§1904 Marine Mineral Research Centers

Summary

Within 90 days after October 19, 1996, the Secretary must pick three centers for marine mineral research. One center will focus on the U.S. continental shelf, one on deep seabed and near-shore island areas, and one on arctic and cold-water areas. The Secretary should favor a U.S. university that runs a federal marine-minerals center, grants advanced degrees in related sciences, has established marine-mineral programs and facilities, works with industry and government and other schools, has engineering or design experience in at least two of these areas (seabed exploration systems, marine mining systems, mineral processing), and is a State Mining and Mineral Resources Research Institute. Each center must give technical help to the Secretary, advise on international matters, carry out research, training, and technology transfer about marine minerals, and support careful, efficient, and environmentally sound identification, exploration, and management. The Secretary should try to split funding equally among the three centers. No more than 5 percent of the yearly funds may pay program administration, and none of the money may be used to build or buy, expand, or remodel buildings (including site work and architect fees).