Part D - National Center for Preservation Technology and Training

16 USC 470x - Findings

The Congress finds and declares that, given the complexity of technical problems encountered in preserving historic properties and the lack of adequate distribution of technical information to preserve such properties, a national initiative to coordinate and promote research, distribute information, and provide training about preservation skills and technologies would be beneficial.

16 USC 470x1 - Definitions

For the purposes of this part

(1) The term Board means the National Preservation Technology and Training Board established pursuant to section 470x–3 of this title.

(2) The term Center means the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training established pursuant to section 470x–2 of this title.

(3) The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.

16 USC 470x2 - Establishment of National Center

(a) Establishment
There is hereby established within the Department of the Interior a National Center for Preservation Technology and Training. The Center shall be located at Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, Louisiana.

(b) Purposes
The purposes of the Center shall be to

(1) develop and distribute preservation and conservation skills and technologies for the identification, evaluation, conservation, and interpretation of prehistoric and historic resources;

(2) develop and facilitate training for Federal, State and local resource preservation professionals, cultural resource managers, maintenance personnel, and others working in the preservation field;

(3) take steps to apply preservation technology benefits from ongoing research by other agencies and institutions;

(4) facilitate the transfer of preservation technology among Federal agencies, State and local governments, universities, international organizations, and the private sector; and

(5) cooperate with related international organizations including, but not limited to the International Council on Monuments and Sites, the International Center for the Study of Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, and the International Council on Museums.

(c) Programs
Such purposes shall be carried out through research, professional training, technical assistance, and programs for public awareness, and through a program of grants established under section 470x–4 of this title.

(d) Executive Director
The Center shall be headed by an Executive Director with demonstrated expertise in historic preservation appointed by the Secretary with advice of the Board.

(e) Assistance from Secretary
The Secretary shall provide the Center assistance in obtaining such personnel, equipment, and facilities as may be needed by the Center to carry out its activities.

16 USC 470x3 - Preservation Technology and Training Board

(a) Establishment
There is established a Preservation Technology and Training Board.

(b) Duties
The Board shall

(1) provide leadership, policy advice, and professional oversight to the Center;

(2) advise the Secretary on priorities and the allocation of grants among the activities of the Center; and

(3) submit an annual report to the President and the Congress.

(1) the Secretary, or the Secretarys designee;

(2) 6 members appointed by the Secretary who shall represent appropriate Federal, State, and local agencies, State and local historic preservation commissions, and other public and international organizations; and

(3) 6 members appointed by the Secretary on the basis of outstanding professional qualifications who represent major organizations in the fields of archaeology, architecture, conservation, curation, engineering, history, historic preservation, landscape architecture, planning, or preservation education.

16 USC 470x4 - Preservation grants

(a) In general
The Secretary, in consultation with the Board, shall provide preservation technology and training grants to eligible applicants with a demonstrated institutional capability and commitment to the purposes of the Center, in order to ensure an effective and efficient system of research, information distribution and skills training in all the related historic preservation fields.

(b) Grant requirements

(1) Grants provided under this section shall be allocated in such a fashion to reflect the diversity of the historic preservation fields and shall be geographically distributed.

(2) No grant recipient may receive more than 10 percent of the grants allocated under this section within any year.

(3) The total administrative costs, direct and indirect, charged for carrying out grants under this section may not exceed 25 percent of the aggregate costs.

(c) Eligible applicants
Eligible applicants may include Federal and non-Federal laboratories, accredited museums, universities, nonprofit">nonprofit organizations; offices, units, and Cooperative Park Study Units of the National Park System, State Historic Preservation Offices, tribal preservation offices, and Native Hawaiian organizations.

(d) Standards
All such grants shall be awarded in accordance with accepted professional standards and methods, including peer review of projects.

(e) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary.

16 USC 470x5 - General provisions

(a) Acceptance of grants and transfers
The Center may accept

(1) grants and donations from private individuals, groups, organizations, corporations, foundations, and other entities; and

(2) transfers of funds from other Federal agencies.

(b) Contracts and cooperative agreements
Subject to appropriations, the Center may enter into contracts and cooperative agreements with Federal, State, local, and tribal governments, Native Hawaiian organizations, educational institutions, and other public entities to carry out the Centers responsibilities under this part.

(c) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the establishment, operation, and maintenance of the Center. Funds for the Center shall be in addition to existing National Park Service programs, centers, and offices.

16 USC 470x6 - National Park Service preservation

In order to improve the use of existing National Park Service resources, the Secretary shall fully utilize and further develop the National Park Service preservation (including conservation) centers and regional offices. The Secretary shall improve the coordination of such centers and offices within the National Park Service, and shall, where appropriate, coordinate their activities with the Center and with other appropriate parties.