(a) In General.—The Administrator of General Services, pursuant to sections 521 through 527, 529, and 549 of this title, may dispose of a United States Army Corps of Engineers vessel used for dredging, together with related equipment owned by the Federal Government and under the control of the Chief of Engineers, if the Secretary of the Army declares the vessel to be in excess of federal needs.

Terms Used In 40 USC 556

  • Appropriation: The provision of funds, through an annual appropriations act or a permanent law, for federal agencies to make payments out of the Treasury for specified purposes. The formal federal spending process consists of two sequential steps: authorization
  • Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
  • vessel: includes every description of watercraft or other artificial contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water. See 1 USC 3

(b) Recipients and Purposes.—Disposal under this section is accomplished—

(1) through sale or lease to—

(A) a foreign government as part of a Corps of Engineers technical assistance program;

(B) a federal or state maritime academy for training purposes; or

(C) a non-federal public body for scientific, educational, or cultural purposes; or


(2) through sale solely for scrap to foreign or domestic interests.


(c) No Dredging Activities.—A vessel described in subsection (a) shall not be disposed of under any law for the purpose of engaging in dredging activities within the United States.

(d) Deposit of Amounts Collected.—Amounts collected from the sale or lease of a vessel or equipment under this section shall be deposited into the revolving fund authorized by section 101 (9th par.) of the Civil Functions Appropriation 1 Act, 1954 (33 U.S.C. 576), to be available, as provided in appropriation laws, for the operation and maintenance of vessels under the control of the Corps of Engineers.

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