§ 2401. — Congressional findings and declaration of purpose.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 16USC2401]
TITLE 16--CONSERVATION
CHAPTER 44--ANTARCTIC CONSERVATION
Sec. 2401. Congressional findings and declaration of purpose
(a) Findings
The Congress finds that--
(1) for well over a quarter of a century, scientific
investigation has been the principal activity of the Federal
Government and United States nationals in Antarctica;
(2) more recently, interest of American tourists in Antarctica
has increased;
(3) as the lead civilian agency in Antarctica, the National
Science Foundation has long had responsibility for ensuring that
United States scientific activities and tourism, and their
supporting logistics operations, are conducted with an eye to
preserving the unique values of the Antarctic region;
(4) the Antarctic Treaty and the Protocol establish a firm
foundation for the conservation of Antarctic resources, for the
continuation of international cooperation and the freedom of
scientific investigation in Antarctica; and
(5) the Antarctic Treaty and the Protocol establish
international mechanisms and create legal obligations necessary for
the maintenance of Antarctica as a natural reserve devoted to peace
and science.
(b) Purpose
The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the conservation and
protection of the fauna and flora of Antarctica, and of the ecosystem
upon which such fauna and flora depend, consistent with the Antarctic
Treaty and the Protocol.
(Pub. L. 95-541, Sec. 2, Oct. 28, 1978, 92 Stat. 2048; Pub. L. 104-227,
title I, Sec. 101, Oct. 2, 1996, 110 Stat. 3034.)
Amendments
1996--Subsec. (a)(1) to (3). Pub. L. 104-227, Sec. 101(a)(1), added
pars. (1) to (3). Former pars. (1) and (2) redesignated (4) and (5),
respectively.
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 104-227, Sec. 101(a)(1), (2), redesignated
par. (1) as (4) and substituted ``the Protocol establish a firm
foundation for the conservation of Antarctic resources,'' for ``the
Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora,
adopted at the Third Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, have
established a firm foundation''.
Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 104-227, Sec. 101(a)(1), (3), redesignated
par. (2) as (5) and substituted ``the Antarctic Treaty and the Protocol
establish international mechanisms and create legal obligations
necessary for the maintenance of Antarctica as a natural reserve devoted
to peace and science.'' for ``the study of Antarctic fauna and flora,
their adaptation to their rigorous environment, and their
interrelationships with that environment has special scientific
importance for all mankind.''
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104-227, Sec. 101(b), substituted ``Treaty and
the Protocol'' for ``Treaty, the Agreed Measures for the Conservation of
Antarctic Fauna and Flora, and Recommendation VII-3 of the Eighth
Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting''.
Short Title of 1996 Amendment
Section 1 of Pub. L. 104-227 provided that: ``This Act [enacting
sections 2403a and 2413 of this title, amending this section, sections
2402 to 2405, and 2463 of this title, and sections 1901 to 1903, 1905,
1907, and 1908 of Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters, and
repealing sections 2464 and 2466 of this title] may be cited as the
`Antarctic Science, Tourism, and Conservation Act of 1996'.''
Short Title
Section 1 of Pub. L. 95-541 provided: ``That this Act [enacting this
chapter, amending section 1971 of Title 22, Foreign Relations and
Intercourse, and enacting a provision set out as a note under section
1971 of Title 22] may be cited as the `Antarctic Conservation Act of
1978'.''
