---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 1447"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "1447"
heading: "Purposes"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/1447"
units:
  - "Chapter 32A — Regional Marine Research Programs"
---

# §1447. Purposes


The purpose of this chapter is to establish regional research programs, under effective Federal oversight, to—

- (1) set priorities for regional marine and coastal research in support of efforts to safeguard the water quality and ecosystem health of each [region](/usc/16/1447a.md?p=6); and
- (2) carry out such research through grants and improved coordination.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 92–532, title IV, § 401, as added Pub. L. 101–593, title III, § 301, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 2963.)