§2738 North Pacific Marine Research Institute

Summary

Create a North Pacific Marine Research Institute at the Alaska SeaLife Center. The North Pacific Research Board will run it. The Institute must do research, education, and demonstration projects about the North Pacific marine ecosystem. It will focus on marine mammals, seabirds, fish, and shellfish in the Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska, including areas near Kenai Fjords National Park and the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. The Institute may lease, operate, and upgrade the research tools and facilities it needs at the Alaska SeaLife Center. The Secretary of Commerce can check the Institute sometimes to make sure money is used properly. Institute staff are not federal employees, and chapter 10 of title 5 does not apply. Funds may not be used to start lawsuits or buy land (leasing space at the Alaska SeaLife Center is allowed). No more than 10 percent of funds for the research and education work may pay for running the Institute. The Institute must publish its results and give copies on request, and must send copies to the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and NOAA. Administrative funds of the Institute and of the North Pacific Research Board (created by Public Law 105–83) may be used together to run programs if the Board agrees.