2021 US Code
Title 43 - Public Lands
Chapter 39 - Abandoned Shipwrecks
Sec. 2103 - Rights of access

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Citation 43 U.S.C. § 2103 (2021)
Section Name §2103. Rights of access
Section Text (a) Access rights

In order to—

(1) clarify that State waters and shipwrecks offer recreational and educational opportunities to sport divers and other interested groups, as well as irreplaceable State resources for tourism, biological sanctuaries, and historical research; and

(2) provide that reasonable access by the public to such abandoned shipwrecks be permitted by the State holding title to such shipwrecks pursuant to section 2105 of this title,


it is the declared policy of the Congress that States carry out their responsibilities under this chapter to develop appropriate and consistent policies so as to—

(A) protect natural resources and habitat areas;

(B) guarantee recreational exploration of shipwreck sites; and

(C) allow for appropriate public and private sector recovery of shipwrecks consistent with the protection of historical values and environmental integrity of the shipwrecks and the sites.

(b) Parks and protected areas

In managing the resources subject to the provisions of this chapter, States are encouraged to create underwater parks or areas to provide additional protection for such resources. Funds available to States from grants from the Historic Preservation Fund shall be available, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 3029 of title 54, for the study, interpretation, protection, and preservation of historic shipwrecks and properties.

Source Credit

(Pub. L. 100–298, §4, Apr. 28, 1988, 102 Stat. 433.)


Editorial Notes EDITORIAL NOTES CODIFICATION

In subsec. (b), "chapter 3029 of title 54" substituted for "title I of the National Historic Preservation Act" on authority of Pub. L. 113–287, §6(e), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 3272, which Act enacted Title 54, National Park Service and Related Programs.

Publication Title United States Code, 2018 Edition, Supplement 3, Title 43 - PUBLIC LANDS
Category Bills and Statutes
Collection United States Code
SuDoc Class Number Y 1.2/5:
Contained Within Title 43 - PUBLIC LANDS
CHAPTER 39 - ABANDONED SHIPWRECKS
Sec. 2103 - Rights of access
Contains section 2103
Date 2021
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 3, 2022
Positive Law No
Disposition standard
Statutes at Large References 102 Stat. 433
128 Stat. 3272
Public Law References Public Law 100-298, Public Law 113-287
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