§1445. U.S.S. Monitor artifacts and materials

(a) Congressional policy

In recognition of the historical significance of the wreck of the United States ship Monitor to coastal North Carolina and to the area off the coast of North Carolina known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic, the Congress directs that a suitable display of artifacts and materials from the United States ship Monitor be maintained permanently at an appropriate site in coastal North Carolina.

(b) Interpretation and display of artifacts

(1) Submission of plan

The Secretary shall, within six months after November 7, 1988, submit to the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries of the House of Representatives a plan for a suitable display in coastal North Carolina of artifacts and materials of the United States ship Monitor.

(2) Contents of plan

The plan submitted under subsection (a) of this section shall, at a minimum, contain-

(A) an identification of appropriate sites in coastal North Carolina, either existing or proposed, for display of artifacts and materials of the United States ship Monitor;

(B) an identification of suitable artifacts and materials, including artifacts recovered or proposed for recovery, for display in coastal North Carolina;

(C) an interpretive plan for the artifacts and materials which focuses on the sinking, discovery, and subsequent management of the wreck of the United States ship Monitor; and

(D) a draft cooperative agreement with the State of North Carolina to implement the plan.

(c) Disclaimer

This section shall not affect the following:

(1) Responsibilities of Secretary

The responsibilities of the Secretary to provide for the protection, conservation, and display of artifacts and materials from the United States ship Monitor.

(2) Authority of Secretary

The authority of the Secretary to designate the Mariner's Museum, located at Newport News, Virginia, as the principal museum for coordination of activities referred to in paragraph (1).

(Pub. L. 92–532, title III, §314, as added Pub. L. 100–627, title II, §208, Nov. 7, 1988, 102 Stat. 3222 .)

Abolition of House Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries

Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries of House of Representatives abolished and its jurisdiction given primarily to Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of House of Representatives, and remainder of jurisdiction given to Committees on National Security and on Resources of House of Representatives, by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Fourth Congress, Jan. 4, 1995.

Graveyard of the Atlantic Artifacts

Pub. L. 102–587, title II, §2201, Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 5047 , provided that:

"(a) Acquisition of Space.-Pursuant to section 314 of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1445) and consistent with the Cooperative Agreement entered into in October, 1989, between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Mariner's Museum of Newport News, Virginia, the Secretary of Commerce shall make a grant for the acquisition of space in Hatteras Village, North Carolina, for-

"(1) the display and interpretation of artifacts recovered from the area of the Atlantic Ocean adjacent to North Carolina generally known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic, including artifacts recovered from the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary; and

"(2) administration and operations of the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary.

"(b) Authorization.-To carry out the responsibilities of the Secretary of Commerce under this section, there are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Commerce a total of $800,000 for fiscal years 1993 and 1994, to remain available until expended.

"(c) Federal Share.-Not more than two-thirds of the cost of space acquired under this section may be paid with amounts provided pursuant to this section."