§ 5401. — Findings.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 16USC5401]
TITLE 16--CONSERVATION
CHAPTER 74--NATIONAL MARITIME HERITAGE
Sec. 5401. Findings
The Congress finds and declares the following:
(1) The United States is a nation with a rich maritime history,
and it is desirable to foster in the American public a greater
awareness and appreciation of the role of maritime endeavors in our
Nation's history and culture.
(2) The maritime historical and cultural foundations of the
Nation should be preserved as a part of our community life and
development.
(3) National, State, and local groups have been working
independently to preserve the maritime heritage of the United
States.
(4) Historic resources significant to the Nation's maritime
heritage are being lost or substantially altered, often
inadvertently, with increasing frequency.
(5) The preservation of this irreplaceable maritime heritage is
in the public interest so that its vital legacy of cultural,
educational, aesthetic, inspirational, and economic benefits will be
maintained and enriched for future generations of Americans.
(6) The current governmental and nongovernmental historic
preservation programs and activities are inadequate to ensure future
generations a genuine opportunity to appreciate and enjoy the rich
maritime heritage of our Nation.
(7) A coordinated national program is needed immediately to
redress the adverse consequences of a period of indifference during
which the maritime heritage of the United States has become
endangered and to ensure the future preservation of the Nation's
maritime heritage.
(8) A national maritime heritage policy would greatly increase
public awareness of, and participation in, the preservation of the
Nation's maritime heritage.
(Pub. L. 103-451, Sec. 2, Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4769.)
Short Title
Section 1 of Pub. L. 103-451 provided that: ``This Act [enacting
this chapter] may be cited as the `National Maritime Heritage Act of
1994'.''
