35326 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 107 / Friday, June 2, 2000 / Notices

information under the provisions of the

Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.

Chapter 35).

Agency: National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Title: Reporting Requirements for

Commercial Fisheries Authorization

under Section 118 of the Marine

Mammal Protection Act.

Agency Form Number(s): None.

OMB Approval Number: 0648–0292.

Type of Request: Regular submission.

Burden Hours: 1,500.

Number of Respondents: 10,000.

Average Hours Per Response: 9

minutes.

Needs and Uses: Under provisions of

the Marine Mammal Protection Act

(MMPA), owners or operators of

commercial fishing vessels must report

all incidental mortality or serious injury

of marine mammals in the course of

commercial fishing operations.

Affected Public: Business or other forprofit institutions, and individuals.

Frequency: On occasion.

Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory.

OMB Desk Officer: David Rostker,

(202) 395–3897.

Copies of the above information

collection proposal can be obtained by

calling or writing Linda Engelmeier,

DOC Forms Clearance Officer, (202)

482–3272, Department of Commerce,

Room 6066, 14th and Constitution

Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or

via the Internet at lengelme@doc.gov).

Written comments and

recommendations for the proposed

information collection should be sent

within 30 days of publication of this

notice to David Rostker, OMB Desk

Officer, Room 10202, New Executive

Office Building, Washington, DC 20503.

Dated: May 25, 2000.

Madeleine Clayton,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief

Information Officer.

[FR Doc. 00–13852 Filed 6–1–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510–22–F

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric

Administration

[I.D. 053000B]

Submission for OMB Review;

Proposed Information Collection;

Comment Request

The Department of Commerce has

submitted to the Office of Management

and Budget (OMB) for clearance the

following proposal for collection of

information under the provisions of the

Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.

Chapter 35).

Agency: National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Title: Atlantic Highly Migratory

Species Vessel Permits.

Agency Form Number(s): None.

OMB Approval Number: 0648–0327.

Type of Request: Regular submission.

Burden Hours: 4,700.

Number of Respondents: 25,000.

Average Hours Per Response: 30

minutes for initial applications, 6

minutes for renewal applications.

Needs and Uses: Persons wishing to

participate in the Federal Atlantic

Highly Migratory Species Fishery

(Atlantic tunas, sharks, swordfish, and

billfish) must apply for an annual

fishing permit. The information in the

applications is necessary for managing

the fishery and complying with

international obligations.

Affected Public: Business or other forprofit institutions, and, individuals.

Frequency: Annual.

Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory.

OMB Desk Officer: David Rostker,

(202) 395–3897.

Copies of the above information

collection proposal can be obtained by

calling or writing Linda Engelmeier,

DOC Forms Clearance Officer, (202)

482–3272, Department of Commerce,

Room 6066, 14th and Constitution

Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or

via the Internet at lengelme@doc.gov).

Written comments and

recommendations for the proposed

information collection should be sent

within 30 days of publication of this

notice to David Rostker, OMB Desk

Officer, Room 10202, New Executive

Office Building, Washington, DC 20503.

Dated: May 26, 2000.

Madeleine Clayton,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief

Information Officer.

[FR Doc. 00–13853 Filed 6–1–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510–22–F

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.

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 EastWest 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

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 107 / Friday, June 2, 2000 / Notices 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 videoconference 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

35328 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 107 / Friday, June 2, 2000 / Notices

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

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 107 / Friday, June 2, 2000 / Notices 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 nonbinding 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 insitu preservation principles would

correspondingly preserve the

surrounding natural environment. The

proposed guidelines encourage nondestructive 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

35330 Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 107 / Friday, June 2, 2000 / Notices

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 postfieldwork;

(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

Federal Register / Vol. 65, No. 107 / Friday, June 2, 2000 / Notices 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

COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING

COMMISSION

Sunshine Act Meeting

AGENCY HOLDING THE MEETING:

Commodity Futures Trading

Commission.

TIME AND DATE: 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.,

Tuesday, June 27, 2000.

PLACE: 1155 21st St., NW., Washington,

DC, Lobby Level Hearing Room.

STATUS: Open.

MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: Public

Hearing on Regulatory Framework/

Trading Facilities.

CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Jean A. Webb, 202–418–5100.

Jean A. Webb,

Secretary of the Commission.

[FR Doc. 00–14033 Filed 5–31–00; 3:47 pm]

BILLING CODE 6351–01–M

COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING

COMMISSION

Sunshine Act Meeting

AGENCY HOLDING THE MEETING:

Commodity Futures Trading

Commission.

TIME AND DATE: 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.,

Wednesday, June 28, 2000.

PLACE: 1155 21st St., NW., Washington,

DC, Lobby Level Hearing Room.

STATUS: Open.

MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: Public

Hearing on Regulatory Framework/

Intermediaries and Clearing.

CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Jean A. Webb, 202–418–5100.

Jean A. Webb,

Secretary of the Commission.

[FR Doc. 00–14034 Filed 5–31–00; 3:47 pm]

BILLING CODE 6351–01–M

COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING

COMMISSION

Sunshine Act Meeting

AGENCY HOLDING THE MEETING:

Commodity Futures Trading

Commission.

TIME AND DATE: 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.,

Thursday, June 29, 2000.

PLACE: 1155 21st St., NW., Washington,

DC, 9th Floor Conference Room.

STATUS: Closed.

MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: Rule

Enforcement Review.

CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Jean A. Webb, 202–418–5100.

Jean A. Webb,

Secretary of the Commission.

[FR Doc. 00–14035 Filed 5–31–00; 3:47 pm]

BILLING CODE 6351–01–M

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

Defense Intelligence Agency, Science

and Technology Advisory Board

Closed Panel Meeting

AGENCY: Department of Defense, Defense

Intelligence Agency.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the provisions of

Subsection (d) of Section 10 of Public

Law 92–463, as amended by Section 5

of Public Law 94–409, notice is hereby

given that a closed meeting of the DIA

Science and Technology Advisory

Board has been scheduled as follows:

DATES: 10 June 2000 (900 a.m. to 1200

p.m.).

ADDRESSES: Defense Intelligence

Agency, 7400 Defense Pentagon,

Washington, DC 20301.

DATES: 19 June 2000 (1:00 pm to 5:00).

ADDRESSES: Defense Advanced Research

Projects Agency (DARPA), 3701 North

Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maj

Donald R. Culp, Jr., USAF, Executive

Secretary, DIA Science and Technology

Advisory Board, Washington, D.C.

20340–1328 (202) 231–4930.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The entire

meeting is devoted to the discussion of

classified information as defined in

Section 552b(c)(l), Title 5 of the U.S.

Code, and therefore will be closed to the

public. The Board will receive briefings

on and discuss several current critical

intelligence issues and advise the

Director, DIA, on related scientific and

technical matters.

Dated: May 26, 2000.

L.M. Bynum,

Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison

Officer, Department of Defense.

[FR Doc. 00–13762 Filed 6–1–00; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 5001–10–M