§ 18f-2. — Additional functions.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 16USC18f-2]
TITLE 16--CONSERVATION
CHAPTER 1--NATIONAL PARKS, MILITARY PARKS, MONUMENTS, AND SEASHORES
SUBCHAPTER I--NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
Sec. 18f-2. Additional functions
(a) Museum objects and collections
In addition to the functions specified in section 18f of this title,
the Secretary of the Interior may perform the following functions in
such manner as he shall consider to be in the public interest:
(1) Transfer museum objects and museum collections that the
Secretary determines are no longer needed for museum purposes to
qualified Federal agencies, including the Smithsonian Institution,
that have programs to preserve and interpret cultural or natural
heritage, and accept the transfer of museum objects and museum
collections for the purposes of this section and sections 18f and
18f-3 of this title from any other Federal agency, without
reimbursement. The head of any other Federal agency may transfer,
without reimbursement, museum objects and museum collections
directly to the administrative jurisdiction of the Secretary of the
Interior for the purpose of this section and sections 18f and 18f-3
of this title.
(2) Convey museum objects and museum collections that the
Secretary determines are no longer needed for museum purposes,
without monetary consideration but subject to such terms and
conditions as the Secretary deems necessary, to private institutions
exempt from Federal taxation under section 501(c)(3) of title 26 and
to non-Federal governmental entities if the Secretary determines
that the recipient is dedicated to the preservation and
interpretation of natural or cultural heritage and is qualified to
manage the property, prior to any conveyance under this subsection.
(3) Destroy or cause to be destroyed museum objects and museum
collections that the Secretary determines to have no scientific,
cultural, historic, educational, esthetic, or monetary value.
(b) Review and approval
The Secretary shall ensure that museum collections are treated in a
careful and deliberate manner that protects the public interest. Prior
to taking any action under subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary
shall establish a systematic review and approval process, including
consultation with appropriate experts, that meets the highest standards
of the museum profession for all actions taken under this section.
(July 1, 1955, ch. 259, Sec. 2, as added Pub. L. 104-333, div. I, title
VIII, Sec. 804(a)(2), Nov. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 4187.)
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in sections 18f, 18f-3 of this title.
