[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 107 (Friday, June 2, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35326-35331]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-13791]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[Docket No. 000526158-0158-01]
RIN 0648-XA52


Guidelines for Research, Exploration and Salvage of RMS Titanic

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of 
Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed guidelines; notice of hearing; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: These proposed guidelines have been developed for future 
research on, exploration of, and if appropriate, salvage of RMS 
Titanic. As mandated by the RMS Titanic Maritime Memorial Act of 1986 
(Act), the proposed guidelines were developed in consultation with the 
United Kingdom, France, Canada and others. The broad and diverse public 
interest in RMS Titanic was also considered in developing the proposed 
guidelines. While the proposed guidelines set forth a preferred policy 
of in situ preservation of RMS Titanic, they also set forth the 
parameters for the research, recovery and conservation of RMS Titanic 
artifacts for the benefit of the public. Comments are requested on 
these proposed guidelines. NOAA also specifically requests comments 
from interested members of academia and research institutions.

DATES: Comments on this proposal must be received at the appropriate 
address (See ADDRESSES) by 5:00 P.M. on July 3, 2000; public hearing, 
June 15, 2000, 9:30 A.M.; requests to present oral testimony must be 
received on or before June 13, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Comments on these proposed guidelines and requests to 
present oral testimony at the hearing should be sent to NOAA, 1305 
East-West Highway, SSMC IV, Suite 11515, Silver Spring, MD 20910; 
attention Titanic guidelines comments. Comments may also be sent via a 
facsimile (fax) to (301) 713-0404. The hearing will be held in Room 
4830 of the Department of Commerce Hoover Building, 1401 Constitution 
Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C. 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Craig McLean, (301) 713-3125 ext. 151, 
or Ole Varmer, (301) 713-2967 ext 211.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: These proposed guidelines are issued under 
the authority of the RMS Titanic Maritime Memorial Act of 1986 (Act). 
Section 5(a) of the Act directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA) to enter into consultations with the United 
Kingdom, France, Canada and others to develop international guidelines 
for research on, exploration of, and if appropriate, salvage of RMS 
Titanic. The guidelines are to (1) be consistent with the national and 
international scientific, cultural, and historical significance of RMS 
Titanic and the purposes of the Act, and (2) promote the safety of 
individuals involved in such operations.
    The purposes of the Act are to: (1) Encourage international efforts 
to designate RMS Titanic as an international maritime memorial to those 
who lost their lives aboard the ship in 1912; (2) direct the United 
States to enter into negotiations with other

[[Page 35327]]

interested nations to establish an international agreement that 
provides for designation of RMS Titanic as an international maritime 
memorial, and protects the scientific, cultural, and historical 
significance of RMS Titanic; (3) encourage, in those negotiations or in 
other fora, the development and implementation of international 
guidelines for conducting research on, exploration of, and if 
appropriate, salvage of RMS Titanic; and (4) express the sense of the 
United States Congress that, pending such international agreement or 
guidelines, no person should physically alter, disturb, or salvage RMS 
Titanic.
    The Act directs NOAA to consult with the Secretary of State (DOS) 
and promote full participation by other interested Federal agencies, 
academic and research institutions, and members of the public with 
respect to how exploration and research should be conducted, and 
whether and under what conditions salvage of RMS Titanic should occur. 
NOAA and DOS have consulted with representatives of these interested 
groups in the course of developing these proposed guidelines. Public 
comment on the proposed guidelines should prove helpful in developing 
the final guidelines.
    Section 6 of the Act directs DOS to enter into negotiations with 
the United Kingdom, France, Canada and other nations to develop an 
international agreement that provides for: (1) Designation of RMS 
Titanic as an international maritime memorial; and (2) research on, 
exploration of, and if appropriate, salvage of RMS Titanic consistent 
with the international guidelines developed pursuant to the purposes of 
the Act. The proposed guidelines are based primarily on the rules 
annexed to the January 5, 2000 draft international agreement that has 
been negotiated by the U.S., Canada, France and the United Kingdom.

Preparation of the Guidelines

    The primary objective in developing the proposed guidelines has 
been to further the ongoing efforts to protect RMS Titanic as a 
maritime memorial and as an internationally significant resource of 
science, culture, and history. More than 1500 men, women and children 
lost their lives when RMS Titanic sank on April 15, 1912 and many of 
those were trapped in the ship's hull. This tragic loss of life and the 
encasement of the remains of many passengers and crew in RMS Titanic 
have caused many people around the world, including descendants of RMS 
Titanic's passengers and crew to view the shipwreck as a grave site. In 
addition, RMS Titanic is of great interest to scientists, 
archaeologists, historians, naval architects, educators, lawyers, 
salvors, the media, and the public. Accordingly, representatives of 
many diverse groups were consulted and their interests were considered 
in preparing these proposed guidelines.
    The wreckage of RMS Titanic was discovered on September 1, 1985, 
during a joint French/U.S. expedition lead by Jean Luc Michel and Dr. 
Robert Ballard. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Ballard testified before 
Congress to encourage the enactment of legislation to designate RMS 
Titanic as a maritime memorial. On his second expedition in July 1986, 
Dr. Ballard placed a plaque on RMS Titanic providing notice to the 
world that it was discovered by a U.S./French expedition and that it 
should be left undisturbed as a memorial. Meanwhile, the U.S. Congress 
enacted and the President signed into law the RMS Titanic Maritime 
Memorial Act of 1986 to protect this unique shipwreck from potential 
harm caused by misguided salvage. To this end, the Act mandates that 
NOAA develop these guidelines.
    In 1986, DOS contacted the referenced nations regarding the 
development of international guidelines and an international agreement. 
Despite the continued international interest in RMS Titanic, other 
countries exhibited little interest in developing international 
guidelines or an agreement as envisioned by the U.S. Congress. In 1995, 
the United Kingdom, France, Canada and the U.S initiated talks on 
negotiating guidelines and an agreement. The initiation of 
international discussion on the guidelines and agreement, at least in 
part, was based on information about the commercial salvage of RMS 
Titanic and the exhibition of recovered artifacts in the British 
National Maritime Museum.
    In February 1995, the British National Maritime Museum sponsored a 
conference of experts in the fields of law, archaeology, history, 
science, and salvage in Greenwich, England to discuss the protection 
and management of RMS Titanic and other historic shipwrecks. 
Participants presented papers and discussions were held regarding the 
differences in approach between archaeologists and salvors, the Law of 
the Sea, the draft convention on underwater cultural heritage (UCH) 
prepared by the International Law Association, and the practices of 
various nations with respect to the protection and management of UCH.
    In January 1996, the British National Maritime Museum held a second 
conference at the International Maritime Organization in London, 
England. The conference resulted in a statement of principle, called 
the Greenwich Declaration, concerning the management of UCH. The 
significance of UCH to humankind was recognized, as was the threat of 
its irrevocable loss unless its disturbance or removal is conducted in 
accordance with best archaeological practices and under the supervision 
of national authorities having jurisdiction over such activities. While 
Titanic was an impetus for the conferences, the focus was to provide 
protection for all UCH. The preparation of an international instrument 
by UNESCO for the protection of UCH was discussed as was the 
International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) International 
Charter on the Protection and Management of Underwater Cultural 
Heritage. At both conferences there were also informal discussions on 
the international agreement and guidelines for research on, exploration 
of, and if determined appropriate, salvage of RMS Titanic.
    Delegations representing the Governments of Canada, France, the 
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the U.S. 
conducted negotiations between 1997 and 2000 in London and by video-
conference to develop the text of an international agreement to protect 
RMS Titanic. Negotiations were held on September 29 and December 1, 
1997; February 12, 1998; January 12, June 18, and December 2, 1999; and 
January 5, 2000. During the negotiation process, various experts in 
law, science, history, archaeology and salvage, including 
representatives of RMS Titanic Inc., were periodically consulted. While 
the Act directed the U.S. to develop guidelines and an international 
agreement, early in the process, there was a consensus that the 
guidelines should be incorporated into the international agreement. 
NOAA then drafted these proposed guidelines based primarily on the 
January 5 draft of the international agreement, particularly the 
annexed rules for activities aimed at RMS Titanic.
    These proposed guidelines are based primarily on the rules annexed 
to the January 5, 2000 draft agreement resulting from the above-
referenced negotiations. They are also based on widely accepted 
international and domestic professional archaeological standards, 
including the ICOMOS International Charter on the Protection and 
Management of Underwater Cultural Heritage, the UNESCO draft rules 
annexed to the draft Convention on the Protection of the Underwater 
Cultural Heritage, the Secretary of the

[[Page 35328]]

Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Archeology and Historic 
Preservation, the National Park Service's Abandoned Shipwreck Act 
Guidelines, and NOAA's guidelines for archaeological research and 
recovery.

Scope and Definitions

    These proposed guidelines are intended to guide the planning and 
conduct of activities aimed at RMS Titanic, including exploration, 
research, and if appropriate, salvage. As guidelines, they are advisory 
in nature. They are not enforceable by NOAA unless and until there is 
authorizing legislation enacted by Congress. As RMS Titanic is a 
British flagged vessel that lies well outside of the U.S. territorial 
sea and contiguous zone, the U.S. is not asserting jurisdiction over 
RMS Titanic in proposing these guidelines or otherwise. However, 
Congress has the authority to enact legislation regulating activities 
aimed at RMS Titanic. The U.S. enforcement regime in such legislation 
could rely on U.S. jurisdiction over its nationals, U.S. flagged 
vessels, port state jurisdiction, in personam jurisdiction and other 
jurisdiction consistent with international law.
    For the purposes of the proposed guidelines, ``RMS Titanic'' means 
the shipwrecked vessel RMS Titanic; ``Artifacts'' means the cargo of 
RMS Titanic and other contents, including those associated objects that 
are scattered in its vicinity and any portion of the hull; ``Project'' 
means all activities aimed at RMS Titanic and/or its artifacts carried 
out in accordance with these guidelines; ``Collection'' means artifacts 
and records pertaining to a project.

Recent Salvage History of RMS Titanic

    In 1987, Titanic Ventures, Inc. and the Institut Francais de 
Recherche pour l'Exploration de Mers (IFREMER) conducted a salvage 
expedition in which some 1,800 artifacts were recovered from the wreck 
site. In 1992, Titanic Ventures, Inc. filed an in rem action in the 
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. In 1993, RMS 
Titanic Inc. (RMST) acquired all of the assets and liabilities of 
Titanic Ventures, Inc. and conducted a second expedition with IFREMER. 
RMST and IFREMER conducted a third expedition in 1994 and a fourth 
expedition in 1998. Some 5,000 artifacts have been recovered to date.

Sale of Artifacts

    The preferred policy is to preserve the artifacts at the site of 
RMS Titanic. If it is determined to be in the public interest to 
recover artifacts, the proposed guidelines provide that all artifacts 
recovered from RMS Titanic should be kept together and intact as 
project collections. Although not expressly delineated, following these 
guidelines would mean that individual artifacts would not be sold. 
However, this would not necessarily preclude the sale or transfer of an 
entire collection to a museum or other qualified institution, provided 
the collection is kept together and maintained for the benefit of the 
public consistent with these guidelines and the Act.
    There are differences of opinion among professional scientists and 
others on whether the coal that was used to power RMS Titanic is a 
natural resource or a cultural artifact. Even if coal were determined 
not to come within the meaning of an artifact, such coal may still be 
useful for archaeological and scientific research. On the other hand, 
if the coal were determined to come within the meaning of an artifact, 
and, thus, covered by these guidelines, there are differences of 
opinion among professional scientists and others on whether all of the 
coal should be curated in perpetuity, or if it would be appropriate to 
keep only a representative sample following scientific analysis and 
study of all the coal. Current professional curation practices and 
standards provide museums or administrators with sufficient 
discretionary authority to include or exclude objects from the 
collection or to subsequently allow some of the objects to be 
deaccessioned from the collection. Deaccessioned objects can be 
disposed of in accordance with the museum's or administrator's 
deaccessioning policies and may include transfer to another 
institution, deposit as waste, or sale.

In Situ Preservation and Salvage

    The proposed guidelines provide that in situ (or in-place) 
preservation is the preferred policy approach for memorializing RMS 
Titanic. This approach is consistent with widely accepted international 
and domestic professional archaeological standards and embodies the 
broader public interest in conservation of RMS Titanic. Under this 
policy, non-intrusive research and exploration of RMS Titanic is 
encouraged in order to protect the wrecksite for future research and 
access. The public interest in RMS Titanic is diverse. Congress and 
others view the site as a maritime memorial, a grave site and an 
underwater museum and laboratory. The hull and cargo are like a time 
capsule of that tragic event. Because intrusive activities may damage 
or destroy RMS Titanic, these proposed guidelines support the 
presumption that such activities should not be conducted unless 
justified by scientific, cultural or educational interests. This in 
situ preservation policy is compatible with non-destructive uses of the 
site, such as non-intrusive research, education, public viewing and 
even commercial use. This policy is also consistent with the treatment 
of RMS Titanic as the final resting place for many people, and the 
conservation of the surrounding natural environment.
    The public interest in the recovery of shipwrecks and cargo under 
salvage law, in general, should now be reconciled with the public 
interest in the in situ preservation of RMS Titanic. However, in situ 
preservation does not preclude intrusive research, exploration or 
appropriate salvage in certain circumstances. Consistent with a 
precautionary management approach, once there is scientific, cultural 
or educational justification, then research, exploration or appropriate 
salvage activities could be permitted. However, to fulfill the public 
interest in RMS Titanic under salvage law and the Act, such salvage 
should only be conducted in accordance with the scientific and 
conservation standards set forth in the proposed guidelines.

Professional Scientific Approach

    As noted above, these proposed guidelines are based on widely 
accepted international and domestic standards for professional 
scientific research. Most of those standards have already been 
subjected to professional scrutiny and public processes. In this case, 
those standards were revisited and specifically tailored for research, 
exploration and salvage of RMS Titanic and its artifacts. Among other 
interested parties, RMST and IFREMER were consulted in developing these 
proposed guidelines because they have had the most experience working 
at the wreck site.

Miscellaneous Requirements

Executive Order 12866

    In deciding whether and how to regulate, federal agencies assess 
the costs and benefits of proposed regulations upon society, including 
individuals and business. While the proposed guidelines are non-
binding, NOAA has considered the costs and benefits upon society 
arising from compliance with them. For those already applying the 
professional scientific approach to research, recovery and conservation 
of artifacts, NOAA does not expect that there will be any

[[Page 35329]]

additional significant costs from complying with these proposed 
guidelines. However, for those explorers or salvors who do not as a 
matter of practice follow professional scientific standards and 
policies, then compliance with these proposed guidelines may result in 
additional costs. These costs could result in the expenditure of tens 
of thousands of dollars. Since an RMS Titanic salvage expedition can 
costs hundreds of thousands of dollars per day for ships, equipment and 
personnel, the additional costs for following the proposed guidelines 
are not expected to be significant. Although compliance with the 
guidelines may result in additional costs in the careful planning of 
the expedition, the application of the scientific approach generally 
results in a more efficient execution of the project and thus may save 
money in the end. The costs for compliance with the guidelines should 
also be weighed against the potential benefits to the society from 
protecting RMS Titanic and preserving the artifacts and research for 
present and future generations. Adherence to proper scientific 
methodology and approach is in the interest of the public because it 
preserves the integrity of the site, the artifacts recovered and the 
story contained at the wrecksite. Compliance with the proposed 
guidelines may also be viewed as an investment by those that have not 
followed the scientific standards in the past. The proper recording of 
information and conservation of artifacts increases the value of the 
collection to the salvors, researchers, museums and the general public. 
As a result, the additional costs involved in following the scientific 
approach are often offset by increased revenue from documentaries, 
films, and museum receipts. RMST has reported millions of dollars in 
annual revenues from the display of artifacts in museums. Some argue 
that keeping the collection together and intact is not as profitable as 
selling individual artifacts. However, it is difficult, if not 
impossible, to quantify the cost to society if the artifacts are sold 
such that the collection is no longer kept together for public use for 
research, education and viewing by the general public.

Executive Order 12630

    Under this Order, federal agencies assess the takings implications 
of proposed policies and actions on private property protected by the 
Fifth Amendment. The goal is to better inform the agency decision 
makers about the potential agency activities. To the extent permitted 
by law, consistent with their statutory obligations, agencies are then 
better informed on how to minimize the impacts of such activities on 
constitutionally protected property rights. As these guidelines are 
non-binding in nature, they should not raise any regulatory takings 
implications under the Just Compensation Clause of the Fifth Amendment 
to the U.S. Constitution.

Executive Order 12114

    The purpose of this Order is to enable responsible officials to be 
informed of pertinent environmental considerations and to take such 
consideration into account in agency decision making with regard to 
major federal actions significantly affecting the environment outside 
the United States, its territories and possessions. While based on 
independent authority, this Order furthers the National Environmental 
Policy Act (``NEPA'') and other laws consistent with the foreign policy 
and national security policy of the United States. The proposed 
guidelines are not a ``major federal action'' as defined in DOC DAO 
216-12 (Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions). Since 
they are advisory in nature, they are not a ``major federal action''. 
In addition, compliance with the proposed guidelines would not have any 
significant adverse effects on the environment. However, compliance 
with the proposed guidelines would further the purposes of NEPA and 
other laws. Conservation of the environment was carefully considered in 
developing the proposed guidelines. Compliance with the proposed 
guidelines would preserve RMS Titanic and would correspondingly further 
preservation of the surrounding natural environment.
    A primary objective of the proposed guidelines is in situ 
preservation of RMS Titanic and its surrounding natural environment. In 
addition, activities that would harm or destroy RMS Titanic would be 
discouraged by the proposed guidelines. Since intrusive archaeological 
research, recovery or salvage can often harm the natural environment, 
compliance with the in-situ preservation principles would 
correspondingly preserve the surrounding natural environment. The 
proposed guidelines encourage non-destructive and non-intrusive 
research. Since non-intrusive research inherently avoids destruction of 
the surrounding natural environment, this proposed guideline would also 
protect the natural environment. In the event that activities to be 
conducted may harm RMS Titanic and the surrounding natural environment, 
the proposed guidelines provide for an assessment of environmental 
consequences. Thus, the proposed guidelines would further the purposes 
of NEPA, other laws and Executive Order 12114 by conserving RMS Titanic 
and the surrounding natural environment.

National Historic Preservation Act

    Under this law, agencies are to take into account the effect of any 
federal undertaking outside the United States which may directly and 
adversely affect a historic property. Compliance with the proposed 
guidelines will not adversely affect RMS Titanic. To the contrary, 
compliance with the proposed guidelines will fulfill the public's 
interest in conserving the national and international historical 
significance of RMS Titanic. The Advisory Council on Historic 
Preservation was consulted in developing the proposed guidelines. NOAA 
plans to consult further with the Advisory Council prior to issuing any 
final guidelines.

Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA)

    These guidelines contain voluntary collection-of-information 
requirements subject to review and approval by the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) under the PRA. These requirements have been submitted 
to OMB for approval. Public reporting burden for these collections of 
information is estimated to average 12 hours to submit a project design 
and 12 hours to submit a report. These estimates include the time for 
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and 
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the 
collection of information.
    Public comment is sought regarding: whether this proposed 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall 
have practical utility; the accuracy of the burden estimate; ways to 
enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be 
collected; and ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology. Send comments on 
these or any other aspects of the collection of information to NOAA, 
1305 East-West Highway, SSMC IV, Suite 11515, Silver Spring, MD 20910 
(attention Titanic guidelines comments); and to OMB at the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 
Wash., DC 20503 (Attention: NOAA Desk Officer).
    Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply

[[Page 35330]]

with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the 
PRA, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid 
OMB Control Number.

D. James Baker,
Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere and Administrator.

Guidelines for Research, Recovery and Salvage of RMS Titanic

Contents

I. General Principles
II. Project Design
III. Funding
IV. Duration--Timetable
V. Objectives, Methodology and Techniques
VI. Professional Qualifications
VII. Preliminary Work
VIII. Documentation
IX. Artifact Conservation
X. Safety
XI. Reporting
XII. Curation of Project Collection
XIII. Dissemination

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 450rr to 450rr-6.

    Introduction: It is the sense of Congress that research and limited 
exploration activities concerning the RMS Titanic should continue for 
the purpose of enhancing public knowledge of its scientific, cultural, 
and historical significance, Provided, That, pending the adoption of 
the international agreement or implementation of international 
guidelines, no person should conduct any such research or exploration 
activity which would physically alter, disturb, or salvage the RMS 
Titanic.

I. General Principles

    1. The preferred policy for the preservation of RMS Titanic and its 
artifacts is in situ preservation. Recovery or excavation aimed at RMS 
Titanic and/or its artifacts should be granted only when justified by 
educational, scientific, or cultural interests, including the need to 
protect the integrity of RMS Titanic and/or its artifacts from a 
significant threat. All artifacts recovered from RMS Titanic shall be 
conserved and curated consistent with these guidelines and kept 
together and intact as project collections.
    2. Activities shall avoid disturbance of human remains. In 
particular, entry into the hull sections of RMS Titanic shall be 
avoided so that they, other artifacts and any human remains are not 
disturbed.
    3. Activities utilizing non-destructive techniques and non-
intrusive surveys and sampling shall be preferred to those involving 
recovery or excavation aimed at RMS Titanic and/or its artifacts.
    4. Activities shall have the minimum adverse impact on RMS Titanic 
and its artifacts.
    5. Activities shall ensure proper recording and dissemination to 
the public of historical, cultural and archaeological information.

II. Project Design

    6. Activities shall be the object of a project design that shall 
include:
    (a) The objectives of the project;
    (b) A general description of the methodology and techniques to be 
employed;
    (c) A description of the anticipated funding;
    (d) A provisional timetable for completion of the project;
    (e) The composition, qualifications and responsibilities of the 
anticipated team;
    (f) The proposal for or results of all preliminary work;
    (g) If applicable, plans for post-fieldwork;
    (h) If applicable, a conservation and curation plan;
    (i) A documentation program;
    (j) A safety policy;
    (k) If applicable, arrangements for collaboration with museums and 
other institutions;
    (l) Report preparation, contents, and dissemination;
    (m) If applicable, the anticipated disposition of archives, 
including artifacts; and (n) if applicable, a program for publication.
    7. If unexpected discoveries are made or circumstances change, the 
project design shall be reviewed and amended.
    8. Each project shall be carried out in accordance with its project 
design.

III. Funding

    9. Projects shall be designed to ensure adequate funding in advance 
to complete all stages of the project including the curation, 
conservation and documentation of any recovered artifacts, and the 
preparation and dissemination of the report.
    10. The project design shall include contingency plans that will 
ensure conservation of recovered artifacts and supporting documentation 
in the event of any interruption of anticipated funding.
    11. The project design shall demonstrate an ability to fund the 
project through completion.
    12. Project funding shall not require the sale of artifacts or 
other material recovered or the use of any strategy that will cause 
artifacts and supporting documentation to be irretrievably dispersed.

IV. Duration--Timetable

    13. Adequate time shall be assured in advance to complete all 
stages of the project, including the curation, conservation and 
documentation of any recovered artifacts, and the preparation and 
dissemination of the report.
    14. The project design shall include contingency plans that will 
ensure conservation of artifacts and supporting documentation in the 
event of any interruption in the anticipated timetable.

V. Objectives, Methodology and Techniques

    15. The project design shall include the objectives, proposed 
methodology and techniques.
    16. The methodology shall comply with the project objectives and 
with the general principles in section I.

VI. Professional Qualifications

    17. Projects shall only be undertaken under the guidance of and in 
the presence of qualified technical and/or professional experts with 
experience appropriate to the objectives. The project shall not 
commence until the identity, qualifications, experience and 
responsibilities of the team members have been notified to and approved 
by the relevant national authorities.
    18. All persons on the project team shall be:
    (a) qualified and have demonstrated experience appropriate to their 
project roles; and
    (b) fully briefed and understand the work required.

VII. Preliminary Work

    19. The project design shall include:
    (a) An assessment that evaluates the vulnerability of RMS Titanic 
and artifacts to damage by the proposed activities; and
    (b) A determination that the benefits of the project outweigh the 
potential risk of damage.
    20. The assessment shall also include background studies and 
relevant bibliography of available historical and archaeological 
evidence, and environmental consequences of the proposed project for 
the long-term stability of RMS Titanic and artifacts.

VIII. Documentation

    21. Projects shall be thoroughly documented in accordance with 
professional archaeological standards current at the time the project 
is to be undertaken.
    22. Documentation shall include, at a minimum, the systematic and 
complete recording of the provenance of artifacts moved or removed in 
the course of the

[[Page 35331]]

project, field notes, plans, sections, photographs and recording in 
other media.

IX. Artifact Conservation

    23. The project design shall include a conservation plan that 
provides for treatment of the artifacts in transit and in the long 
term.
    24. Conservation shall be carried out in accordance with 
professional standards current at the time the project is to be 
undertaken.

X. Safety

    25. All persons on the team shall work according to a safety policy 
prepared according to professional requirements and set out in the 
project design.

XI. Reporting

    26. Interim reports shall be made available according to a 
timetable set out in the project design, and provided to relevant 
national authorities.
    27. Reports shall include:
    (a) An account of the objectives;
    (b) An account of the methodology and techniques employed;
    (c) An account of the results achieved; and
    (d) Recommendations concerning conservation of any artifacts 
removed during the course of the project.

XII. Curation of Project Collection

    28. The project collection, including any artifacts recovered 
during the course of the project and a copy of all supporting 
documentation, shall be kept together and intact in a manner that 
provides for public access, curation and its availability for 
educational, scientific, cultural and other public purposes.
    29. Arrangements for curation of the project collection shall be 
agreed before any project commences, and shall be set out in the 
project design.
    30. The project collection shall be curated according to 
professional standards current at the time the project is to be 
undertaken.

XIII. Dissemination

    31. Projects shall provide for public education and popular 
presentation of the results.
    32. A final synthesis shall be provided to relevant national 
authorities and made available to the public as soon as possible, 
having regard to the complexity of the project.

[FR Doc. 00-13791 Filed 6-1-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-08-U