30 USC § 1904 - Marine mineral research centers

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t30/s1904"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_prima_facie"
title: "30 USC § 1904 - Marine mineral research centers"
title_number: 30
title_name: "MINERAL LANDS AND MINING"
section_number: "1904"
section_name: "Marine mineral research centers"
chapter_number: 31
chapter_name: "MARINE MINERAL RESOURCES RESEARCH"
positive_law: false
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-17"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 91–631, title II, § 204, as added Pub. L. 104–325, § 2(3), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3998.)"
---


# § 1904. Marine mineral research centers

**(a)** **In general** October 19, 1996

No later than 90 days after , the Secretary shall designate 3 centers for marine mineral research and related activities.

**(b)** **Concentration** One center shall concentrate primarily on research in the continental shelf regions of the United States, 1 center shall concentrate primarily on research in deep seabed and near-shore environments of islands, and 1 center shall concentrate primarily on research in arctic and cold water regions.

**(c)** **Criteria** In designating a center under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to a university that—

**(1)** administers a federally funded center for marine minerals research;

**(2)** matriculates students for advanced degrees in marine geological sciences, nonenergy natural resources, and related fields of science and engineering;

**(3)** is a United States university with established programs and facilities that primarily focus on marine mineral resources;

**(4)** has engaged in collaboration and cooperation with industry, governmental agencies, and other universities in the field of marine mineral resources;

**1** has demonstrated significant engineering, development, and design experience in two or more of the following areas; [^1]

So in original. The semicolon probably should be a colon.

**(A)** seabed exploration systems;

**(B)** marine mining systems; and

**(C)** marine mineral processing systems; and

**(6)** has been designated by the Secretary as a State Mining and Mineral Resources Research Institute.

**(d)** **Center activities** A center shall—

**(1)** provide technical assistance to the Secretary concerning marine mineral resources;

**(2)** advise the Secretary on pertinent international activities in marine mineral resources development;

**(3)** engage in research, training, and education transfer associated with the characterization and utilization of marine mineral resources; and

**(4)** promote the efficient identification, assessment, exploration, and management of marine mineral resources in an environmentally sound manner.

**(e)** **Allocation of funds** In distributing funds to the centers designated under subsection (a), the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, allocate an equal amount to each center.

**(f)** **Limitations**

**(1)** **Administrative expenses** Not more than 5 percent of the amount made available to carry out this section during a fiscal year may be used by the Secretary for expenses associated with administration of the program authorized by this section.

**(2)** **Construction costs** None of the funds made available under this section may be used for the construction of a new building or the acquisition, expansion, remodeling, or alteration of an existing building (including site grading and improvement and architect fees).

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**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 91–631, title II, § 204, as added Pub. L. 104–325, § 2(3), Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3998.)