§ 8701 — Authority To Provide For Necessary Salvage Facilities

(a) The Secretary of the Navy may provide, by contract or otherwise, necessary salvage facilities for public and private vessels. (b) The Secretary shall submit to the Secretary of Homeland Security for comment each proposed contract for salvage facilities that affects the interests of the Department of Homeland Security. (c) The Secretary of the Navy may enter into a term contract under subsection (a) only if the Secretary determines that available commercial salvage facilities are inadequate to meet the requirements of national defense. (d) The Secretary may not enter into a contract under subsection (a) until the Secretary has provided public notice of the intent to enter into such a contract. (e) In this section, the term “salvage facilities” includes equipment and gear utilized to prevent, abate, or minimize damage to the environment.