(a) In General.—The Secretary may solicit, receive, and consider requests from Federal or non-Federal public or private agencies, organizations, individuals, or other entities for the use of any System unit for purposes of scientific study.

Terms Used In 54 USC 100705

  • Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts

(b) Criteria.—A request for use of a System unit under subsection (a) may be approved only if the Secretary determines that the proposed study—

(1) is consistent with applicable laws and Service management policies; and

(2) will be conducted in a manner that poses no threat to the System unit resources or public enjoyment derived from System unit resources.


(c) Fee Waiver.—The Secretary may waive any System unit admission or recreational use fee in order to facilitate the conduct of scientific study under this section.

(d) Benefit-Sharing Arrangements.—The Secretary may negotiate for and enter into equitable, efficient benefit-sharing arrangements with the research community and private industry.