the National Marine Sanctuaries Act [
(f) Scholarship repayment requirement
Repayment of the award shall be made to the Secretary in the case of fraud or noncompliance.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The National Marine Sanctuaries Act, referred to in subsec. (e), is title III of
Codification
For similar provisions relating to the Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program, see
Section was enacted as part of the Department of Commerce and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001, and also as part of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001, and not as part of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act which comprises this chapter.