§ 553. Duties of Secretary; surveys, research, etc.; proj­ects

The Secretary of the Interior, in order to effectuate the policy declared in section 551 of this title , is hereby authorized—

• (a) to conduct surveys, investigations, and research relating to the causes and extent of outcrop and underground fires in coal formations and the methods for control or extinguishment of such fires; to publish the results of any such surveys, investigations, and researches; and to disseminate information concerning such method; and
• (b) to plan and execute projects for control or extinguishment of fires in coal formations.