54 U.S.C. § 307101: World Heritage Convention

Summary

The Secretary of the Interior must lead and coordinate U.S. participation in the World Heritage Convention with the Secretary of State, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Council. The Secretary can act directly or through Interior officers. When working with other countries, expenses should be paid using any available excess local currency. The Secretary must regularly nominate U.S. places that are already declared nationally significant for the World Heritage List and include proof of legal protections (like easements or covenants). Before nominating, the Secretary must notify the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Non‑Federal land needs the owner’s written consent to be nominated. Federal agencies approving projects outside the U.S. that could harm a listed property must consider and try to avoid or reduce the harm.

Title 54, §307101

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(a)Authority of Secretary.—

In carrying out this section, the Secretary of the Interior may act directly or through an appropriate officer in the Department of the Interior.

(b)Participation by United States.—

The Secretary shall direct and coordinate participation by the United States in the World Heritage Convention in cooperation with the Secretary of State, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Council. Whenever possible, expenditures incurred in carrying out activities in cooperation with other nations and international organizations shall be paid for in such excess currency of the country or area where the expense is incurred as may be available to the United States.

(c)Nomination of Property to World Heritage Committee.—

The Secretary shall periodically nominate property that the Secretary determines is of international significance to the World Heritage Committee on behalf of the United States. No property may be nominated unless it has previously been determined to be of national significance. Each nomination shall include evidence of such legal protections as may be necessary to ensure preservation of the property and its environment (including restrictive covenants, easements, or other forms of protection). Before making any nomination, the Secretary shall notify the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate.

(d)Nomination of Non-Federal Property to World Heritage Committee Requires Written Concurrence of Owner.—

No non-Federal property may be nominated by the Secretary to the World Heritage Committee for inclusion on the World Heritage List unless the owner of the property concurs in the nomination in writing.

(e)Consideration of Undertaking on Property.—

Prior to the approval of any undertaking outside the United States that may directly and adversely affect a property that is on the World Heritage List or on the applicable country’s equivalent of the National Register, the head of a Federal agency having direct or indirect jurisdiction over the undertaking shall take into account the effect of the undertaking on the property for purposes of avoiding or mitigating any adverse effect.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 307101(a)no source. 307101(b) through (d)16 U.S.C. 470a–1.Pub. 96–515, title IV, § 401, Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 3000; Pub. L. 103–437, § 6(d)(28), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4584. 307101(e)16 U.S.C. 470a–2.Pub. L. 96–515, title IV, § 402, Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 3000. Subsection (a) is added for clarity because of the definition of “Secretary” in section 300316 of the new title.

§307101 World Heritage Convention

Summary

Title 54, §307101

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Citations & Metadata