[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 32, Volume 5]
[Revised as of July 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 32CFR767.3]

[Page 486]
 
                       TITLE 32--NATIONAL DEFENSE
 
                   CHAPTER VI--DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
 
PART 767_APPLICATION GUIDELINES FOR ARCHEOLOGICAL RESEARCH PERMITS ON 
 
                  Subpart A_Regulations and Obligations
 
Sec. 767.3  Policy.

    (a) The Naval Historical Center's policy has been to evaluate each 
DON ship and aircraft wreck on an individual basis. In some cases, the 
removal of DON ship and aircraft wrecks may be necessary or appropriate 
to protect the cultural resource and/or to fulfill other NHC goals, such 
as those encompassing research, education, public access, and 
appreciation. Recovery of DON ship and aircraft wrecks may be justified 
in specific cases where the existence of a cultural resource may be 
threatened. Therefore, recovery of some or all of a cultural resource 
may be permitted for identification and/or investigation to answer 
specific questions; or the recovery presents an opportunity for public 
research or education.
    (b) Generally, DON ship and aircraft wrecks will be left in place 
unless artifact removal or site disturbance is justified and necessary 
to protect DON ship and aircraft wrecks, to conduct research, or provide 
public education and information that is otherwise inaccessible. While 
NHC prefers non-destructive, in situ research on DON ship and aircraft 
wrecks, it recognizes that site disturbance and/or artifact recovery is 
sometimes necessary. At such times, site disturbance and/or 
archeological recovery may be permitted, subject to conditions specified 
by NHC.