16 U.S.C. § 1440 — Research, monitoring, and education

(a) The Secretary must conduct, support, or coordinate research, monitoring, evaluation, and education consistent with subsections (b) and (c) and this chapter’s purposes and policies.

(b)(1) The Secretary may support, promote, and coordinate research and long-term monitoring of sanctuary resources and natural processes, including exploration, mapping, and environmental and socioeconomic assessment; develop and test ways to improve degraded habitats or restore damaged, injured, or lost resources; and support, promote, and coordinate research, conservation, care, and public display of sanctuary cultural, archaeological, and historical resources. (2) Results of research and monitoring conducted, supported, or permitted under this subsection must be public.

(c)(1) The Secretary may support, promote, and coordinate efforts to increase public awareness, understanding, and appreciation of national marine sanctuaries and the System. Those efforts must emphasize conservation goals and sustainable public uses. (2) They may educate the public, teachers, students, sanctuary users, and ocean and coastal-resource managers.

(d)(1) The Secretary may develop interpretive facilities near any sanctuary. (2) A facility must emphasize conservation and sustainable uses by giving the public information about the sanctuary’s conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, cultural, archaeological, scientific, educational, or aesthetic qualities.

(e) In these programs and facility development, the Secretary may consult or coordinate with Federal, interstate, or regional agencies and State or local governments.