---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 4304"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "4304"
heading: "Confidentiality of information concerning nature and location of significant caves"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/4304"
units:
  - "Chapter 63 — Federal Cave Resources Protection"
---

# §4304. Confidentiality of information concerning nature and location of significant caves

- (a) **In general—** Information concerning the specific location of any significant [cave](/usc/16/4302.md?p=1) may not be made available to the public under [section 552 of title 5](/usc/5/552.md) unless the [Secretary](/usc/16/4302.md?p=6) determines that disclosure of such information would further the purposes of this chapter and would not create a substantial risk of harm, theft, or destruction of such [cave](/usc/16/4302.md?p=1).
- (b) **Exceptions—** Notwithstanding [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/16/4302.md?p=6) may make available information regarding significant [caves](/usc/16/4302.md?p=1) upon the written request by Federal and [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) governmental agencies or bona fide educational and research institutions. Any such written request shall, at a minimum—
  - (1) describe the specific site or [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A) for which information is sought;
  - (2) explain the purpose for which such information is sought; and
  - (3) include assurances satisfactory to the [Secretary](/usc/16/4302.md?p=6) that adequate measures are being taken to protect the confidentiality of such information and to ensure the protection of the significant [cave](/usc/16/4302.md?p=1) from destruction by vandalism and unauthorized use.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 100–691, § 5, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4548.)