The Administrator of General Services (hereinafter referred to as the “Administrator”) is authorized to plan, construct, and maintain a National Fisheries Center and Aquarium in the District of Columbia or its vicinity for research in fisheries and for the display of fresh water and marine fishes and other aquatic resources for educational, recreational, cultural, and scientific purposes.

The Administrator is further authorized to use Federal land and property for purposes of this chapter with the consent of the particular agency having administrative jurisdiction thereover, and, if said property is unavailable for purposes hereof, he may purchase, lease, or otherwise acquire such lands, waters, and interests therein, as he may deem necessary to carry out the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.

(Pub. L. 87–758, § 1, Oct. 9, 1962, 76 Stat. 752.)