TITLE 16 - US CODE - CHAPTER 74 - NATIONAL MARITIME HERITAGE

16 USC 5401 - Findings

The Congress finds and declares the following:
(1) The United States is a nation with a rich maritime history, and it is desirable to foster in the American public a greater awareness and appreciation of the role of maritime endeavors in our Nations history and culture.
(2) The maritime historical and cultural foundations of the Nation should be preserved as a part of our community life and development.
(3) National, State, and local groups have been working independently to preserve the maritime heritage of the United States.
(4) Historic resources significant to the Nations maritime heritage are being lost or substantially altered, often inadvertently, with increasing frequency.
(5) The preservation of this irreplaceable maritime heritage is in the public interest so that its vital legacy of cultural, educational, aesthetic, inspirational, and economic benefits will be maintained and enriched for future generations of Americans.
(6) The current governmental and nongovernmental historic preservation programs and activities are inadequate to ensure future generations a genuine opportunity to appreciate and enjoy the rich maritime heritage of our Nation.
(7) A coordinated national program is needed immediately to redress the adverse consequences of a period of indifference during which the maritime heritage of the United States has become endangered and to ensure the future preservation of the Nations maritime heritage.
(8) A national maritime heritage policy would greatly increase public awareness of, and participation in, the preservation of the Nations maritime heritage.

16 USC 5402 - National maritime heritage policy

It shall be the policy of the Federal Government, in partnership with the States and local governments and private organizations and individuals, to
(1) use measures, including financial and technical assistance, to foster conditions under which our modern society and our historic maritime resources can exist in productive harmony;
(2) provide leadership in the preservation of the historic maritime resources of the United States;
(3) contribute to the preservation of historic maritime resources and give maximum encouragement to organizations and individuals undertaking preservation by private means; and
(4) assist State and local governments to expand their maritime historic preservation programs and activities.

16 USC 5403 - National Maritime Heritage Grants Program

(a) Establishment 
There is hereby established within the Department of the Interior the National Maritime Heritage Grants Program, to foster in the American public a greater awareness and appreciation of the role of maritime endeavors in our Nations history and culture. The Program shall consist of
(1) annual grants to the National Trust for Historic Preservation for subgrants administered by the National Trust for maritime heritage education projects under subsection (b) of this section;
(2) grants to State Historic Preservation Officers for maritime heritage preservation projects carried out or administered by those Officers under subsection (c) of this section; and
(3) grants for interim projects under subsection (j) of this section.
(b) Grants for maritime heritage education projects 

(1) Grants to National Trust for Historic Preservation 
The Secretary, subject to paragraphs (2), (3), and (4),[1] and the availability of amounts for that purpose under section 5405 (b)(1)(A) of this title, shall make an annual grant to the National Trust for maritime heritage education projects.
(2) Use of grants 
Amounts received by the National Trust as an annual grant under this subsection shall be used to make subgrants to State and local governments and private nonprofit">nonprofit organizations to carry out education projects which have been approved by the Secretary under subsection (f) of this section and which consist of
(A) assistance to any maritime museum or historical society for
(i) existing and new educational programs, exhibits, educational activities, conservation, and interpretation of artifacts and collections;
(ii) minor improvements to educational and museum facilities; and
(iii) other similar activities;
(B) activities designed to encourage the preservation of traditional maritime skills, including
(i) building and operation of vessels of all sizes and types for educational purposes;
(ii) special skills such as wood carving, sail making, and rigging;
(iii) traditional maritime art forms; and
(iv) sail training;
(C) other educational activities relating to historic maritime resources, including
(i) maritime educational waterborne-experience programs in historic vessels or vessel reproductions;
(ii) maritime archaeological field schools; and
(iii) educational programs on other aspects of maritime history;
(D) heritage programs focusing on maritime historic resources, including maritime heritage trails and corridors; or
(E) the construction and use of reproductions of historic maritime resources for educational purposes, if a historic maritime resource no longer exists or would be damaged or consumed through direct use.
(c) Grants for maritime heritage preservation projects 

(1) Grants to State Historic Preservation Officers 
The Secretary, acting through the National Maritime Initiative of the National Park Service and subject to paragraphs (2) and (3),[2] and the availability of amounts for that purpose under section 5405 (b)(1)(B) of this title, shall make grants to State Historic Preservation Officers for maritime heritage preservation projects.
(2) Use of grants 
Amounts received by a State Historic Preservation Officer as a grant under this subsection shall be used by the Officer to carry out[3] or to make subgrants to local governments and private nonprofit">nonprofit organizations to carry out, projects which have been approved by the Secretary under subsection (f) of this section for the preservation of historic maritime resources through
(A) identification of historic maritime resources, including underwater archaeological sites;
(B) acquisition of historic maritime resources for the purposes of preservation;
(C) repair, restoration, stabilization, maintenance, or other capital improvements to historic maritime resources, in accordance with standards prescribed by the Secretary; and
(D) research, recording (through drawings, photographs, or otherwise), planning (through feasibility studies, architectural and engineering services, or otherwise), and other services carried out as part of a preservation program for historic maritime resources.
(d) Criteria for direct grant and subgrant eligibility 
To qualify for a subgrant from the National Trust under subsection (b) of this section, or a direct grant to or a subgrant from a State Historic Preservation Officer under subsection (c) of this section, a person must
(1) demonstrate that the project for which the direct grant or subgrant will be used has the potential for reaching a broad audience with an effective educational program based on American maritime history, technology, or the role of maritime endeavors in American culture;
(2) match the amount of the direct grant or subgrant, on a 1-to-1 basis, with non-Federal assets from non-Federal sources, which may include cash or donated services fairly valued as determined by the Secretary;
(3) maintain records as may be reasonably necessary to fully disclose
(A) the amount and the disposition of the proceeds of the direct grant or subgrant;
(B) the total cost of the project for which the direct grant or subgrant is made; and
(C) other records as may be required by the Secretary, including such records as will facilitate an effective accounting for project funds;
(4) provide access to the Secretary for the purposes of any required audit and examination of any books, documents, papers, and records of the person; and
(5) be a unit of State or local government, or a private nonprofit">nonprofit organization.
(e) Procedures, terms, and conditions 

(1) Application procedures 
An application for a subgrant under subsection (b) of this section, or a direct grant or subgrant under subsection (c) of this section, shall be submitted under procedures prescribed by the Secretary.
(2) Terms and conditions 
A person may not receive a subgrant under subsection (b) of this section, or a direct grant or subgrant under subsection (c) of this section, unless the person has agreed to assume, after completion of the project for which the direct grant or subgrant is awarded, the total cost of the continued maintenance, repair, and administration of any property for which the subgrant will be used in a manner satisfactory to the Secretary.
(f) Review of proposals 

(1) Committee recommendations 
The National Maritime Heritage Grants Committee[4] shall review applications for subgrants under subsection (b) of this section, and direct grants or subgrants under subsection (c) of this section, and submit recommendations to the Secretary regarding projects which should receive funding under those direct grants and subgrants.
(2) Allocation of grant funding 
To the extent feasible, the Secretary shall ensure that the amount made available under subsection (b) of this section for maritime heritage education projects is equal to the amount made available under subsection (c) of this section for maritime heritage preservation projects.
(3) Limitation 
The amount provided by the Secretary in a fiscal year as grants under this section for projects relating to historic maritime resources owned or operated by the Federal Government shall not exceed 40 percent of the total amount available for the fiscal year for grants under this section.
(g) Direct grants and subgrants process 

(1) Direct grants and subgrants solicitation 
The Secretary shall publish annually in the Federal Register and otherwise as the Secretary considers appropriate
(A) a solicitation of applications for direct grants and subgrants under this section;
(B) a list of priorities for the making of those direct grants and subgrants;
(C) a single deadline for the submission of applications for those direct grants and subgrants; and
(D) other relevant information.
(2) Receipt and approval or disapproval of direct grant and subgrant applications 
Within 60 days after the submission of recommendations by the Committee to the Secretary under subsection (h)(6) of this section, the Secretary shall review and approve or disapprove a direct grant or subgrant for each project recommended by the Committee and provide to the Committee and the applicant the reasons for that approval or disapproval.
(h) Direct grant and subgrant administration 
The National Trust shall be responsible for administering subgrants for maritime heritage education projects under subsection (b) of this section, the Secretary shall be responsible for administering direct grants for maritime heritage preservation projects under subsection (c) of this section, and the various State Historic Preservation Officers shall be responsible for administering subgrants for maritime heritage preservation projects under subsection (c) of this section, by
(1) publicizing the Program to prospective grantees, subgrantees, and to the public at large, in cooperation with the National Park Service, the Maritime Administration, and other appropriate government agencies and private institutions;
(2) answering inquiries from the public, including providing information on the Program as requested;
(3) distributing direct grant and subgrant applications;
(4) receiving direct grant and subgrant applications and ensuring their completeness;
(5) forwarding the applications to the Committee for review and recommendation;
(6) submitting to the Secretary applications that the Committee recommends should be approved by the Secretary;
(7) keeping records of all direct grant and subgrant awards and expenditures of funds;
(8) monitoring progress of projects carried out with direct grants and subgrants; and
(9) providing to the Secretary such progress reports as may be required by the Secretary.
(i) Assistance of maritime preservation organizations 
The Secretary, the National Trust, and the State Historic Preservation Officers may, individually or jointly, enter into cooperative agreements with any private nonprofit">nonprofit organization with appropriate expertise in maritime preservation issues, or other qualified maritime preservation organizations, to assist in the administration of the Program.
(j) Grants for interim projects 

(1) Grants authority 
The Secretary, subject to paragraph (3), may use amounts available under section 5405 (b)(2) of this title to make one or more grants described in paragraph (2).
(2) Grants described 
The grants referred to in paragraph (1) are the following:
(A) A grant to the National Museum Association (a nonprofit">nonprofit organization located in San Francisco, California) for payment of expenses directly related to the preservation and restoration of the historic fleet of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, located in San Francisco, California.
(B) A grant to the Virginia V Foundation (a nonprofit">nonprofit organization) for use in restoration and preservation of the historic steamship VIRGINIA V.
(C) A grant to any nonprofit">nonprofit organization which operates and maintains a former hospital ship to be converted to engage in public health activities, for use in refurbishing and maintaining the ship for those activities.
(D) A grant to the Mariners Museum (a not-for-profit educational institution located in Newport News, Virginia,[5] for use for expenses directly related to the computerization of the library and archives of that museum, including for the purpose of providing to the public enhanced national access to those materials.
(E) A grant for each of fiscal years 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, and 2000 to the Center for Maritime and Underwater Resource Management at Michigan State University, for a pilot project to plan, design, implement, and evaluate innovative approaches to management and development of maritime and underwater cultural resources at the following sites: Thunder Bay, the Manitou Passage, Isle Royale National Park, Keweenaw Peninsula, Marquette County, Alger County, Whitefish Point, the Straits of Mackinac, the Thumb Area, and Sanilac Shores.
(3) Grant conditions 
The Secretary may not make a grant under this subsection unless the grantee complies with the requirements set forth in paragraphs (1) through (5) of subsection (d) of this section.
(k) Report to Congress 
The Secretary shall submit to the Congress, after review by the Committee, an annual report on the Program, including
(1) a description of each project funded under the Program in the period covered by the report;
(2) the results or accomplishments of each such project; and
(3) recommended priorities for achieving the policy set forth in section 5402 of this title.
[1] So in original. No pars. (3) and (4) have been enacted.
[2] So in original. No par. (3) has been enacted.
[3] So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
[4] So in original. Probably should be “National Maritime Heritage Grants Advisory Committee”.
[5] So in original. The comma probably should be a closing parenthesis.

16 USC 5404 - National Maritime Heritage Grants Advisory Committee

(a) Establishment 
There is hereby established a National Maritime Heritage Grants Advisory Committee.
(b) Membership 

(1) In general 
The Committee shall consist of 13 members appointed by the Secretary from among individual members of the public who
(A) are representatives of various sectors of the maritime community who are knowledgeable and experienced in maritime heritage and preservation;
(B) to the extent practicable, are selected in a manner that ensures regional geographic balance;
(C) to the extent practicable, include a representative of each of the fields of
(i) small craft preservation;
(ii) large vessel preservation;
(iii) sail training;
(iv) preservation architecture;
(v) underwater archaeology;
(vi) lighthouse preservation;
(vii) maritime education;
(viii) military naval history;
(ix) maritime museums or historical societies;
(x) maritime arts and crafts;
(xi) maritime heritage tourism; and
(xii) maritime recreational resources management; and
(D) include a member of the general public.
(2) Ex officio members 
In addition to the members appointed under paragraph (1), the President of the National Trust and the President of the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (or their respective designees) shall be ex officio voting members of the Committee.
(3) Term 
The term of a member of the Committee appointed under paragraph (1) shall be 3 years, except that of the members first appointed 4 shall be appointed for an initial term of 1 year and 4 shall be appointed for an initial term of 2 years, as specified by the Secretary at the time of appointment.
(4) Completion of appointments 
The Secretary shall complete appointment of the members of the Committee under paragraph (1) by not later than 120 days after November 2, 1994.
(5) Vacancies 
In the case of a vacancy in the membership of the Committee appointed under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall appoint an individual to serve the remainder of the term that is vacant by not later than 60 days after the vacancy occurs.
(c) Federal Government ex officio members 
There shall be ex officio Federal Government members of the Committee as follows:
(1) At least 1 individual designated by each of
(A) the Director of the National Park Service;
(B) the Administrator of the Maritime Administration;
(C) the Commandant of the Coast Guard;
(D) the Secretary of the Navy;
(E) the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; and
(F) the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.
(2) Other representatives designated by the heads of such other interested Federal Government agencies as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(d) Duties of Committee 
The duties of the Committee include
(1) reviewing direct grant and subgrant proposals and making funding recommendations to the Secretary;
(2) identifying and advising the Secretary regarding priorities for achieving the policy set forth in section 5402 of this title;
(3) reviewing the Secretarys annual report to the Congress under section 5403 (k) of this title; and
(4) performing any other duties the Secretary considers appropriate.
(e) Quorum 
Nine members of the Committee shall constitute a quorum for making recommendations on subgrant applications.
(f) Appointments process 
The Secretary shall
(1) publicize annually, in the Federal Register and through publications of preservation and maritime organizations, a request for submission of nominations for appointments to the Committee under subsection (b)(1) of this section; and
(2) designate from among the members of the Committee
(A) a Chairman; and
(B) a Vice Chairman who may act in place of the Chairman during the absence or disability of the Chairman or when the office of Chairman is vacant.
(g) Compensation and travel expenses 
An individual shall not receive any pay by reason of membership on the Committee. While away from home or regular place of business in the performance of service for the Committee, a member of the Committee shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in the same manner as a person employed intermittently in the Government service is allowed expenses under section 5703 of title 5.
(h) Staff of Federal agencies 
Upon request of the Committee, the Secretary may detail, on a reimbursable basis, any of the personnel of the Department of the Interior to the Committee to assist it in carrying out its duties under this chapter.
(i) Administrative support services 
Upon the request of the Committee, the National Trust shall provide to the Committee the support services necessary for the Committee to carry out its duties under this chapter.
(j) Relationship to other law 
The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall apply to the Committee, except that meetings of the Committee may be closed to the public by majority vote and section 14(b) of that Act does not apply to the Committee.
(k) Termination 
The Committee shall terminate on September 30, 2000.

16 USC 5405 - Funding

(a) Availability of funds from sale and scrapping of obsolete vessels 

(1) In general 
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the amount of funds credited in a fiscal year to the Vessel Operations Revolving Fund established by section 50301 (a) of title 46 that is attributable to the sale of obsolete vessels in the National Defense Reserve Fleet that are scrapped or sold under section 57102, 57103, or 57104 of title 46 shall be available until expended as follows:
(A) 50 percent shall be available to the Administrator of the Maritime Administration for such acquisition, maintenance, repair, reconditioning, or improvement of vessels in the National Defense Reserve Fleet as is authorized under other Federal law.
(B) 25 percent shall be available to the Administrator of the Maritime Administration for the payment or reimbursement of expenses incurred by or on behalf of State maritime academies or the United States Merchant Marine Academy for facility and training ship maintenance, repair, and modernization, and for the purchase of simulators and fuel.
(C) The remainder shall be available to the Secretary to carry out the Program, as provided in subsection (b) of this section.
(2) Application 
Paragraph (1) does not apply to amounts credited to the Vessel Operations Revolving Fund before July 1, 1994.
(b) Use of amounts for Program 

(1) In general 
Except as provided in paragraph (2), of amounts available each fiscal year for the Program under subsection (a)(1)(C) of this section
(A) 1/2 shall be used for grants under section 5403 (b) of this title; and
(B) 1/2 shall be used for grants under section 5403 (c) of this title.
(2) Use for interim projects 
Amounts available for the Program under subsection (a)(1)(C) of this section that are the proceeds of any of the first 8 obsolete vessels in the National Defense Reserve Fleet that are sold or scrapped after July 1, 1994, under section 57102, 57103, or 57104 of title 46 are available to the Secretary for grants for interim projects approved under section 5403 (j) of this title.
(3) Administrative expenses 

(A) In general 
Not more than 15 percent or $500,000, whichever is less, of the amount available for the Program under subsection (a)(1)(C) of this section for a fiscal year may be used for expenses of administering the Program.
(B) Allocation 
Of the amount available under subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year
(i) 1/2 shall be allocated to the National Trust for expenses incurred in administering grants under section 5403 (b) of this title; and
(ii) 1/2 shall be allocated as appropriate by the Secretary to the National Park Service and participating State Historic Preservation Officers.
(c) Disposals of vessels 

(1) Requirement 
The Secretary of Transportation shall dispose (either by sale or purchase of disposal services) of all vessels described in paragraph (2)
(A) in accordance with a priority system for disposing of vessels, as determined by the Secretary, which shall include provisions requiring the Maritime Administration to
(i) dispose of all deteriorated high priority ships that are available for disposal, within 12 months of their designation as such; and
(ii) give priority to the disposition of those vessels that pose the most significant danger to the environment or cost the most to maintain;
(B) in the manner that provides the best value to the Government, except in any case in which obtaining the best value would require towing a vessel and such towing poses a serious threat to the environment; and
(C) in accordance with the plan of the Department of Transportation for disposal of those vessels and requirements under sections 57102 to 57104 of title 46.
(2) Vessels described 
The vessels referred to in paragraph (1) are the vessels in the National Defense Reserve Fleet after July 1, 1994, that
(A) are not assigned to the Ready Reserve Force component of that fleet; and
(B) are not specifically authorized or required by statute to be used for a particular purpose.
(d) Treatment of amounts available 
Amounts available under this section shall not be considered in any determination of the amounts available to the Department of the Interior.

16 USC 5406 - Definitions

In this chapter:
(1) Committee 
The term Committee means the Maritime Heritage Grants Advisory Committee established under section 5404 of this title.
(2) National Trust 
The term National Trust means the National Trust for Historic Preservation created by section 468 of this title.
(3) Private nonprofit">nonprofit organization 
The term private nonprofit">nonprofit organization means any person that is exempt from taxation under section 501 (a) of title 26 and described in section 501 (c)(3) of title 26.
(4) Program 
The term Program means the National Maritime Heritage Grants Program established by section 5403 (a) of this title.
(5) Secretary 
The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
(6) State Historic Preservation Officer 
The term State Historic Preservation Officer means a State Historic Preservation Officer appointed pursuant to paragraph (1)(A) of section 470a (b) of this title by the Governor of a State having a State Historic Preservation Program approved by the Secretary under that section.

16 USC 5407 - Regulations

The Secretary, after consultation with the National Trust, the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers, and appropriate members of the maritime heritage community, shall promulgate appropriate guidelines, procedures, and regulations within 1 year after November 2, 1994, to carry out the chapter, including regulations establishing terms of office for the initial membership of the Committee, direct grant and subgrant priorities, the method of solicitation and review of direct grant and subgrant proposals, criteria for review of direct grant and subgrant proposals, administrative requirements, reporting and recordkeeping requirements, and any other requirements the Secretary considers appropriate.

16 USC 5408 - Savings provision

The authorities contained in this chapter shall be in addition to, and shall not be construed to supercede or modify those contained in the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470470x6).

16 USC 5409 - Designation of Americas National Maritime Museum

(a) In general 
Americas National Maritime Museum is comprised of those museums designated by law to be museums of Americas National Maritime Museum on the basis that they
(1) house a collection of maritime artifacts clearly representing the Nations maritime heritage; and
(2) provide outreach programs to educate the public about the Nations maritime heritage.
(b) Initial designation of museums 
The following museums (meeting the criteria specified in subsection (a) of this section) are hereby designated as museums of Americas National Maritime Museum:
(1) The Mariners Museum, located at 100 Museum Drive, Newport News, Virginia.
(2) The South Street Seaport Museum, located at 207 Front Street, New York, New York.
(c) Future designation of other museums not precluded 
The designation of the museums referred to in subsection (b) of this section as museums of Americas National Maritime Museum does not preclude the designation by law after October 17, 1998, of any other museum that meets the criteria specified in subsection (a) of this section as a museum of Americas National Maritime Museum.
(d) Reference to museums 
Any reference in any law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to a museum designated by law to be a museum of Americas National Maritime Museum shall be deemed to be a reference to that museum as a museum of Americas National Maritime Museum.