TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES

(Section 7 of title 18, United States Code)

§7. Special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States defined

The term "special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States", as used in this title, includes:

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(1) ***

(6) Any vehicle used or designed for flight or navigation in space and on the registry of the United States pursuant to the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies and the Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space, while that vehicle is in flight, which is from the moment when all external doors are closed on Earth following embarkation until the moment when one such door is opened on Earth for disembarkation or in the case of a forced landing, until the competent authorities take over the responsibility for the vehicle and for persons and property aboard.

ANTARCTIC CONSERVATION ACT OF 1978

AN ACT To implement the Agreed Measures for the Conservation of Antarctic Fauna and Flora, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That this Act may be cited as the "Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978".

SEC. 2. [16 U.S.C. 2401] FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

(a) FINDINGS.-The Congress finds that

(1) for well over a quarter of a century, scientific investigation has been the principal activity of the Federal Government and United States nationals in Antarctica;

(2) more recently, interest of American tourists in Antarctica has increased;

(3) as the lead civilian agency in Antarctica, the National Science Foundation has long had responsibility for ensuring that United States scientific activities and tourism, and their supporting logistics operations, are conducted with an eye to preserving the unique values of the Antarctic region;

(4) the Antarctic Treaty and the Protocol establish a firm foundation for the conservation of Antarctic resources, for the continuation of international cooperation and the freedom of scientific investigation in Antarctica; and

(5) the Antarctic Treaty and the Protocol establish international mechanisms and create legal obligations necessary for the maintenance of Antarctica as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science.

(b) PURPOSE. The purpose of this Act is to provide for the conservation and protection of the fauna and flora of Antarctica, and of the ecosystem upon which such fauna and flora depend, consistent with the Antarctic Treaty and the Protocol.

SEC. 3. [16 U.S.C. 2402] DEFINITIONS.

For purposes of this Act

(1) the term "Administrator" means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency;

(2) the term "Antarctica" means the area south of 60 degrees south latitude;

(3) the term "Antarctic Specially Protected Area" means an area identified as such pursuant to Annex V to the Protocol; (4) the term "Director" means the Director of the National Science Foundation;

(5) the term "harmful interference" means

(A) flying or landing helicopters or other aircraft in a manner that disturbs concentrations of birds or seals;