Title 43 — Public LandsRelease 119-73not60

§2104 Preparation of Guidelines

Title 43 › Chapter 39— ABANDONED SHIPWRECKS › § 2104

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

Within nine months after April 28, 1988, the Secretary of the Interior, through the National Park Service Director, must publish guidelines in the Federal Register. The guidelines must protect and improve underwater cultural resources, promote partnerships among divers, fishermen, archaeologists, salvors and others to manage state and federal shipwrecks, ease recreational access, and recognize those who discover or salvage wrecks. They must follow consultation with public and private groups and help States and federal agencies draft laws and rules under this chapter.

Full Legal Text

Title 43, §2104

Public Lands — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In order to encourage the development of underwater parks and the administrative cooperation necessary for the comprehensive management of underwater resources related to historic shipwrecks, the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Director of the National Park Service, shall within nine months after April 28, 1988, prepare and publish guidelines in the Federal Register which shall seek to:

(1)maximize the enhancement of cultural resources;

(2)foster a partnership among sport divers, fishermen, archeologists, salvors, and other interests to manage shipwreck resources of the States and the United States;

(3)facilitate access and utilization by recreational interests;

(4)recognize the interests of individuals and groups engaged in shipwreck discovery and salvage.

(b)Such guidelines shall be developed after consultation with appropriate public and private sector interests (including the Secretary of Commerce, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, sport divers, State Historic Preservation Officers, professional dive operators, salvors, archeologists, historic preservationists, and fishermen).

(c)Such guidelines shall be available to assist States and the appropriate Federal agencies in developing legislation and regulations to carry out their responsibilities under this chapter.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

43 U.S.C. § 2104

Title 43 — Public Lands

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60