§2441 Federal Agency Cooperation

Summary

The Director of the National Science Foundation must keep funding basic research on the Antarctic marine ecosystem as part of the United States Antarctic Program. The Secretary of Commerce must design and run a directed scientific research program that supplements and coordinates with that Program. The Secretary of Commerce and the NSF Director may provide people and facilities to the Commission to help it do its work. The Secretary of Commerce must make, and update every year, a plan for each three‑year period during the time between October 1, 1985, and September 30, 1991. Each plan must list research priorities, say which ones the United States will cover, and describe the research design and the money, staff, and facilities needed, including any extra ship capacity. The Secretary must try to get useful results, avoid repeating work, and include ways to monitor and evaluate projects. The plan goes to Congress each year; the part for fiscal years 1986 through 1988 is due by October 1, 1985, and each later three‑year part is due by February 1 before the first fiscal year it covers. The Secretary of State, the Secretary of Commerce, and the NSF Director must consult with the Marine Mammal Commission and other agencies as needed. The Department of Homeland Security must help plan and support icebreakers for Antarctic research, and all funds needed for icebreaking operations, except recurring incremental project costs, must be given to the United States Coast Guard.