Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 102 Part 2.djvu/756

 102 STAT. 1760

PUBLIC LAW 100-441—SEPT. 22, 1988

Public Law 100-441 100th Congress An Act Sept. 22, 1988 [S. 52]

Continental Scientific

Dnlhng and Exploration Act.

To direct the cooperation of certain Federal entities in the implementation of the Continental Scientific Drilling Program.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may bg cited as the "Continental Scientific Drilling and Exploration Ar«f" "-^^ •

SlSsand SEC. 2. PURPOSES. mmmg. The purpose of this Act is to— devlfopme^nt ^^^ implement section 323 of the joint resolution entitled Hazardous "Joint Resolution making continuing appropriations for the materials. fiscal year 1985, and for other purposes", approved October 12, 43 USC 31 note. 1984 (Public Law 98-473; 98 Stat. 1875) which supports and 43 USC 31 note. encourages the development of a national Continental Scientific Drilling Program; (2) enhance fundamental understanding of the composition, structure, dynamics, and evolution of the continental crust, and how such processes affect natural phenomena such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, transfer of geothermal energy, distribution of mineral deposits, the occurrence of fossil fuels, and the nature and extent of aquifers; (3) advance basic earth sciences research and technological development; (4) obtain critical data regarding the earth's crust relating to isolation of hazardous wastes; and (5) develop a long-range plan for implementation of the Continental Scientific Drilling Program. 43 USC 31 note.

SEC. 3. FINDINGS.

Congress finds that— (1) because the earth provides energy, minerals, and water, and is used as a storage medium for municipal, chemical, and nuclear waste, an understanding of the processes and structures in the earth's crust is essential to the well being of the United States; (2) there is a need for developing long-range plans for a United States Continental Scientific Drilling Program; and (3) the Continental Scientific Drilling Program would enhance— (A) understanding of the crustal evolution of the earth and the mountain building processes; (B) understanding of the mechanisms of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and the development of improved techniques for prediction; (C) understanding of the development and utilization of geothermal and other energy sources and the formation of and occurrence of mineral deposits;

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