30 U.S.C. § 1904 : US Code - Section 1904: Marine mineral research centers

Search 30 U.S.C. § 1904 : US Code - Section 1904: Marine mineral research centers

(a) In general
No later than 90 days after October 19, 1996, the Secretary shall
designate 3 centers for marine mineral research and related
activities.
(b) Concentration
One center shall concentrate primarily on research in the
continental shelf regions of the United States, 1 center shall
concentrate primarily on research in deep seabed and near-shore
environments of islands, and 1 center shall concentrate primarily
on research in arctic and cold water regions.
(c) Criteria
In designating a center under this section, the Secretary shall
give priority to a university that -
(1) administers a federally funded center for marine minerals
research;
(2) matriculates students for advanced degrees in marine
geological sciences, nonenergy natural resources, and related
fields of science and engineering;
(3) is a United States university with established programs and
facilities that primarily focus on marine mineral resources;
(4) has engaged in collaboration and cooperation with industry,
governmental agencies, and other universities in the field of
marine mineral resources;
(5) has demonstrated significant engineering, development, and
design experience in two or more of the following areas; (!1)
(A) seabed exploration systems;
(B) marine mining systems; and
(C) marine mineral processing systems; and
(6) has been designated by the Secretary as a State Mining and
Mineral Resources Research Institute.
(d) Center activities
A center shall -
(1) provide technical assistance to the Secretary concerning
marine mineral resources;
(2) advise the Secretary on pertinent international activities
in marine mineral resources development;
(3) engage in research, training, and education transfer
associated with the characterization and utilization of marine
mineral resources; and
(4) promote the efficient identification, assessment,
exploration, and management of marine mineral resources in an
environmentally sound manner.
(e) Allocation of funds
In distributing funds to the centers designated under subsection
(a) of this section, the Secretary shall, to the extent
practicable, allocate an equal amount to each center.
(f) Limitations
(1) Administrative expenses
Not more than 5 percent of the amount made available to carry
out this section during a fiscal year may be used by the
Secretary for expenses associated with administration of the
program authorized by this section.
(2) Construction costs
None of the funds made available under this section may be used
for the construction of a new building or the acquisition,
expansion, remodeling, or alteration of an existing building
(including site grading and improvement and architect fees).