33 U.S.C. § 1973: Agreement with the Marine…

Summary

The Secretary may make an agreement with the Marine Debris Foundation to run the prize competition. Under that deal, the Foundation must advertise the contest, recruit participants, handle and receive federal and non‑federal money to run the contest and pay prizes, raise private funds to help cover costs, and protect participants’ trade secrets and confidential business information. The Foundation must also talk with experts from federal and state agencies, conservation groups, industry, researchers, and standards specialists when it designs and awards the prize. The Foundation must work with the Secretary to make winner criteria and advise on picking judges, with the Secretary giving final approval. It must name one or more winners each year and, subject to rules below, give one or more cash prizes every two years of at least $100,000. Extra cash prizes are allowed only if paid entirely with non‑federal funds and the Under Secretary sets the amount after the Foundation says funds are available. The Foundation may accept federal and non‑federal donations, may let a donor name a prize, and must not give donors special treatment.

Title 33, §1973

Navigation and Navigable Waters, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In general

The Secretary may offer to enter into an agreement, which may include a grant or cooperative agreement, under which the Marine Debris Foundation established under subchapter II may administer the prize competition.

(b)Requirements

An agreement entered into under subsection (a) shall comply with the following requirements:

(1)Duties

The Marine Debris Foundation shall—

(A)advertise the prize competition;

(B)solicit prize competition participants;

(C)administer funds relating to the prize competition;

(D)receive Federal and non-Federal funds—

(i)to administer the prize competition; and

(ii)to award a cash prize;

(E)carry out activities to generate contributions of non-Federal funds to offset, in whole or in part—

(i)the administrative costs of the prize competition; and

(ii)the costs of a cash prize;

(F)in the design and award of the prize, consult, as appropriate with experts from—

(i)Federal agencies with jurisdiction over the prevention of marine debris or the promotion of innovative materials;

(ii)State agencies with jurisdiction over the prevention of marine debris or the promotion of innovative materials;

(iii)State, regional, or local conservation or post-consumer materials management organizations, the mission of which relates to the prevention of marine debris or the promotion of innovative materials;

(iv)conservation groups, technology companies, research institutions, scientists (including those with expertise in marine environments) institutions of higher education, industry, or individual stakeholders with an interest in the prevention of marine debris or the promotion of innovative materials;

(v)experts in the area of standards development regarding the degradation, breakdown, or recycling of polymers; and

(vi)other relevant experts of the Board’s choosing;

(G)in consultation with, and subject to final approval by, the Secretary, develop criteria for the selection of prize competition winners;

(H)provide advice and consultation to the Secretary on the selection of judges under section 1974 of this title based on criteria developed in consultation with, and subject to the final approval of, the Secretary;

(I)announce 1 or more annual winners of the prize competition;

(J)subject to paragraph (2), award 1 or more cash prizes biennially of not less than $100,000; and

(K)protect against unauthorized use or disclosure by the Marine Debris Foundation of any trade secret or confidential business information of a prize competition participant.

(2)Additional cash prizes

The Marine Debris Foundation may award more than 1 cash prize in a year—

(A)if the initial cash prize referred to in paragraph (1)(J) and any additional cash prizes are awarded using only non-Federal funds; and

(B)consisting of an amount determined by the Under Secretary after the Secretary is notified by the Marine Debris Foundation that non-Federal funds are available for an additional cash prize.

(3)Solicitation of funds

The Marine Debris Foundation—

(A)may request and accept Federal funds and non-Federal funds for a cash prize or administration of the prize competition;

(B)may accept a contribution for a cash prize in exchange for the right to name the prize; and

(C)shall not give special consideration to any Federal agency or non-Federal entity in exchange for a donation for a cash prize awarded under this section.

Editorial Notes

Codification Section was formerly classified to section 4233 of this title prior to renumbering by Pub. L. 119–65.

Amendments

2025—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 119–65, § 6(c), substituted “subchapter II” for “title I”.

§1973 Agreement with the Marine Debris Foundation

Summary

Title 33, §1973

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Citations & Metadata