Regulations last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

Title 50 - Wildlife and Fisheries last revised: Nov 18, 2024
§ 12.68 - When may the Service loan forfeited or abandoned property?

(a) The Service may loan forfeited or abandoned property, fish, wildlife, or plants, for scientific, educational, or public display purposes, when consistent with applicable law. The loan may be made to any person, government agency (including foreign government agencies) or public organization, as defined in § 10.12 of this subchapter. The recipient must have the demonstrated ability to provide adequate care and security for the fish, wildlife, or plants.

(b) A transfer document between the Service and the person, government agency (foreign or domestic), or public organization receiving the fish, wildlife, or plants must be completed before any loan of fish, wildlife, or plant takes place. Form SF-123, Transfer Order Surplus Personal Property, should be used for transfers with agencies or persons outside of the Department of the Interior, and Form DI-104, Transfer of Property, should be used for transfers with agencies within the Department of the Interior. The loan is subject to the following conditions:

(1) The transfer document must state the purpose for which the fish, wildlife, or plants will be used.

(2) Any attempt by the recipient to use the loan for any purpose other than that specifically stated on the transfer document entitles the Service to immediately repossess the fish, wildlife, or plants or their offspring.

(3) The recipient may be required to pay all of the costs associated with the transfer of the fish, wildlife, or plants, or their offspring, including the costs of care, storage, transportation, and return to the Service, if applicable.

(4) The recipient may not sell the fish, wildlife, or plants, or their offspring.

(5) The recipient may be subject to a periodic accounting of the care and use of the loaned fish, wildlife, or plants, or their offspring.

(6) The recipient is subject to the prohibitions, restrictions, conditions, or requirements that may apply to a particular species of fish, wildlife, or plant imposed by Federal, State, Tribal, or foreign law or regulation.

(7) Any attempt to retransfer a loan without the prior authorization of the Service entitles the Service to immediately repossess the fish, wildlife, or plants, or their offspring.

(8) At all reasonable times, upon prior notice, the recipient must provide authorized Service officers access to the location where the loan is kept for the purposes of inspecting the loan and all associated records pertaining to the loan.

(9) Any loan is subject to the conditions specified in the transfer document, including, without limitation, any time periods, and any violation of these specific conditions entitles the Service to immediately repossess the fish, wildlife, or plants, or their offspring.

(10) Any loan is in effect for an indefinite period of time unless the transfer document specifies a date for returning the loan to the Service.

(11) Any loan remains the property of the United States, and the Service may demand the return of the loan at any time, and the recipient cannot prevent that return.

authority: 16 U.S.C. 470aa
source: 88 FR 47818, July 25, 2023, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 50 CFR 12.68