Administration

§ 7422. Administration (a) The Secretary of the Navy, directly or by contract, lease, or otherwise, shall explore, prospect, conserve, develop, use, and operate the naval petroleum reserves in his discretion, subject to approval by the President. (b) The naval petroleum reserves and lands outside naval petroleum reserve numbered 1 covered by contracts under section 7426 of this title shall be used and operated for— (1) the protection, conservation, maintenance, and testing of those reserves; or (2) the production of petroleum whenever and to the extent that the Secretary, with the approval of the President, finds that it is needed for national defense and the production is authorized by a joint resolution of Congress.