USC Subchapter II

in effect

33 U.S.C. § 883a Surveys and other activities

To provide charts and related information for the safe navigation of marine and air commerce, and to provide basic data for engineering and scientific purposes and for other commercial and industrial needs, the Secretary of Commerce, is authorized to conduct the following activities: (1) Hydrographic and topographic surveys; (2) Tide and current observations; (3) Geodetic-control surveys; (4) Field surveys for aeronautical charts; (5) Geomagnetic, seismological, gravity, and related geophysical measurements and investigations, and observations for the determination of variation in latitude and longitude.

33 U.S.C. § 883b Dissemination of data; further activities

In order that full public benefit may be derived from the operations of the National Ocean Survey by the dissemination of data resulting from the activities herein authorized and of related data from other sources, the Secretary of Commerce is authorized to conduct the following activities: (1) Analysis and prediction of tide and current data; (2) Processing and publication of data, information, compilations, and reports; (3) Compilation and printing of nautical charts; (4) Distribution of nautical charts and related navigational publications.

33 U.S.C. § 883c Geomagnetic data; collection, correlation, and dissemination

To provide for the orderly collection of geomagnetic data from domestic and foreign sources, and to assure that such data shall be readily available to Government and private agencies and individuals, the National Ocean Survey is designated as the central depository of the United States Government for geomagnetic data, and the Secretary of Commerce is authorized to collect, correlate, and disseminate such data.

33 U.S.C. § 883d Improvement of methods, instruments, and equipments; investigations and research

To improve the efficiency of the National Ocean Survey and to increase engineering and scientific knowledge, the Secretary of Commerce is authorized to conduct developmental work for the improvement of surveying and cartographic methods, instruments, and equipments; and to conduct investigations and research in geophysical sciences (including geodesy, oceanography, seismology, and geomagnetism).

33 U.S.C. § 883e Agreements for surveys and investigations; contribution of costs incurred by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

(1) The Secretary of Commerce is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements, or any other agreements, with, and to receive and expend funds made available by, any State or subdivision thereof, any Federal agency, or any public or private organization, or individual, for surveys or investigations authorized herein, or for performing related surveying and mapping activities, including special-purpose maps, and for the preparation and publication of the results thereof. (2) The Secretary of Commerce is authorized to establish the terms of any agreement entered into under this section, including the amount of funds to be received, and may contribute that portion of the costs incurred by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, including shiptime and personnel expenses, which the Secretary determines represents the amount of benefits derived by the Administration from the agreement.

33 U.S.C. § 883f Contracts with qualified organizations

The Secretary of Commerce is authorized to contract with qualified organizations for the performance of any part of the authorized functions of the National Ocean Survey when he deems such procedure to be in the public interests.

33 U.S.C. § 883h Employment of public vessels

The President is authorized to cause to be employed such of the public vessels as he deems it expedient to employ, and to give such instructions for regulating their conduct as he deems proper in order to carry out the provisions of this subchapter.

33 U.S.C. § 883i Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated such funds as may be necessary to acquire, construct, maintain, and operate ships, stations, equipment, and facilities and for such other expenditures, including personal services at the seat of government and elsewhere and including the erection of temporary observatory buildings and lease of sites therefor, as may be necessary for the conduct of the activities herein authorized.

33 U.S.C. § 883j Ocean satellite data

The Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (hereinafter referred to in this subtitle 11 See References in Text note below. as the “Administration”) shall take such actions, including the sponsorship of applied research, as may be necessary to assure the future availability and usefulness of ocean satellite data to the maritime community.

33 U.S.C. § 883k Acquisition of land for facilities

For fiscal year 1990 and hereafter funds appropriated under this heading shall be available for acquisition of land for facilities.

33 U.S.C. § 883l Contracts for surveying and mapping services

On and after February 20, 2003, the Secretary of Commerce may award contracts for hydrographic, geodetic, and photogrammetric surveying and mapping services in accordance with title IX of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949.11 See References in Text note below.

33 U.S.C. § 884 Power to use books, maps, etc., and to employ persons

The President is authorized, in executing the provisions of title 56 of the Revised Statutes relating to the coast survey, to use all maps, charts, books, instruments, and apparatus belonging to the United States, and to direct where the same shall be deposited, and to employ all persons in the land or naval service of the United States, and such astronomers and other persons as he shall deem proper.