Definitions

U.S.C. Title 33 - NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS 33 U.S.C. United States Code, 2023 Edition Title 33 - NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS CHAPTER 47 - OCEAN EXPLORATION SUBCHAPTER I - EXPLORATION Sec. 3407 - Definitions From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov

§3407. Definitions

In this subchapter: (1) Characterization The terms "characterization", "characterize", and "characterizing" mean activities that provide comprehensive data and interpretations for a specific area of interest of the sea floor, sub-bottom, water column, or hydrologic features, such as water masses and currents, in direct support of specific research, environmental protection, resource management, policymaking, or applied mission objectives. (2) Exploration The term 1 "exploration", "explore", and "exploring" means 1 activities that provide— (A) a multidisciplinary view of an unknown or poorly understood area of the sea floor, sub-bottom, or water column; and (B) an initial assessment of the physical, chemical, geological, biological, archaeological, or other characteristics of such an area. (3) Mapping The terms "map" and "mapping" mean activities that provide comprehensive data and information needed to understand sea floor characteristics, including depth, topography, bottom type, sediment composition and distribution, underlying geologic structure, and benthic flora and fauna.

(Pub. L. 111–11, title XII, §12007, as added Pub. L. 117–263, div. J, title CIII, §10305(h), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 3974.)

1 So in original. Probably should be "terms" and "mean".