---
kind: "section"
citation: "43 U.S.C. § 2104"
title: "43"
title_heading: "Public Lands"
number: "2104"
heading: "Preparation of guidelines"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/43/2104"
units:
  - "Chapter 39 — Abandoned Shipwrecks"
---

# §2104. Preparation of guidelines

- (a) **Purposes of guidelines; publication in Federal Register—** In order to encourage the development of underwater parks and the administrative cooperation necessary for the comprehensive management of underwater resources related to historic [shipwrecks](/usc/43/2102.md?p=d), the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) of the Interior, acting through the [Director](/usc/43/31b.md?p=3) of the National Park Service, shall within nine months after April 28, 1988, prepare and publish guidelines in the Federal Register which shall seek to:
  - (1) maximize the enhancement of cultural resources;
  - (2) foster a partnership among sport divers, fishermen, archeologists, salvors, and other interests to manage [shipwreck](/usc/43/2102.md?p=d) resources of the [States](/usc/43/2102.md?p=e) and the United States;
  - (3) facilitate access and utilization by recreational interests;
  - (4) recognize the interests of individuals and groups engaged in [shipwreck](/usc/43/2102.md?p=d) discovery and salvage.
- (b) **Consultation—** Such guidelines shall be developed after consultation with appropriate public and private sector interests (including the [Secretary](/usc/43/31b.md?p=7) of Commerce, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, sport divers, [State](/usc/43/2102.md?p=e) Historic Preservation Officers, professional dive operators, salvors, archeologists, historic preservationists, and fishermen).
- (c) **Use of guidelines in developing legislation and regulations—** Such guidelines shall be available to assist [States](/usc/43/2102.md?p=e) and the appropriate Federal agencies in developing legislation and regulations to carry out their responsibilities under this chapter.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 100–298, § 5, Apr. 28, 1988, 102 Stat. 433.)