33 U.S.C. § 3504

Current through P.L. 118-78 (published on www.congress.gov on 07/30/2024)

Section 3504 - NOAA joint ocean and coastal mapping centers

The Administrator may maintain and operate up to three joint ocean and coastal mapping centers, including a joint hydrographic center, which shall each be co-located with an institution of higher education. The centers shall serve as hydrographic centers of excellence and may conduct activities necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter, including-

(1) research and development of innovative ocean and coastal mapping technologies, equipment, and data products;

(2) mapping of the United States Outer Continental Shelf and other regions;

(3) data processing for nontraditional data and uses;

(4) advancing the use of remote sensing and uncrewed technologies, for related issues, including mapping and assessment of essential fish habitat and of coral resources, ocean observations, and ocean exploration; and

(5) providing graduate education and training in ocean and coastal mapping sciences for members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps, personnel of other agencies with ocean and coastal mapping programs, and civilian personnel.

33 U.S.C. § 3504

Pub. L. 111-11, title XII, §122052205,, 123 Stat. 1424; Pub. L. 117-263 title CIII, §10307(d)(1), (2), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3978.

EDITORIAL NOTES

AMENDMENTS2022- Pub. L. 117-263, §10307(d)(2), substituted "NOAA joint ocean and coastal mapping centers" for "Plan" in section catchline, redesignated subsec. (c) as entire section, struck out subsec. (c) heading "NOAA joint ocean and coastal mapping centers" before introductory provisions, and struck out subsecs. (a), (b), and (d) which related to development of a plan for an integrated ocean and coastal mapping initiative, requirements for the plan, and strategy for expanding contracting with non-governmental entities, respectively. Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 117-263, §10307(d)(1), in subsec. (c) prior to its redesignation as entire section, substituted "three" for "3" in introductory provisions and inserted "and uncrewed" after "sensing" in par. (4).

Outer Continental Shelf: The term "Outer Continental Shelf" means all submerged lands lying seaward and outside of lands beneath navigable waters (as that term is defined in section 1301 of title 43), and of which the subsoil and seabed appertain to the United States and are subject to its jurisdiction and control.
ocean and coastal mapping: The term "ocean and coastal mapping" means the acquisition, processing, management, maintenance, interpretation, certification, and dissemination of physical, biological, geological, chemical, and archaeological characteristics and boundaries of ocean and coastal areas, resources, and sea beds through the use of acoustics, satellites, aerial photogrammetry, light and imaging, direct sampling, and other mapping technologies.