1625-0093 Stat/Authority

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TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

(d) Report by alleged polluter
In connection with any hearing called under
this subsection, the board is authorized to require any person whose alleged activities result
in discharges causing or contributing to pollution
to file with it in such forms as it may prescribe, a
report based on existing data, furnishing such information as may reasonably be required as to
the character, kind, and quantity of such discharges
and the use of facilities or other means to prevent or reduce such discharges by the person filing such a report. Such report shall be made under oath or otherwise, as the board may prescribe,
and shall be filed with the board within such reasonable period as it may prescribe, unless additional time is granted by it. Upon a showing satisfactory to the board by the person filing such
report that such report or portion thereof (other
than effluent data), to which the Administrator
has access under this section, if made public would
divulge trade secrets or secret processes of such
person, the board shall consider such report or
portion thereof confidential for the purposes of
section 1905 of title 18. If any person required to
file any report under this paragraph shall fail to
do so within the time fixed by the board for filing
the same, and such failure shall continue for thirty days after notice of such default, such person
shall forfeit to the United States the sum of $1,000
for each and every day of the continuance of such
failure, which forfeiture shall be payable into the
Treasury of the United States, and shall be recoverable in a civil suit in the name of the United
States in the district court of the United States
where such person has his principal office or in
any district in which he does business. The Administrator may upon application therefor remit
or mitigate any forfeiture provided for under this
subsection.
(e) Compensation of board members
Board members, other than officers or employees of Federal, State, or local governments, shall
be for each day (including travel-time) during which
they are performing board business, entitled to
receive compensation at a rate fixed by the Administrator but not in excess of the maximum
rate of pay for grade GS–18, as provided in the
General Schedule under section 5332 of title 5, and
shall, notwithstanding the limitations of sections
5703 and 5704 of title 5, be fully reimbursed for
travel, subsistence and related expenses.
(f) Enforcement proceedings
When any such recommendation adopted by the
Administrator involves the institution of enforcement proceedings against any person to obtain
the abatement of pollution subject to such recommendation, the Administrator shall institute such
proceedings if he believes that the evidence warrants such proceedings. The district court of the
United States shall consider and determine de novo
all relevant issues, but shall receive in evidence
the record of the proceedings before the conference or hearing board. The court shall have jurisdiction to enter such judgment and orders enforcing such judgment as it deems appropriate or to
remand such proceedings to the Administrator
for such further action as it may direct.
(June 30, 1948, ch. 758, title III, § 310, as added
Pub. L. 92–500, § 2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 860.)

§ 1321

References in Other Laws to GS–16, 17, or 18 Pay
Rates
References in laws to the rates of pay for GS–16, 17, or
18, or to maximum rates of pay under the General Schedule, to be considered references to rates payable under
specified sections of Title 5, Government Organization
and Employees, see section 529 [title I, § 101(c)(1)] of Pub.
L. 101–509, set out in a note under section 5376 of Title 5.

§ 1321. Oil and hazardous substance liability
(a) Definitions
For the purpose of this section, the term—
(1) “oil” means oil of any kind or in any form,
including, but not limited to, petroleum, fuel
oil, sludge, oil refuse, and oil mixed with wastes
other than dredged spoil;
(2) “discharge” includes, but is not limited to,
any spilling, leaking, pumping, pouring, emitting, emptying or dumping, but excludes (A) discharges in compliance with a permit under section 1342 of this title, (B) discharges resulting
from circumstances identified and reviewed and
made a part of the public record with respect
to a permit issued or modified under section
1342 of this title, and subject to a condition in
such permit,,1 (C) continuous or anticipated intermittent discharges from a point source, identified in a permit or permit application under section 1342 of this title, which are caused by events
occurring within the scope of relevant operating or treatment systems, and (D) discharges
incidental to mechanical removal authorized by
the President under subsection (c) of this section;
(3) “vessel” means every description of watercraft or other artificial contrivance used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on water other than a public vessel;
(4) “public vessel” means a vessel owned or
bareboat-chartered and operated by the United
States, or by a State or political subdivision
thereof, or by a foreign nation, except when such
vessel is engaged in commerce;
(5) “United States” means the States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto
Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands;
(6) “owner or operator” means (A) in the case
of a vessel, any person owning, operating, or
chartering by demise, such vessel, and (B) in
the case of an onshore facility, and an offshore
facility, any person owning or operating such
onshore facility or offshore facility, and (C) in
the case of any abandoned offshore facility, the
person who owned or operated such facility immediately prior to such abandonment;
(7) “person” includes an individual, firm, corporation, association, and a partnership;
(8) “remove” or “removal” refers to containment and removal of the oil or hazardous substances from the water and shorelines or the
taking of such other actions as may be necessary to prevent, minimize, or mitigate damage
to the public health or welfare, including, but
not limited to, fish, shellfish, wildlife, and public and private property, shorelines, and beaches;
1

So in original.

§ 1321

TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

(9) “contiguous zone” means the entire zone
established or to be established by the United
States under article 24 of the Convention on the
Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone;
(10) “onshore facility” means any facility (including, but not limited to, motor vehicles and
rolling stock) of any kind located in, on, or under, any land within the United States other
than submerged land;
(11) “offshore facility” means any facility of
any kind located in, on, or under, any of the
navigable waters of the United States, any facility of any kind which is subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and is located in,
on, or under any other waters, other than a vessel or a public vessel, and, for the purposes of
applying subsections (b), (c), (e), and (o), any
foreign offshore unit (as defined in section 1001
of the Oil Pollution Act 2) or any other facility
located seaward of the exclusive economic zone;
(12) “act of God” means an act occasioned by
an unanticipated grave natural disaster;
(13) “barrel” means 42 United States gallons
at 60 degrees Fahrenheit;
(14) “hazardous substance” means any substance designated pursuant to subsection (b)(2)
of this section;
(15) “inland oil barge” means a non-self-propelled vessel carrying oil in bulk as cargo and
certificated to operate only in the inland waters
of the United States, while operating in such
waters;
(16) “inland waters of the United States” means
those waters of the United States lying inside
the baseline from which the territorial sea is
measured and those waters outside such baseline which are a part of the Gulf Intracoastal
Waterway;
(17) “otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of
the United States” means subject to the jurisdiction of the United States by virtue of United
States citizenship, United States vessel documentation or numbering, or as provided for by international agreement to which the United States
is a party;
(18) “Area Committee” means an Area Committee established under subsection (j);
(19) “Area Contingency Plan” means an Area
Contingency Plan prepared under subsection (j);
(20) “Coast Guard District Response Group”
means a Coast Guard District Response Group
established under subsection (j);
(21) “Federal On-Scene Coordinator” means a
Federal On-Scene Coordinator designated in the
National Contingency Plan;
(22) “National Contingency Plan” means the
National Contingency Plan prepared and published under subsection (d);
(23) “National Response Unit” means the National Response Unit established under subsection (j);
(24) “worst case discharge” means—
(A) in the case of a vessel, a discharge in
adverse weather conditions of its entire cargo;
and
(B) in the case of an offshore facility or onshore facility, the largest foreseeable discharge
in adverse weather conditions;

2

See References in Text note below.

Page 32

(25) “removal costs” means—
(A) the costs of removal of oil or a hazardous substance that are incurred after it is
discharged; and
(B) in any case in which there is a substantial threat of a discharge of oil or a hazardous substance, the costs to prevent, minimize,
or mitigate that threat;
(26) “nontank vessel” means a self-propelled
vessel that—
(A) is at least 400 gross tons as measured
under section 14302 of title 46 or, for vessels
not measured under that section, as measured under section 14502 of that title;
(B) is not a tank vessel;
(C) carries oil of any kind as fuel for main
propulsion; and
(D) operates on the navigable waters of the
United States, as defined in section 2101(23) of
that title;
(27) the term “best available science” means
science that—
(A) maximizes the quality, objectivity, and
integrity of information, including statistical
information;
(B) uses peer-reviewed and publicly available data; and
(C) clearly documents and communicates risks
and uncertainties in the scientific basis for
such projects;
(28) the term “Chairperson” means the Chairperson of the Council;
(29) the term “coastal political subdivision”
means any local political jurisdiction that is
immediately below the State level of government, including a county, parish, or borough,
with a coastline that is contiguous with any
portion of the United States Gulf of Mexico;
(30) the term “Comprehensive Plan” means
the comprehensive plan developed by the Council pursuant to subsection (t);
(31) the term “Council” means the Gulf Coast
Ecosystem Restoration Council established pursuant to subsection (t);
(32) the term “Deepwater Horizon oil spill”
means the blowout and explosion of the mobile
offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon that occurred on April 20, 2010, and resulting hydrocarbon releases into the environment;
(33) the term “Gulf Coast region” means—
(A) in the Gulf Coast States, the coastal
zones (as that term is defined in section 1453
of title 16),3 except that, in this section, the
term “coastal zones” includes land within the
coastal zones that is held in trust by, or the
use of which is by law subject solely to the
discretion of, the Federal Government or officers or agents of the Federal Government)) 3
that border the Gulf of Mexico;
(B) any adjacent land, water, and watersheds,
that are within 25 miles of the coastal zones
described in subparagraph (A) of the Gulf Coast
States; and
(C) all Federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico;
3

So in original.

Page 33

TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

(34) the term “Gulf Coast State” means any
of the States of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana,
Mississippi, and Texas; and
(35) the term “Trust Fund” means the Gulf
Coast Restoration Trust Fund established pursuant to section 1602 of the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities,
and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States
Act of 2012.
(b) Congressional declaration of policy against
discharges of oil or hazardous substances;
designation of hazardous substances; study
of higher standard of care incentives and report to Congress; liability; penalties; civil actions: penalty limitations, separate offenses,
jurisdiction, mitigation of damages and costs,
recovery of removal costs, alternative remedies, and withholding clearance of vessels
(1) The Congress hereby declares that it is the
policy of the United States that there should be
no discharges of oil or hazardous substances into
or upon the navigable waters of the United States,
adjoining shorelines, or into or upon the waters of
the contiguous zone, or in connection with activities under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act
[43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.] or the Deepwater Port Act
of 1974 [33 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.], or which may affect
natural resources belonging to, appertaining to,
or under the exclusive management authority of
the United States (including resources under the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act [16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.]).
(2)(A) The Administrator shall develop, promulgate, and revise as may be appropriate, regulations designating as hazardous substances, other
than oil as defined in this section, such elements
and compounds which, when discharged in any
quantity into or upon the navigable waters of the
United States or adjoining shorelines or the waters
of the contiguous zone or in connection with activities under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands
Act [43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.] or the Deepwater Port
Act of 1974 [33 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.], or which may
affect natural resources belonging to, appertaining to, or under the exclusive management authority of the United States (including resources under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation
and Management Act [16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.]), present
an imminent and substantial danger to the public
health or welfare, including, but not limited to,
fish, shellfish, wildlife, shorelines, and beaches.
(B) The Administrator shall within 18 months
after the date of enactment of this paragraph,
conduct a study and report to the Congress on
methods, mechanisms, and procedures to create
incentives to achieve a higher standard of care in
all aspects of the management and movement of
hazardous substances on the part of owners, operators, or persons in charge of onshore facilities,
offshore facilities, or vessels. The Administrator
shall include in such study (1) limits of liability,
(2) liability for third party damages, (3) penalties
and fees, (4) spill prevention plans, (5) current
practices in the insurance and banking industries,
and (6) whether the penalty enacted in subclause
(bb) of clause (iii) of subparagraph (B) of subsection (b)(2) of section 311 of Public Law 92–500 should
be enacted.
(3) The discharge of oil or hazardous substances
(i) into or upon the navigable waters of the United

§ 1321

States, adjoining shorelines, or into or upon the
waters of the contiguous zone, or (ii) in connection with activities under the Outer Continental
Shelf Lands Act [43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.] or the
Deepwater Port Act of 1974 [33 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.],
or which may affect natural resources belonging
to, appertaining to, or under the exclusive management authority of the United States (including
resources under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act [16 U.S.C. 1801 et
seq.]), in such quantities as may be harmful as
determined by the President under paragraph (4)
of this subsection, is prohibited, except (A) in the
case of such discharges into the waters of the
contiguous zone or which may affect natural resources belonging to, appertaining to, or under
the exclusive management authority of the United
States (including resources under the MagnusonStevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Act), where permitted under the Protocol of 1978
Relating to the International Convention for the
Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, and (B)
where permitted in quantities and at times and
locations or under such circumstances or conditions as the President may, by regulation, determine not to be harmful. Any regulations issued
under this subsection shall be consistent with maritime safety and with marine and navigation laws
and regulations and applicable water quality standards.
(4) The President shall by regulation determine
for the purposes of this section those quantities
of oil and any hazardous substances the discharge
of which may be harmful to the public health or
welfare or the environment of the United States,
including but not limited to fish, shellfish, wildlife, and public and private property, shorelines,
and beaches.
(5) Any person in charge of a vessel or of an
onshore facility or an offshore facility shall, as
soon as he has knowledge of any discharge of oil
or a hazardous substance from such vessel or facility in violation of paragraph (3) of this subsection, immediately notify the appropriate agency
of the United States Government of such discharge.
The Federal agency shall immediately notify the
appropriate State agency of any State which is,
or may reasonably be expected to be, affected by
the discharge of oil or a hazardous substance.
Any such person (A) in charge of a vessel from
which oil or a hazardous substance is discharged
in violation of paragraph (3)(i) of this subsection,
or (B) in charge of a vessel from which oil or a
hazardous substance is discharged in violation of
paragraph (3)(ii) of this subsection and who is
otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the United
States at the time of the discharge, or (C) in
charge of an onshore facility or an offshore facility, who fails to notify immediately such agency
of such discharge shall, upon conviction, be fined
in accordance with title 18, or imprisoned for not
more than 5 years, or both. Notification received
pursuant to this paragraph shall not be used against
any such natural person in any criminal case, except a prosecution for perjury or for giving a false
statement.
(6) Administrative penalties.—
(A) Violations.—Any owner, operator, or person in charge of any vessel, onshore facility, or
offshore facility—

§ 1321

TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

(i) from which oil or a hazardous substance
is discharged in violation of paragraph (3), or
(ii) who fails or refuses to comply with any
regulation issued under subsection (j) to which
that owner, operator, or person in charge is
subject,
may be assessed a class I or class II civil penalty by the Secretary of the department in which
the Coast Guard is operating, the Secretary of
Transportation, or the Administrator.
(B) Classes of penalties.—
(i) Class i.—The amount of a class I civil
penalty under subparagraph (A) may not exceed $10,000 per violation, except that the maximum amount of any class I civil penalty under this subparagraph shall not exceed $25,000.
Before assessing a civil penalty under this
clause, the Administrator or Secretary, as the
case may be, shall give to the person to be
assessed such penalty written notice of the
Administrator’s or Secretary’s proposal to assess the penalty and the opportunity to request, within 30 days of the date the notice is
received by such person, a hearing on the proposed penalty. Such hearing shall not be subject to section 554 or 556 of title 5, but shall
provide a reasonable opportunity to be heard
and to present evidence.
(ii) Class ii.—The amount of a class II civil
penalty under subparagraph (A) may not exceed $10,000 per day for each day during which
the violation continues; except that the maximum amount of any class II civil penalty under this subparagraph shall not exceed $125,000.
Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a class II civil penalty shall be assessed
and collected in the same manner, and subject
to the same provisions, as in the case of civil
penalties assessed and collected after notice
and opportunity for a hearing on the record
in accordance with section 554 of title 5. The
Administrator and Secretary may issue rules
for discovery procedures for hearings under
this paragraph.
(C) Rights of interested persons.—
(i) Public notice.—Before issuing an order
assessing a class II civil penalty under this
paragraph the Administrator or Secretary, as
the case may be, shall provide public notice
of and reasonable opportunity to comment on
the proposed issuance of such order.
(ii) Presentation of evidence.—Any person who comments on a proposed assessment
of a class II civil penalty under this paragraph shall be given notice of any hearing
held under this paragraph and of the order assessing such penalty. In any hearing held under this paragraph, such person shall have a
reasonable opportunity to be heard and to
present evidence.
(iii) Rights of interested persons to a
hearing.—If no hearing is held under subparagraph (B) before issuance of an order assessing a class II civil penalty under this paragraph, any person who commented on the proposed assessment may petition, within 30 days
after the issuance of such order, the Administrator or Secretary, as the case may be, to
set aside such order and to provide a hearing
on the penalty. If the evidence presented by

Page 34

the petitioner in support of the petition is
material and was not considered in the issuance of the order, the Administrator or Secretary shall immediately set aside such order
and provide a hearing in accordance with subparagraph (B)(ii). If the Administrator or Secretary denies a hearing under this clause, the
Administrator or Secretary shall provide to
the petitioner, and publish in the Federal Register, notice of and the reasons for such denial.
(D) Finality of order.—An order assessing
a class II civil penalty under this paragraph
shall become final 30 days after its issuance unless a petition for judicial review is filed under
subparagraph (G) or a hearing is requested under subparagraph (C)(iii). If such a hearing is
denied, such order shall become final 30 days
after such denial.
(E) Effect of order.—Action taken by the
Administrator or Secretary, as the case may
be, under this paragraph shall not affect or limit the Administrator’s or Secretary’s authority
to enforce any provision of this chapter; except
that any violation—
(i) with respect to which the Administrator
or Secretary has commenced and is diligently
prosecuting an action to assess a class II civil
penalty under this paragraph, or
(ii) for which the Administrator or Secretary has issued a final order assessing a class
II civil penalty not subject to further judicial
review and the violator has paid a penalty assessed under this paragraph,
shall not be the subject of a civil penalty action
under section 1319(d), 1319(g), or 1365 of this title
or under paragraph (7).
(F) Effect of action on compliance.—No
action by the Administrator or Secretary under
this paragraph shall affect any person’s obligation to comply with any section of this chapter.
(G) Judicial review.—Any person against
whom a civil penalty is assessed under this paragraph or who commented on the proposed assessment of such penalty in accordance with subparagraph (C) may obtain review of such
assessment—
(i) in the case of assessment of a class I civil penalty, in the United States District Court
for the District of Columbia or in the district
in which the violation is alleged to have occurred, or
(ii) in the case of assessment of a class II
civil penalty, in United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit or
for any other circuit in which such person resides or transacts business,
by filing a notice of appeal in such court within
the 30-day period beginning on the date the civil penalty order is issued and by simultaneously
sending a copy of such notice by certified mail
to the Administrator or Secretary, as the case
may be, and the Attorney General. The Administrator or Secretary shall promptly file in such
court a certified copy of the record on which
the order was issued. Such court shall not set
aside or remand such order unless there is not
substantial evidence in the record, taken as a
whole, to support the finding of a violation or

Page 35

TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

unless the Administrator’s or Secretary’s assessment of the penalty constitutes an abuse of discretion and shall not impose additional civil penalties for the same violation unless the Administrator’s or Secretary’s assessment of the penalty constitutes an abuse of discretion.
(H) Collection.—If any person fails to pay
an assessment of a civil penalty—
(i) after the assessment has become final,
or
(ii) after a court in an action brought under
subparagraph (G) has entered a final judgment
in favor of the Administrator or Secretary, as
the case may be,
the Administrator or Secretary shall request
the Attorney General to bring a civil action in
an appropriate district court to recover the
amount assessed (plus interest at currently prevailing rates from the date of the final order or
the date of the final judgment, as the case may
be). In such an action, the validity, amount,
and appropriateness of such penalty shall not
be subject to review. Any person who fails to
pay on a timely basis the amount of an assessment of a civil penalty as described in the first
sentence of this subparagraph shall be required
to pay, in addition to such amount and interest,
attorneys fees and costs for collection proceedings and a quarterly nonpayment penalty for
each quarter during which such failure to pay
persists. Such nonpayment penalty shall be in
an amount equal to 20 percent of the aggregate
amount of such person’s penalties and nonpayment penalties which are unpaid as of the beginning of such quarter.
(I) Subpoenas.—The Administrator or Secretary, as the case may be, may issue subpoenas
for the attendance and testimony of witnesses
and the production of relevant papers, books, or
documents in connection with hearings under
this paragraph. In case of contumacy or refusal
to obey a subpoena issued pursuant to this subparagraph and served upon any person, the district court of the United States for any district
in which such person is found, resides, or transacts business, upon application by the United
States and after notice to such person, shall
have jurisdiction to issue an order requiring such
person to appear and give testimony before the
administrative law judge or to appear and produce
documents before the administrative law judge,
or both, and any failure to obey such order of
the court may be punished by such court as a
contempt thereof.
(7) Civil penalty action.—
(A) Discharge, generally.—Any person who
is the owner, operator, or person in charge of
any vessel, onshore facility, or offshore facility
from which oil or a hazardous substance is discharged in violation of paragraph (3), shall be
subject to a civil penalty in an amount up to
$25,000 per day of violation or an amount up to
$1,000 per barrel of oil or unit of reportable quantity of hazardous substances discharged.
(B) Failure to remove or comply.—Any person described in subparagraph (A) who, without
sufficient cause—
(i) fails to properly carry out removal of
the discharge under an order of the President
pursuant to subsection (c); or

§ 1321

(ii) fails to comply with an order pursuant
to subsection (e)(1)(B);
shall be subject to a civil penalty in an amount
up to $25,000 per day of violation or an amount
up to 3 times the costs incurred by the Oil Spill
Liability Trust Fund as a result of such failure.
(C) Failure to comply with regulation.—
Any person who fails or refuses to comply with
any regulation issued under subsection (j) shall
be subject to a civil penalty in an amount up to
$25,000 per day of violation.
(D) Gross negligence.—In any case in which
a violation of paragraph (3) was the result of
gross negligence or willful misconduct of a person described in subparagraph (A), the person
shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less
than $100,000, and not more than $3,000 per barrel of oil or unit of reportable quantity of hazardous substance discharged.
(E) Jurisdiction.—An action to impose a civil penalty under this paragraph may be brought
in the district court of the United States for
the district in which the defendant is located,
resides, or is doing business, and such court
shall have jurisdiction to assess such penalty.
(F) Limitation.—A person is not liable for a
civil penalty under this paragraph for a discharge if the person has been assessed a civil
penalty under paragraph (6) for the discharge.
(8) Determination of amount.—In determining the amount of a civil penalty under paragraphs (6) and (7), the Administrator, Secretary,
or the court, as the case may be, shall consider
the seriousness of the violation or violations, the
economic benefit to the violator, if any, resulting
from the violation, the degree of culpability involved, any other penalty for the same incident,
any history of prior violations, the nature, extent, and degree of success of any efforts of the
violator to minimize or mitigate the effects of
the discharge, the economic impact of the penalty on the violator, and any other matters as justice may require.
(9) Mitigation of damage.—In addition to establishing a penalty for the discharge of oil or a
hazardous substance, the Administrator or the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard
is operating may act to mitigate the damage to
the public health or welfare caused by such discharge. The cost of such mitigation shall be deemed
a cost incurred under subsection (c) of this section for the removal of such substance by the
United States Government.
(10) Recovery of removal costs.—Any costs
of removal incurred in connection with a discharge
excluded by subsection (a)(2)(C) of this section
shall be recoverable from the owner or operator of
the source of the discharge in an action brought
under section 1319(b) of this title.
(11) Limitation.—Civil penalties shall not be
assessed under both this section and section 1319
of this title for the same discharge.
(12) Withholding clearance.—If any owner, operator, or person in charge of a vessel is liable for
a civil penalty under this subsection, or if reasonable cause exists to believe that the owner, operator, or person in charge may be subject to a
civil penalty under this subsection, the Secretary
of the Treasury, upon the request of the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard

§ 1321

TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

is operating or the Administrator, shall with respect to such vessel refuse or revoke—
(A) the clearance required by section 60105 of
title 46;
(B) a permit to proceed under section 4367 of
the Revised Statutes of the United States (46
U.S.C. App. 313); 4 and
(C) a permit to depart required under section
1443 4 of title 19;
as applicable. Clearance or a permit refused or revoked under this paragraph may be granted upon
the filing of a bond or other surety satisfactory
to the Secretary of the department in which the
Coast Guard is operating or the Administrator.
(c) Federal removal authority
(1) General removal requirement
(A) The President shall, in accordance with
the National Contingency Plan and any appropriate Area Contingency Plan, ensure effective
and immediate removal of a discharge, and mitigation or prevention of a substantial threat of
a discharge, of oil or a hazardous substance—
(i) into or on the navigable waters;
(ii) on the adjoining shorelines to the navigable waters;
(iii) into or on the waters of the exclusive
economic zone; or
(iv) that may affect natural resources belonging to, appertaining to, or under the exclusive management authority of the United
States.
(B) In carrying out this paragraph, the President may—
(i) remove or arrange for the removal of a
discharge, and mitigate or prevent a substantial threat of a discharge, at any time;
(ii) direct or monitor all Federal, State, and
private actions to remove a discharge; and
(iii) remove and, if necessary, destroy a vessel discharging, or threatening to discharge,
by whatever means are available.
(2) Discharge posing substantial threat to public health or welfare
(A) If a discharge, or a substantial threat of a
discharge, of oil or a hazardous substance from
a vessel, offshore facility, or onshore facility is
of such a size or character as to be a substantial threat to the public health or welfare of
the United States (including but not limited to
fish, shellfish, wildlife, other natural resources,
and the public and private beaches and shorelines of the United States), the President shall
direct all Federal, State, and private actions to
remove the discharge or to mitigate or prevent
the threat of the discharge.
(B) In carrying out this paragraph, the President may, without regard to any other provision of law governing contracting procedures or
employment of personnel by the Federal
Government—
(i) remove or arrange for the removal of the
discharge, or mitigate or prevent the substantial threat of the discharge; and
(ii) remove and, if necessary, destroy a vessel discharging, or threatening to discharge,
by whatever means are available.
4

See References in Text note below.

Page 36

(3) Actions in accordance with National Contingency Plan
(A) Each Federal agency, State, owner or operator, or other person participating in efforts
under this subsection shall act in accordance
with the National Contingency Plan or as directed by the President.
(B) An owner or operator participating in efforts under this subsection shall act in accordance with the National Contingency Plan and
the applicable response plan required under subsection (j), or as directed by the President, except that the owner or operator may deviate
from the applicable response plan if the President or the Federal On-Scene Coordinator determines that deviation from the response plan
would provide for a more expeditious or effective response to the spill or mitigation of its
environmental effects.
(4) Exemption from liability
(A) A person is not liable for removal costs or
damages which result from actions taken or omitted to be taken in the course of rendering care,
assistance, or advice consistent with the National Contingency Plan or as otherwise directed by
the President relating to a discharge or a substantial threat of a discharge of oil or a hazardous substance.
(B) Subparagraph (A) does not apply—
(i) to a responsible party;
(ii) to a response under the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and
Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.);
(iii) with respect to personal injury or wrongful death; or
(iv) if the person is grossly negligent or engages in willful misconduct.
(C) A responsible party is liable for any removal costs and damages that another person
is relieved of under subparagraph (A).
(5) Obligation and liability of owner or operator not affected
Nothing in this subsection affects—
(A) the obligation of an owner or operator
to respond immediately to a discharge, or the
threat of a discharge, of oil; or
(B) the liability of a responsible party under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 [33 U.S.C. 2701
et seq.].
(6) “Responsible party” defined
For purposes of this subsection, the term “responsible party” has the meaning given that
term under section 1001 of the Oil Pollution Act
of 1990 [33 U.S.C. 2701].
(d) National Contingency Plan
(1) Preparation by President
The President shall prepare and publish a National Contingency Plan for removal of oil and
hazardous substances pursuant to this section.
(2) Contents
The National Contingency Plan shall provide
for efficient, coordinated, and effective action
to minimize damage from oil and hazardous
substance discharges, including containment, dispersal, and removal of oil and hazardous sub-

Page 37

TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

stances, and shall include, but not be limited
to, the following:
(A) Assignment of duties and responsibilities among Federal departments and agencies in coordination with State and local agencies and port authorities including, but not
limited to, water pollution control and conservation and trusteeship of natural resources
(including conservation of fish and wildlife).
(B) Identification, procurement, maintenance,
and storage of equipment and supplies.
(C) Establishment or designation of Coast
Guard strike teams, consisting of—
(i) personnel who shall be trained, prepared, and available to provide necessary
services to carry out the National Contingency Plan;
(ii) adequate oil and hazardous substance
pollution control equipment and material;
and
(iii) a detailed oil and hazardous substance
pollution and prevention plan, including measures to protect fisheries and wildlife.

§ 1321

tification of, and response to, a discharge, or
the threat of a discharge, that results in a
substantial threat to the public health or welfare of the United States, as required under
subsection (c)(2).
(J) Establishment of procedures and standards for removing a worst case discharge of
oil, and for mitigating or preventing a substantial threat of such a discharge.
(K) Designation of the Federal official who
shall be the Federal On-Scene Coordinator for
each area for which an Area Contingency Plan
is required to be prepared under subsection
(j).
(L) Establishment of procedures for the coordination of activities of—
(i) Coast Guard strike teams established
under subparagraph (C);
(ii) Federal On-Scene Coordinators designated under subparagraph (K);
(iii) District Response Groups established
under subsection (j); and
(iv) Area Committees established under subsection (j).

(D) A system of surveillance and notice designed to safeguard against as well as ensure
earliest possible notice of discharges of oil
and hazardous substances and imminent threats
of such discharges to the appropriate State
and Federal agencies.
(E) Establishment of a national center to
provide coordination and direction for operations in carrying out the Plan.
(F) Procedures and techniques to be employed in identifying, containing, dispersing,
and removing oil and hazardous substances.
(G) A schedule, prepared in cooperation with
the States, identifying—
(i) dispersants, other chemicals, and other
spill mitigating devices and substances, if
any, that may be used in carrying out the
Plan,
(ii) the waters in which such dispersants,
other chemicals, and other spill mitigating
devices and substances may be used, and
(iii) the quantities of such dispersant, other
chemicals, or other spill mitigating device
or substance which can be used safely in
such waters,

(4) Actions in accordance with National Contingency Plan
After publication of the National Contingency
Plan, the removal of oil and hazardous substances
and actions to minimize damage from oil and
hazardous substance discharges shall, to the greatest extent possible, be in accordance with the
National Contingency Plan.

which schedule shall provide in the case of
any dispersant, chemical, spill mitigating device or substance, or waters not specifically
identified in such schedule that the President,
or his delegate, may, on a case-by-case basis,
identify the dispersants, other chemicals, and
other spill mitigating devices and substances
which may be used, the waters in which they
may be used, and the quantities which can be
used safely in such waters.
(H) A system whereby the State or States
affected by a discharge of oil or hazardous
substance may act where necessary to remove
such discharge and such State or States may
be reimbursed in accordance with the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 [33 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.], in
the case of any discharge of oil from a vessel
or facility, for the reasonable costs incurred
for that removal, from the Oil Spill Liability
Trust Fund.
(I) Establishment of criteria and procedures
to ensure immediate and effective Federal iden-

(e) Civil enforcement
(1) Orders protecting public health
In addition to any action taken by a State or
local government, when the President determines
that there may be an imminent and substantial
threat to the public health or welfare of the
United States, including fish, shellfish, and wildlife, public and private property, shorelines, beaches, habitat, and other living and nonliving natural resources under the jurisdiction or control
of the United States, because of an actual or
threatened discharge of oil or a hazardous substance from a vessel or facility in violation of
subsection (b), the President may—
(A) require the Attorney General to secure
any relief from any person, including the owner
or operator of the vessel or facility, as may be
necessary to abate such endangerment; or
(B) after notice to the affected State, take
any other action under this section, including
issuing administrative orders, that may be nec-

(M) A fish and wildlife response plan, developed in consultation with the United States
Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and other
interested parties (including State fish and
wildlife conservation officials), for the immediate and effective protection, rescue, and rehabilitation of, and the minimization of risk
of damage to, fish and wildlife resources and
their habitat that are harmed or that may be
jeopardized by a discharge.
(3) Revisions and amendments
The President may, from time to time, as the
President deems advisable, revise or otherwise
amend the National Contingency Plan.

§ 1321

TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

essary to protect the public health and welfare.
(2) Jurisdiction of district courts
The district courts of the United States shall
have jurisdiction to grant any relief under this
subsection that the public interest and the equities of the case may require.
(f) Liability for actual costs of removal
(1) Except where an owner or operator can prove
that a discharge was caused solely by (A) an act
of God, (B) an act of war, (C) negligence on the
part of the United States Government, or (D) an
act or omission of a third party without regard
to whether any such act or omission was or was
not negligent, or any combination of the foregoing clauses, such owner or operator of any vessel
from which oil or a hazardous substance is discharged in violation of subsection (b)(3) of this
section shall, notwithstanding any other provision of law, be liable to the United States Government for the actual costs incurred under subsection (c) for the removal of such oil or substance
by the United States Government in an amount
not to exceed, in the case of an inland oil barge
$125 per gross ton of such barge, or $125,000, whichever is greater, and in the case of any other vessel, $150 per gross ton of such vessel (or, for a vessel carrying oil or hazardous substances as cargo,
$250,000), whichever is greater, except that where
the United States can show that such discharge
was the result of willful negligence or willful misconduct within the privity and knowledge of the
owner, such owner or operator shall be liable to
the United States Government for the full amount
of such costs. Such costs shall constitute a maritime lien on such vessel which may be recovered
in an action in rem in the district court of the
United States for any district within which any
vessel may be found. The United States may also
bring an action against the owner or operator of
such vessel in any court of competent jurisdiction to recover such costs.
(2) Except where an owner or operator of an onshore facility can prove that a discharge was caused
solely by (A) an act of God, (B) an act of war, (C)
negligence on the part of the United States Government, or (D) an act or omission of a third party without regard to whether any such act or
omission was or was not negligent, or any combination of the foregoing clauses, such owner or
operator of any such facility from which oil or a
hazardous substance is discharged in violation of
subsection (b)(3) of this section shall be liable to
the United States Government for the actual costs
incurred under subsection (c) for the removal of
such oil or substance by the United States Government in an amount not to exceed $50,000,000,
except that where the United States can show that
such discharge was the result of willful negligence or willful misconduct within the privity and
knowledge of the owner, such owner or operator
shall be liable to the United States Government
for the full amount of such costs. The United States
may bring an action against the owner or operator of such facility in any court of competent
jurisdiction to recover such costs. The Administrator is authorized, by regulation, after consultation with the Secretary of Commerce and the
Small Business Administration, to establish rea-

Page 38

sonable and equitable classifications of those onshore facilities having a total fixed storage capacity of 1,000 barrels or less which he determines
because of size, type, and location do not present
a substantial risk of the discharge of oil or a
hazardous substance in violation of subsection (b)(3)
of this section, and apply with respect to such
classifications differing limits of liability which
may be less than the amount contained in this
paragraph.
(3) Except where an owner or operator of an offshore facility can prove that a discharge was caused
solely by (A) an act of God, (B) an act of war, (C)
negligence on the part of the United States Government, or (D) an act or omission of a third party without regard to whether any such act or
omission was or was not negligent, or any combination of the foregoing clauses, such owner or
operator of any such facility from which oil or a
hazardous substance is discharged in violation of
subsection (b)(3) of this section shall, notwithstanding any other provision of law, be liable to
the United States Government for the actual costs
incurred under subsection (c) for the removal of
such oil or substance by the United States Government in an amount not to exceed $50,000,000,
except that where the United States can show that
such discharge was the result of willful negligence or willful misconduct within the privity and
knowledge of the owner, such owner or operator
shall be liable to the United States Government
for the full amount of such costs. The United States
may bring an action against the owner or operator of such a facility in any court of competent
jurisdiction to recover such costs.
(4) The costs of removal of oil or a hazardous
substance for which the owner or operator of a
vessel or onshore or offshore facility is liable under subsection (f) of this section shall include any
costs or expenses incurred by the Federal Government or any State government in the restoration
or replacement of natural resources damaged or
destroyed as a result of a discharge of oil or a
hazardous substance in violation of subsection (b)
of this section.
(5) The President, or the authorized representative of any State, shall act on behalf of the public as trustee of the natural resources to recover
for the costs of replacing or restoring such resources. Sums recovered shall be used to restore,
rehabilitate, or acquire the equivalent of such natural resources by the appropriate agencies of the
Federal Government, or the State government.
(g) Third party liability
Where the owner or operator of a vessel (other
than an inland oil barge) carrying oil or hazardous substances as cargo or an onshore or offshore
facility which handles or stores oil or hazardous
substances in bulk, from which oil or a hazardous
substance is discharged in violation of subsection
(b) of this section, alleges that such discharge
was caused solely by an act or omission of a third
party, such owner or operator shall pay to the
United States Government the actual costs incurred under subsection (c) for removal of such
oil or substance and shall be entitled by subrogation to all rights of the United States Government to recover such costs from such third party
under this subsection. In any case where an owner
or operator of a vessel, of an onshore facility, or

Page 39

TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

of an offshore facility, from which oil or a hazardous substance is discharged in violation of subsection (b)(3) of this section, proves that such
discharge of oil or hazardous substance was caused
solely by an act or omission of a third party, or
was caused solely by such an act or omission in
combination with an act of God, an act of war, or
negligence on the part of the United States Government, such third party shall, notwithstanding
any other provision of law, be liable to the United
States Government for the actual costs incurred
under subsection (c) for removal of such oil or
substance by the United States Government, except where such third party can prove that such
discharge was caused solely by (A) an act of God,
(B) an act of war, (C) negligence on the part of
the United States Government, or (D) an act or
omission of another party without regard to whether such act or omission was or was not negligent,
or any combination of the foregoing clauses. If
such third party was the owner or operator of a
vessel which caused the discharge of oil or a hazardous substance in violation of subsection (b)(3)
of this section, the liability of such third party
under this subsection shall not exceed, in the case
of an inland oil barge $125 per gross ton of such
barge, or $125,000, whichever is greater, and in the
case of any other vessel, $150 per gross ton of
such vessel (or, for a vessel carrying oil or hazardous substances as cargo, $250,000), whichever
is greater. In any other case the liability of such
third party shall not exceed the limitation which
would have been applicable to the owner or operator of the vessel or the onshore or offshore facility from which the discharge actually occurred
if such owner or operator were liable. If the United
States can show that the discharge of oil or a
hazardous substance in violation of subsection (b)(3)
of this section was the result of willful negligence or willful misconduct within the privity and
knowledge of such third party, such third party
shall be liable to the United States Government
for the full amount of such removal costs. The
United States may bring an action against the
third party in any court of competent jurisdiction to recover such removal costs.
(h) Rights against third parties who caused or
contributed to discharge
The liabilities established by this section shall
in no way affect any rights which (1) the owner or
operator of a vessel or of an onshore facility or an
offshore facility may have against any third party whose acts may in any way have caused or
contributed to such discharge, or (2) The 5 United
States Government may have against any third
party whose actions may in any way have caused
or contributed to the discharge of oil or hazardous substance.
(i) Recovery of removal costs
In any case where an owner or operator of a
vessel or an onshore facility or an offshore facility from which oil or a hazardous substance is
discharged in violation of subsection (b)(3) of this
section acts to remove such oil or substance in
accordance with regulations promulgated pursuant to this section, such owner or operator shall
be entitled to recover the reasonable costs incurred
5

So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.

§ 1321

in such removal upon establishing, in a suit which
may be brought against the United States Government in the United States Court of Federal
Claims, that such discharge was caused solely by
(A) an act of God, (B) an act of war, (C) negligence on the part of the United States Government, or (D) an act or omission of a third party
without regard to whether such act or omission
was or was not negligent, or of any combination
of the foregoing causes.
(j) National Response System
(1) In general
Consistent with the National Contingency Plan
required by subsection (c)(2) 6 of this section, as
soon as practicable after October 18, 1972, and
from time to time thereafter, the President shall
issue regulations consistent with maritime safety and with marine and navigation laws (A) establishing methods and procedures for removal
of discharged oil and hazardous substances, (B)
establishing criteria for the development and implementation of local and regional oil and hazardous substance removal contingency plans, (C)
establishing procedures, methods, and equipment
and other requirements for equipment to prevent discharges of oil and hazardous substances
from vessels and from onshore facilities and offshore facilities, and to contain such discharges,
and (D) governing the inspection of vessels carrying cargoes of oil and hazardous substances
and the inspection of such cargoes in order to
reduce the likelihood of discharges of oil from
vessels in violation of this section.
(2) National Response Unit
The Secretary of the department in which the
Coast Guard is operating shall establish a National Response Unit at Elizabeth City, North
Carolina. The Secretary, acting through the National Response Unit—
(A) shall compile and maintain a comprehensive computer list of spill removal resources,
personnel, and equipment that is available worldwide and within the areas designated by the
President pursuant to paragraph (4), and of
information regarding previous spills, including data from universities, research institutions, State governments, and other nations,
as appropriate, which shall be disseminated
as appropriate to response groups and area
committees, and which shall be available to
Federal and State agencies and the public;
(B) shall provide technical assistance, equipment, and other resources requested by a Federal On-Scene Coordinator;
(C) shall coordinate use of private and public personnel and equipment to remove a worst
case discharge, and to mitigate or prevent a
substantial threat of such a discharge, from a
vessel, offshore facility, or onshore facility operating in or near an area designated by the
President pursuant to paragraph (4);
(D) may provide technical assistance in the
preparation of Area Contingency Plans required
under paragraph (4);
(E) shall administer Coast Guard strike teams
established under the National Contingency
Plan;
6

See References in Text note below.

§ 1321

TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

(F) shall maintain on file all Area Contingency Plans approved by the President under
this subsection; and
(G) shall review each of those plans that affects its responsibilities under this subsection.
(3) Coast Guard District Response Groups
(A) The Secretary of the department in which
the Coast Guard is operating shall establish in
each Coast Guard district a Coast Guard District Response Group.
(B) Each Coast Guard District Response Group
shall consist of—
(i) the Coast Guard personnel and equipment,
including firefighting equipment, of each port
within the district;
(ii) additional prepositioned equipment; and
(iii) a district response advisory staff.
(C) Coast Guard district response groups—
(i) shall provide technical assistance, equipment, and other resources when required by a
Federal On-Scene Coordinator;
(ii) shall maintain all Coast Guard response
equipment within its district;
(iii) may provide technical assistance in the
preparation of Area Contingency Plans required
under paragraph (4); and
(iv) shall review each of those plans that affect its area of geographic responsibility.
(4) Area Committees and Area Contingency Plans
(A) There is established for each area designated by the President an Area Committee comprised of members appointed by the President
from qualified—
(i) personnel of Federal, State, and local agencies; and
(ii) members of federally recognized Indian
tribes, where applicable.
(B) Each Area Committee, under the direction of the Federal On-Scene Coordinator for its
area, shall—
(i) prepare for its area the Area Contingency Plan required under subparagraph (C);
(ii) work with State, local, and tribal officials to enhance the contingency planning of
those officials and to assure preplanning of
joint response efforts, including appropriate
procedures for mechanical recovery, dispersal,
shoreline cleanup, protection of sensitive environmental areas, and protection, rescue, and
rehabilitation of fisheries and wildlife, including advance planning with respect to the closing and reopening of fishing areas following a
discharge; and
(iii) work with State, local, and tribal officials to expedite decisions for the use of dispersants and other mitigating substances and
devices.
(C) Each Area Committee shall prepare and
submit to the President for approval an Area
Contingency Plan for its area. The Area Contingency Plan shall—
(i) when implemented in conjunction with
the National Contingency Plan, be adequate
to remove a worst case discharge, and to mitigate or prevent a substantial threat of such a
discharge, from a vessel, offshore facility, or
onshore facility operating in or near the area;

Page 40

(ii) describe the area covered by the plan,
including the areas of special economic or environmental importance that might be damaged by a discharge;
(iii) describe in detail the responsibilities of
an owner or operator and of Federal, State,
and local agencies in removing a discharge,
and in mitigating or preventing a substantial
threat of a discharge;
(iv) list the equipment (including firefighting equipment), dispersants or other mitigating substances and devices, and personnel available to an owner or operator, Federal, State,
and local agencies, and tribal governments, to
ensure an effective and immediate removal of
a discharge, and to ensure mitigation or prevention of a substantial threat of a discharge;
(v) compile a list of local scientists, both
inside and outside Federal Government service, with expertise in the environmental effects of spills of the types of oil typically
transported in the area, who may be contacted to provide information or, where appropriate, participate in meetings of the scientific
support team convened in response to a spill,
and describe the procedures to be followed for
obtaining an expedited decision regarding the
use of dispersants;
(vi) describe in detail how the plan is integrated into other Area Contingency Plans and
vessel, offshore facility, and onshore facility
response plans approved under this subsection,
and into operating procedures of the National
Response Unit;
(vii) include a framework for advance planning and decisionmaking with respect to the
closing and reopening of fishing areas following a discharge, including protocols and standards for the closing and reopening of fishing
areas;
(viii) include any other information the President requires; and
(ix) be updated periodically by the Area Committee.
(D) The President shall—
(i) review and approve Area Contingency Plans
under this paragraph; and
(ii) periodically review Area Contingency
Plans so approved.
(5) Tank vessel, nontank vessel, and facility response plans
(A)(i) The President shall issue regulations
which require an owner or operator of a tank
vessel or facility described in subparagraph (C)
to prepare and submit to the President a plan
for responding, to the maximum extent practicable, to a worst case discharge, and to a substantial threat of such a discharge, of oil or a
hazardous substance.
(ii) The President shall also issue regulations
which require an owner or operator of a nontank vessel to prepare and submit to the President a plan for responding, to the maximum extent practicable, to a worst case discharge, and
to a substantial threat of such a discharge, of
oil.
(B) The Secretary of the Department in which
the Coast Guard is operating may issue regulations which require an owner or operator of a
tank vessel, a nontank vessel, or a facility de-

Page 41

TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

scribed in subparagraph (C) that transfers noxious liquid substances in bulk to or from a vessel to prepare and submit to the Secretary a
plan for responding, to the maximum extent
practicable, to a worst case discharge, and to a
substantial threat of such a discharge, of a noxious liquid substance that is not designated as
a hazardous substance or regulated as oil in
any other law or regulation. For purposes of
this paragraph, the term “noxious liquid substance” has the same meaning when that term
is used in the MARPOL Protocol described in
section 1901(a)(3) 7 of this title.
(C) The tank vessels, nontank vessels, and facilities referred to in subparagraphs (A) and (B)
are the following:
(i) A tank vessel, as defined under section
2101 of title 46.
(ii) A nontank vessel.
(iii) An offshore facility.
(iv) An onshore facility that, because of its
location, could reasonably be expected to cause
substantial harm to the environment by discharging into or on the navigable waters, adjoining shorelines, or the exclusive economic zone.
(D) A response plan required under this paragraph shall—
(i) be consistent with the requirements of
the National Contingency Plan and Area Contingency Plans;
(ii) identify the qualified individual having
full authority to implement removal actions,
and require immediate communications between
that individual and the appropriate Federal
official and the persons providing personnel
and equipment pursuant to clause (iii);
(iii) identify, and ensure by contract or other
means approved by the President the availability of, private personnel and equipment necessary to remove to the maximum extent practicable a worst case discharge (including a
discharge resulting from fire or explosion),
and to mitigate or prevent a substantial threat
of such a discharge;
(iv) describe the training, equipment testing, periodic unannounced drills, and response
actions of persons on the vessel or at the facility, to be carried out under the plan to ensure the safety of the vessel or facility and to
mitigate or prevent the discharge, or the substantial threat of a discharge;
(v) be updated periodically; and
(vi) be resubmitted for approval of each significant change.
(E) With respect to any response plan submitted under this paragraph for an onshore facility
that, because of its location, could reasonably
be expected to cause significant and substantial harm to the environment by discharging
into or on the navigable waters or adjoining shorelines or the exclusive economic zone, and with
respect to each response plan submitted under
this paragraph for a tank vessel, nontank vessel, or offshore facility, the President shall—
(i) promptly review such response plan;
(ii) require amendments to any plan that does
not meet the requirements of this paragraph;
7

See References in Text note below.

§ 1321

(iii) approve any plan that meets the requirements of this paragraph;
(iv) review each plan periodically thereafter; and
(v) in the case of a plan for a nontank vessel, consider any applicable State-mandated
response plan in effect on August 9, 2004, and
ensure consistency to the extent practicable.
(F) A tank vessel, nontank vessel, offshore facility, or onshore facility required to prepare a
response plan under this subsection may not
handle, store, or transport oil unless—
(i) in the case of a tank vessel, nontank
vessel, offshore facility, or onshore facility for
which a response plan is reviewed by the President under subparagraph (E), the plan has been
approved by the President; and
(ii) the vessel or facility is operating in compliance with the plan.
(G) Notwithstanding subparagraph (E), the
President may authorize a tank vessel, nontank
vessel, offshore facility, or onshore facility to
operate without a response plan approved under
this paragraph, until not later than 2 years after the date of the submission to the President
of a plan for the tank vessel, nontank vessel, or
facility, if the owner or operator certifies that
the owner or operator has ensured by contract
or other means approved by the President the
availability of private personnel and equipment
necessary to respond, to the maximum extent
practicable, to a worst case discharge or a substantial threat of such a discharge.
(H) The owner or operator of a tank vessel,
nontank vessel, offshore facility, or onshore facility may not claim as a defense to liability
under title I of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 [33
U.S.C. 2701 et seq.] that the owner or operator
was acting in accordance with an approved response plan.
(I) The Secretary shall maintain, in the Vessel Identification System established under chapter 125 of title 46, the dates of approval and review of a response plan under this paragraph
for each tank vessel and nontank vessel that is
a vessel of the United States.
(6) Equipment requirements and inspection
The President may require—
(A) periodic inspection of containment booms,
skimmers, vessels, and other major equipment
used to remove discharges; and
(B) vessels operating on navigable waters and
carrying oil or a hazardous substance in bulk
as cargo, and nontank vessels carrying oil of
any kind as fuel for main propulsion, to carry
appropriate removal equipment that employs
the best technology economically feasible and
that is compatible with the safe operation of
the vessel.
(7) Area drills
The President shall periodically conduct drills
of removal capability, without prior notice, in
areas for which Area Contingency Plans are required under this subsection and under relevant
tank vessel, nontank vessel, and facility response
plans. The drills may include participation by
Federal, State, and local agencies, the owners
and operators of vessels and facilities in the
area, and private industry. The President may

§ 1321

TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

publish annual reports on these drills, including assessments of the effectiveness of the plans
and a list of amendments made to improve plans.

spect any monitoring equipment or methods
required under subparagraph (A).
(C) Arrests and execution of warrants
Anyone authorized by the Administrator or
the Secretary of the department in which the
Coast Guard is operating to enforce the provisions of this section with respect to any facility may—
(i) with or without a warrant, arrest any
person who violates the provisions of this
section or any regulation issued thereunder
in the presence or view of the person so authorized; and
(ii) execute any warrant or process issued
by an officer or court of competent jurisdiction.
(D) Public access
Any records, reports, or information obtained
under this paragraph shall be subject to the
same public access and disclosure requirements
which are applicable to records, reports, and
information obtained pursuant to section 1318
of this title.

(8) United States Government not liable
The United States Government is not liable
for any damages arising from its actions or omissions relating to any response plan required by
this section.
(k) Repealed. Pub. L. 101–380, title II, § 2002(b)(2),
Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat. 507
(l) Administration
The President is authorized to delegate the administration of this section to the heads of those
Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities which he determines to be appropriate. Each
such department, agency, and instrumentality, in
order to avoid duplication of effort, shall, whenever appropriate, utilize the personnel, services,
and facilities of other Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities.
(m) Administrative provisions
(1) For vessels
Anyone authorized by the President to enforce
the provisions of this section with respect to
any vessel may, except as to public vessels—
(A) board and inspect any vessel upon the
navigable waters of the United States or the
waters of the contiguous zone,
(B) with or without a warrant, arrest any
person who in the presence or view of the authorized person violates the provisions of this
section or any regulation issued thereunder,
and
(C) execute any warrant or other process issued by an officer or court of competent jurisdiction.
(2) For facilities
(A) Recordkeeping
Whenever required to carry out the purposes
of this section, the Administrator, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Secretary of
the Department in which the Coast Guard is
operating shall require the owner or operator
of a facility to which this section applies to
establish and maintain such records, make
such reports, install, use, and maintain such
monitoring equipment and methods, and provide such other information as the Administrator or Secretary, as the case may be, may
require to carry out the objectives of this section.
(B) Entry and inspection
Whenever required to carry out the purposes
of this section, the Administrator, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Secretary of
the Department in which the Coast Guard is
operating or an authorized representative of
the Administrator or Secretary, upon presentation of appropriate credentials, may—
(i) enter and inspect any facility to which
this section applies, including any facility
at which any records are required to be maintained under subparagraph (A); and
(ii) at reasonable times, have access to
and copy any records, take samples, and in-

Page 42

(n) Jurisdiction
The several district courts of the United States
are invested with jurisdiction for any actions, other
than actions pursuant to subsection (i)(l),8 arising under this section. In the case of Guam and
the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, such
actions may be brought in the district court of
Guam, and in the case of the Virgin Islands such
actions may be brought in the district court of
the Virgin Islands. In the case of American Samoa and the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, such actions may be brought in the District Court of the United States for the District
of Hawaii and such court shall have jurisdiction
of such actions. In the case of the Canal Zone,
such actions may be brought in the United States
District Court for the District of the Canal Zone.
(o) Obligation for damages unaffected; local authority not preempted; existing Federal authority not modified or affected
(1) Nothing in this section shall affect or modify in any way the obligations of any owner or
operator of any vessel, or of any owner or operator of any onshore facility or offshore facility to
any person or agency under any provision of law
for damages to any publicly owned or privately
owned property resulting from a discharge of any
oil or hazardous substance or from the removal of
any such oil or hazardous substance.
(2) Nothing in this section shall be construed as
preempting any State or political subdivision thereof from imposing any requirement or liability with
respect to the discharge of oil or hazardous substance into any waters within such State, or with
respect to any removal activities related to such
discharge.
(3) Nothing in this section shall be construed as
affecting or modifying any other existing authority of any Federal department, agency, or instrumentality, relative to onshore or offshore facilities under this chapter or any other provision of
law, or to affect any State or local law not in conflict with this section.
8

See References in Text note below.

Page 43

TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

§ 1321

(p) Repealed. Pub. L. 101–380, title II, § 2002(b)(4),
Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat. 507

(IX) Administrative costs of complying
with this subsection.

(q) Establishment of maximum limit of liability
with respect to onshore or offshore facilities
The President is authorized to establish, with
respect to any class or category of onshore or offshore facilities, a maximum limit of liability under subsections (f)(2) and (3) of this section of
less than $50,000,000, but not less than $8,000,000.

(ii) Activities to promote tourism and seafood in the Gulf Coast region

(r) Liability limitations not to limit liability under other legislation
Nothing in this section shall be construed to
impose, or authorize the imposition of, any limitation on liability under the Outer Continental
Shelf Lands Act [43 U.S.C. 1331 et seq.] or the
Deepwater Port Act of 1974 [33 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.].
(s) Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund
The Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund established
under section 9509 of title 26 shall be available to
carry out subsections (b), (c), (d), (j), and (l) as
those subsections apply to discharges, and substantial threats of discharges, of oil. Any amounts
received by the United States under this section
shall be deposited in the Oil Spill Liability Trust
Fund except as provided in subsection (t).
(t) Gulf Coast restoration and recovery
(1) State allocation and expenditures
(A) In general
Of the total amounts made available in any
fiscal year from the Trust Fund, 35 percent
shall be available, in accordance with the requirements of this section, to the Gulf Coast
States in equal shares for expenditure for ecological and economic restoration of the Gulf
Coast region in accordance with this subsection.
(B) Use of funds
(i) Eligible activities in the Gulf Coast region
Subject to clause (iii), amounts provided
to the Gulf Coast States under this subsection may only be used to carry out 1 or
more of the following activities in the Gulf
Coast region:
(I) Restoration and protection of the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, and
coastal wetlands of the Gulf Coast region.
(II) Mitigation of damage to fish, wildlife, and natural resources.
(III) Implementation of a federally approved marine, coastal, or comprehensive
conservation management plan, including
fisheries monitoring.
(IV) Workforce development and job creation.
(V) Improvements to or on State parks
located in coastal areas affected by the
Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
(VI) Infrastructure projects benefitting
the economy or ecological resources, including port infrastructure.
(VII) Coastal flood protection and related infrastructure.
(VIII) Planning assistance.

Amounts provided to the Gulf Coast States
under this subsection may be used to carry
out 1 or more of the following activities:
(I) Promotion of tourism in the Gulf Coast
Region, including recreational fishing.
(II) Promotion of the consumption of seafood harvested from the Gulf Coast Region.
(iii) Limitation
(I) In general
Of the amounts received by a Gulf Coast
State under this subsection, not more than
3 percent may be used for administrative
costs eligible under clause (i)(IX).
(II) Claims for compensation
Activities funded under this subsection
may not be included in any claim for compensation paid out by the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund after July 6, 2012.
(C) Coastal political subdivisions
(i) Distribution
In the case of a State where the coastal
zone includes the entire State—
(I) 75 percent of funding shall be provided directly to the 8 disproportionately
affected counties impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill; and
(II) 25 percent shall be provided directly
to nondisproportionately impacted counties within the State.
(ii) Nondisproportionately impacted counties
The total amounts made available to coastal political subdivisions in the State of Florida under clause (i)(II) shall be distributed
according to the following weighted formula:
(I) 34 percent based on the weighted average of the population of the county.
(II) 33 percent based on the weighted average of the county per capita sales tax
collections estimated for fiscal year 2012.
(III) 33 percent based on the inverse proportion of the weighted average distance
from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig to each
of the nearest and farthest points of the
shoreline.
(D) Louisiana
(i) In general
Of the total amounts made available to
the State of Louisiana under this paragraph:
(I) 70 percent shall be provided directly
to the State in accordance with this subsection.
(II) 30 percent shall be provided directly
to parishes in the coastal zone (as defined
in section 1453 of title 16) of the State of
Louisiana according to the following weighted formula:
(aa) 40 percent based on the weighted
average of miles of the parish shoreline
oiled.

§ 1321

TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
(bb) 40 percent based on the weighted
average of the population of the parish.
(cc) 20 percent based on the weighted
average of the land mass of the parish.

(ii) Conditions
(I) Land use plan
As a condition of receiving amounts allocated under this paragraph, the chief executive of the eligible parish shall certify
to the Governor of the State that the parish has completed a comprehensive land
use plan.
(II) Other conditions
A coastal political subdivision receiving
funding under this paragraph shall meet
all of the conditions in subparagraph (E).
(E) Conditions
As a condition of receiving amounts from
the Trust Fund, a Gulf Coast State, including
the entities described in subparagraph (F), or
a coastal political subdivision shall—
(i) agree to meet such conditions, including audit requirements, as the Secretary of
the Treasury determines necessary to ensure that amounts disbursed from the Trust
Fund will be used in accordance with this
subsection;
(ii) certify in such form and in such manner as the Secretary of the Treasury determines necessary that the project or program
for which the Gulf Coast State or coastal
political subdivision is requesting amounts—
(I) is designed to restore and protect
the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches,
coastal wetlands, or economy of the Gulf
Coast;
(II) carries out 1 or more of the activities described in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B);
(III) was selected based on meaningful
input from the public, including broad-based
participation from individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations; and
(IV) in the case of a natural resource
protection or restoration project, is based
on the best available science;
(iii) certify that the project or program
and the awarding of a contract for the expenditure of amounts received under this
paragraph are consistent with the standard
procurement rules and regulations governing a comparable project or program in that
State, including all applicable competitive
bidding and audit requirements; and
(iv) develop and submit a multiyear implementation plan for the use of such amounts,
which may include milestones, projected completion of each activity, and a mechanism
to evaluate the success of each activity in
helping to restore and protect the Gulf Coast
region impacted by the Deepwater Horizon
oil spill.
(F) Approval by State entity, task force, or
agency
The following Gulf Coast State entities, task
forces, or agencies shall carry out the duties

Page 44

of a Gulf Coast State pursuant to this paragraph:
(i) Alabama
(I) In general
In the State of Alabama, the Alabama
Gulf Coast Recovery Council, which shall
be comprised of only the following:
(aa) The Governor of Alabama, who
shall also serve as Chairperson and preside over the meetings of the Alabama
Gulf Coast Recovery Council.
(bb) The Director of the Alabama State
Port Authority, who shall also serve as
Vice Chairperson and preside over the
meetings of the Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council in the absence of the
Chairperson.
(cc) The Chairman of the Baldwin County Commission.
(dd) The President of the Mobile County Commission.
(ee) The Mayor of the city of Bayou
La Batre.
(ff) The Mayor of the town of Dauphin
Island.
(gg) The Mayor of the city of Fairhope.
(hh) The Mayor of the city of Gulf
Shores.
(ii) The Mayor of the city of Mobile.
(jj) The Mayor of the city of Orange
Beach.
(II) Vote
Each member of the Alabama Gulf Coast
Recovery Council shall be entitled to 1
vote.
(III) Majority vote
All decisions of the Alabama Gulf Coast
Recovery Council shall be made by majority vote.
(IV) Limitation on administrative expenses
Administrative duties for the Alabama
Gulf Coast Recovery Council may only be
performed by public officials and employees that are subject to the ethics laws of
the State of Alabama.
(ii) Louisiana
In the State of Louisiana, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority of Louisiana.
(iii) Mississippi
In the State of Mississippi, the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.
(iv) Texas
In the State of Texas, the Office of the
Governor or an appointee of the Office of
the Governor.
(G) Compliance with eligible activities
If the Secretary of the Treasury determines
that an expenditure by a Gulf Coast State or
coastal political subdivision of amounts made
available under this subsection does not meet
one of the activities described in clauses (i)
and (ii) of subparagraph (B), the Secretary
shall make no additional amounts from the
Trust Fund available to that Gulf Coast State

Page 45

TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

or coastal political subdivision until such time
as an amount equal to the amount expended
for the unauthorized use—
(i) has been deposited by the Gulf Coast
State or coastal political subdivision in the
Trust Fund; or
(ii) has been authorized by the Secretary
of the Treasury for expenditure by the Gulf
Coast State or coastal political subdivision
for a project or program that meets the requirements of this subsection.
(H) Compliance with conditions
If the Secretary of the Treasury determines
that a Gulf Coast State or coastal political
subdivision does not meet the requirements of
this paragraph, including the conditions of subparagraph (E), where applicable, the Secretary of the Treasury shall make no amounts
from the Trust Fund available to that Gulf
Coast State or coastal political subdivision
until all conditions of this paragraph are met.
(I) Public input
In meeting any condition of this paragraph,
a Gulf Coast State may use an appropriate
procedure for public consultation in that Gulf
Coast State, including consulting with one or
more established task forces or other entities,
to develop recommendations for proposed
projects and programs that would restore and
protect the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches,
coastal wetlands, and economy of the Gulf
Coast.
(J) Previously approved projects and programs
A Gulf Coast State or coastal political subdivision shall be considered to have met the
conditions of subparagraph (E) for a specific
project or program if, before July 6, 2012—
(i) the Gulf Coast State or coastal political subdivision has established conditions
for carrying out projects and programs that
are substantively the same as the conditions
described in subparagraph (E); and
(ii) the applicable project or program carries out 1 or more of the activities described
in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (B).
(K) Local preference
In awarding contracts to carry out a project
or program under this paragraph, a Gulf Coast
State or coastal political subdivision may give
a preference to individuals and companies that
reside in, are headquartered in, or are principally engaged in business in the State of
project execution.
(L) Unused funds
Funds allocated to a State or coastal political subdivision under this paragraph shall
remain in the Trust Fund until such time as
the State or coastal political subdivision develops and submits a plan identifying uses for
those funds in accordance with subparagraph
(E)(iv).
(M) Judicial review
If the Secretary of the Treasury determines
that a Gulf Coast State or coastal political
subdivision does not meet the requirements of

§ 1321

this paragraph, including the conditions of subparagraph (E), the Gulf Coast State or coastal political subdivision may obtain expedited
judicial review within 90 days after that decision in a district court of the United States,
of appropriate jurisdiction and venue, that is
located within the State seeking the review.
(N) Cost-sharing
(i) In general
A Gulf Coast State or coastal political
subdivision may use, in whole or in part,
amounts made available under this paragraph
to that Gulf Coast State or coastal political
subdivision to satisfy the non-Federal share
of the cost of any project or program authorized by Federal law that is an eligible
activity described in clauses (i) and (ii) of
subparagraph (B).
(ii) Effect on other funds
The use of funds made available from the
Trust Fund to satisfy the non-Federal share
of the cost of a project or program that
meets the requirements of clause (i) shall
not affect the priority in which other Federal funds are allocated or awarded.
(2) Council establishment and allocation
(A) In general
Of the total amount made available in any
fiscal year from the Trust Fund, 30 percent
shall be disbursed to the Council to carry out
the Comprehensive Plan.
(B) Council expenditures
(i) In general
In accordance with this paragraph, the
Council shall expend funds made available
from the Trust Fund to undertake projects
and programs, using the best available science,
that would restore and protect the natural
resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and
wildlife habitats, beaches, coastal wetlands,
and economy of the Gulf Coast.
(ii) Allocation and expenditure procedures
The Secretary of the Treasury shall develop such conditions, including audit requirements, as the Secretary of the Treasury determines necessary to ensure that amounts
disbursed from the Trust Fund to the Council to implement the Comprehensive Plan
will be used in accordance with this paragraph.
(iii) Administrative expenses
Of the amounts received by the Council
under this paragraph, not more than 3 percent may be used for administrative expenses,
including staff.
(C) Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council
(i) Establishment
There is established as an independent entity in the Federal Government a council to
be known as the “Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council”.

§ 1321

TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

(ii) Membership
The Council shall consist of the following
members, or in the case of a Federal agency,
a designee at the level of the Assistant Secretary or the equivalent:
(I) The Secretary of the Interior.
(II) The Secretary of the Army.
(III) The Secretary of Commerce.
(IV) The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
(V) The Secretary of Agriculture.
(VI) The head of the department in which
the Coast Guard is operating.
(VII) The Governor of the State of Alabama.
(VIII) The Governor of the State of Florida.
(IX) The Governor of the State of Louisiana.
(X) The Governor of the State of Mississippi.
(XI) The Governor of the State of Texas.
(iii) Alternate
A Governor appointed to the Council by
the President may designate an alternate
to represent the Governor on the Council
and vote on behalf of the Governor.
(iv) Chairperson
From among the Federal agency members
of the Council, the representatives of States
on the Council shall select, and the President shall appoint, 1 Federal member to serve
as Chairperson of the Council.
(v) Presidential appointment
All Council members shall be appointed
by the President.
(vi) Council actions
(I) In general
The following actions by the Council shall
require the affirmative vote of the Chairperson and a majority of the State members to be effective:
(aa) Approval of a Comprehensive Plan
and future revisions to a Comprehensive
Plan.
(bb) Approval of State plans pursuant
to paragraph (3)(B)(iv).
(cc) Approval of reports to Congress
pursuant to clause (vii)(VII).
(dd) Approval of transfers pursuant to
subparagraph (E)(ii)(I).
(ee) Other significant actions determined by the Council.
(II) Quorum
A majority of State members shall be
required to be present for the Council to
take any significant action.
(III) Affirmative vote requirement considered met
For approval of State plans pursuant to
paragraph (3)(B)(iv), the certification by
a State member of the Council that the
plan satisfies all requirements of clauses
(i) and (ii) of paragraph (3)(B), when joined
by an affirmative vote of the Federal Chair-

Page 46

person of the Council, shall be considered
to satisfy the requirements for affirmative votes under subclause (I).
(IV) Public transparency
Appropriate actions of the Council, including significant actions and associated
deliberations, shall be made available to
the public via electronic means prior to
any vote.
(vii) Duties of Council
The Council shall—
(I) develop the Comprehensive Plan and
future revisions to the Comprehensive Plan;
(II) identify as soon as practicable the
projects that—
(aa) have been authorized prior to July
6, 2012, but not yet commenced; and
(bb) if implemented quickly, would restore and protect the natural resources,
ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, barrier islands,
dunes, and coastal wetlands of the Gulf
Coast region;
(III) establish such other 1 or more advisory committees as may be necessary
to assist the Council, including a scientific advisory committee and a committee
to advise the Council on public policy issues;
(IV) collect and consider scientific and
other research associated with restoration
of the Gulf Coast ecosystem, including research, observation, and monitoring carried out pursuant to sections 1604 and 1605
of the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived
Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of
2012;
(V) develop standard terms to include in
contracts for projects and programs awarded pursuant to the Comprehensive Plan
that provide a preference to individuals
and companies that reside in, are headquartered in, or are principally engaged
in business in a Gulf Coast State;
(VI) prepare an integrated financial plan
and recommendations for coordinated budget requests for the amounts proposed to
be expended by the Federal agencies represented on the Council for projects and
programs in the Gulf Coast States; and
(VII) submit to Congress an annual report that—
(aa) summarizes the policies, strategies, plans, and activities for addressing
the restoration and protection of the Gulf
Coast region;
(bb) describes the projects and programs
being implemented to restore and protect the Gulf Coast region, including—
(AA) a list of each project and program;
(BB) an identification of the funding provided to projects and programs
identified in subitem (AA);
(CC) an identification of each recipient for funding identified in subitem
(BB); and

Page 47

TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
(DD) a description of the length of
time and funding needed to complete
the objectives of each project and program identified in subitem (AA);
(cc) makes such recommendations to
Congress for modifications of existing
laws as the Council determines necessary to implement the Comprehensive
Plan;
(dd) reports on the progress on implementation of each project or program—
(AA) after 3 years of ongoing activity of the project or program, if applicable; and
(BB) on completion of the project or
program;

(ee) includes the information required
to be submitted under section 1605(c)(4)
of the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and
Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast
States Act of 2012; and
(ff) submits the reports required under item (dd) to—
(AA) the Committee on Science,
Space, and Technology, the Committee on Natural Resources, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives;
and
(BB) the Committee on Environment
and Public Works, the Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources, and the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
(viii) Application of Federal Advisory Committee Act
The Council, or any other advisory committee established under this subparagraph,
shall not be considered an advisory committee under the Federal Advisory Committee
Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
(ix) Sunset
The authority for the Council, and any other
advisory committee established under this
subparagraph, shall terminate on the date
all funds in the Trust Fund have been expended.
(D) Comprehensive plan
(i) Proposed plan
(I) In general
Not later than 180 days after July 6, 2012,
the Chairperson, on behalf of the Council
and after appropriate public input, review,
and comment, shall publish a proposed plan
to restore and protect the natural resources,
ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife
habitats, beaches, and coastal wetlands of
the Gulf Coast region.
(II) Inclusions
The proposed plan described in subclause
(I) shall include and incorporate the findings and information prepared by the President’s Gulf Coast Restoration Task Force.

§ 1321

(ii) Publication
(I) Initial plan
Not later than 1 year after July 6, 2012,
and after notice and opportunity for public comment, the Chairperson, on behalf
of the Council and after approval by the
Council, shall publish in the Federal Register the initial Comprehensive Plan to
restore and protect the natural resources,
ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife
habitats, beaches, and coastal wetlands of
the Gulf Coast region.
(II) Cooperation with Gulf Coast Restoration Task Force
The Council shall develop the initial Comprehensive Plan in close coordination with
the President’s Gulf Coast Restoration Task
Force.
(III) Considerations
In developing the initial Comprehensive
Plan and subsequent updates, the Council
shall consider all relevant findings, reports,
or research prepared or funded under section 1604 or 1605 of the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf
Coast States Act of 2012.
(IV) Contents
The initial Comprehensive Plan shall
include—
(aa) such provisions as are necessary
to fully incorporate in the Comprehensive Plan the strategy, projects, and programs recommended by the President’s
Gulf Coast Restoration Task Force;
(bb) a list of any project or program
authorized prior to July 6, 2012, but not
yet commenced, the completion of which
would further the purposes and goals of
this subsection and of the Resources and
Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of
the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012;
(cc) a description of the manner in
which amounts from the Trust Fund projected to be made available to the Council for the succeeding 10 years will be
allocated; and
(dd) subject to available funding in accordance with clause (iii), a prioritized
list of specific projects and programs to
be funded and carried out during the
3-year period immediately following the
date of publication of the initial Comprehensive Plan, including a table that
illustrates the distribution of projects
and programs by the Gulf Coast State.
(V) Plan updates
The Council shall update—
(aa) the Comprehensive Plan every 5
years in a manner comparable to the
manner established in this subparagraph
for each 5-year period for which amounts
are expected to be made available to the
Gulf Coast States from the Trust Fund;
and

§ 1321

TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
(bb) the 3-year list of projects and programs described in subclause (IV)(dd) annually.

(iii) Restoration priorities
Except for projects and programs described
in clause (ii)(IV)(bb), in selecting projects
and programs to include on the 3-year list
described in clause (ii)(IV)(dd), based on the
best available science, the Council shall give
highest priority to projects that address 1
or more of the following criteria:
(I) Projects that are projected to make
the greatest contribution to restoring and
protecting the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, and coastal wetlands of the
Gulf Coast region, without regard to geographic location within the Gulf Coast region.
(II) Large-scale projects and programs
that are projected to substantially contribute to restoring and protecting the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, and
coastal wetlands of the Gulf Coast ecosystem.
(III) Projects contained in existing Gulf
Coast State comprehensive plans for the
restoration and protection of natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and
wildlife habitats, beaches, and coastal wetlands of the Gulf Coast region.
(IV) Projects that restore long-term resiliency of the natural resources, ecosystems, fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, and coastal wetlands most
impacted by the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
(E) Implementation
(i) In general
The Council, acting through the Federal
agencies represented on the Council and Gulf
Coast States, shall expend funds made available from the Trust Fund to carry out projects
and programs adopted in the Comprehensive Plan.
(ii) Administrative responsibility
(I) In general
Primary authority and responsibility for
each project and program included in the
Comprehensive Plan shall be assigned by
the Council to a Gulf Coast State represented on the Council or a Federal agency.
(II) Transfer of amounts
Amounts necessary to carry out each
project or program included in the Comprehensive Plan shall be transferred by
the Secretary of the Treasury from the
Trust Fund to that Federal agency or Gulf
Coast State as the project or program is
implemented, subject to such conditions
as the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Commerce, established pursuant to section 1602 of the
Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability,
Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012.

Page 48

(III) Limitation on transfers
(aa) Grants to nongovernmental entities
In the case of funds transferred to a
Federal or State agency under subclause
(II), the agency shall not make 1 or more
grants or cooperative agreements to a
nongovernmental entity if the total
amount provided to the entity would equal
or exceed 10 percent of the total amount
provided to the agency for that particular project or program, unless the 1 or
more grants have been reported in accordance with item (bb).
(bb) Reporting of grantees
At least 30 days prior to making a
grant or entering into a cooperative agreement described in item (aa), the name
of each grantee, including the amount
and purpose of each grant or cooperative agreement, shall be published in the
Federal Register and delivered to the
congressional committees listed in subparagraph (C)(vii)(VII)(ff).
(cc) Annual reporting of grantees
Annually, the name of each grantee,
including the amount and purposes of
each grant or cooperative agreement, shall
be published in the Federal Register and
delivered to Congress as part of the report submitted pursuant to subparagraph
(C)(vii)(VII).
(IV) Project and program limitation
The Council, a Federal agency, or a State
may not carry out a project or program
funded under this paragraph outside of the
Gulf Coast region.
(F) Coordination
The Council and the Federal members of the
Council may develop memoranda of understanding establishing integrated funding and implementation plans among the member agencies and authorities.
(3) Oil spill restoration impact allocation
(A) In general
(i) Disbursement
Of the total amount made available from
the Trust Fund, 30 percent shall be disbursed
pursuant to the formula in clause (ii) to the
Gulf Coast States on the approval of the
plan described in subparagraph (B)(i).
(ii) Formula
Subject to subparagraph (B), for each Gulf
Coast State, the amount disbursed under this
paragraph shall be based on a formula established by the Council by regulation that
is based on a weighted average of the following criteria:
(I) 40 percent based on the proportionate number of miles of shoreline in each
Gulf Coast State that experienced oiling
on or before April 10, 2011, compared to
the total number of miles of shoreline that
experienced oiling as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Page 49

TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
(II) 40 percent based on the inverse proportion of the average distance from the
mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon at the time of the explosion to the
nearest and farthest point of the shoreline that experienced oiling of each Gulf
Coast State.
(III) 20 percent based on the average population in the 2010 decennial census of
coastal counties bordering the Gulf of Mexico within each Gulf Coast State.

(I) in the State of Alabama, the Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council established under paragraph (1)(F)(i);
(II) in the State of Florida, a consortia 9
of local political subdivisions that includes
at a minimum 1 representative of each affected county;
(III) in the State of Louisiana, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority
of Louisiana;
(IV) in the State of Mississippi, the Office of the Governor or an appointee of
the Office of the Governor; and
(V) in the State of Texas, the Office of
the Governor or an appointee of the Office
of the Governor.

(iii) Minimum allocation
The amount disbursed to a Gulf Coast State
for each fiscal year under clause (ii) shall
be at least 5 percent of the total amounts
made available under this paragraph.

(iv) Approval

(B) Disbursement of funds

Not later than 60 days after the date on
which a plan is submitted under clause (i),
the Council shall approve or disapprove the
plan based on the conditions of clause (i).

(i) In general
The Council shall disburse amounts to the
respective Gulf Coast States in accordance
with the formula developed under subparagraph (A) for projects, programs, and activities that will improve the ecosystems or
economy of the Gulf Coast region, subject
to the condition that each Gulf Coast State
submits a plan for the expenditure of amounts
disbursed under this paragraph that meets
the following criteria:
(I) All projects, programs, and activities
included in the plan are eligible activities
pursuant to clauses (i) and (ii) of paragraph (1)(B).
(II) The projects, programs, and activities included in the plan contribute to the
overall economic and ecological recovery
of the Gulf Coast.
(III) The plan takes into consideration
the Comprehensive Plan and is consistent
with the goals and objectives of the Plan,
as described in paragraph (2)(B)(i).

(C) Disapproval
If the Council disapproves a plan pursuant
to subparagraph (B)(iv), the Council shall—
(i) provide the reasons for disapproval in
writing; and
(ii) consult with the State to address any
identified deficiencies with the State plan.
(D) Failure to submit adequate plan
If a State fails to submit an adequate plan
under this paragraph, any funds made available under this paragraph shall remain in the
Trust Fund until such date as a plan is submitted and approved pursuant to this paragraph.
(E) Judicial review
If the Council fails to approve or take action within 60 days on a plan, as described in
subparagraph (B)(iv), the State may obtain
expedited judicial review within 90 days of that
decision in a district court of the United States,
of appropriate jurisdiction and venue, that is
located within the State seeking the review.
(F) Cost-sharing
(i) In general
A Gulf Coast State or coastal political
subdivision may use, in whole or in part,
amounts made available to that Gulf Coast
State or coastal political subdivision under
this paragraph to satisfy the non-Federal
share of any project or program that—
(I) is authorized by other Federal law;
and
(II) is an eligible activity described in
clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (1)(B).
(ii) Effect on other funds
The use of funds made available from the
Trust Fund under this paragraph to satisfy
the non-Federal share of the cost of a project
or program described in clause (i) shall not
affect the priority in which other Federal
funds are allocated or awarded.

(ii) Funding
(I) In general
Except as provided in subclause (II), the
plan described in clause (i) may use not
more than 25 percent of the funding made
available for infrastructure projects eligible under subclauses (VI) and (VII) of paragraph (1)(B)(i).
(II) Exception
The plan described in clause (i) may propose to use more than 25 percent of the
funding made available for infrastructure
projects eligible under subclauses (VI) and
(VII) of paragraph (1)(B)(i) if the plan certifies that—
(aa) ecosystem restoration needs in the
State will be addressed by the projects
in the proposed plan; and
(bb) additional investment in infrastructure is required to mitigate the impacts
of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill to
the ecosystem or economy.
(iii) Development
The plan described in clause (i) shall be
developed by—

§ 1321

9

So in original. Probably should be “consortium”.

§ 1321

TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

(4) Authorization of interest transfers
Of the total amount made available for any
fiscal year from the Trust Fund that is equal to
the interest earned by the Trust Fund and proceeds from investments made by the Trust Fund
in the preceding fiscal year—
(A) 50 percent shall be divided equally
between—
(i) the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration
Science, Observation, Monitoring, and Technology program authorized in section 1604
of the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived
Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of
2012; and
(ii) the centers of excellence research grants
authorized in section 1605 of that Act; and
(B) 50 percent shall be made available to
the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council to carry out the Comprehensive Plan pursuant to paragraph (2).
(June 30, 1948, ch. 758, title III, § 311, as added
Pub. L. 92–500, § 2, Oct. 18, 1972, 86 Stat. 862; amended Pub. L. 93–207, § 1(4), Dec. 28, 1973, 87 Stat. 906;
Pub. L. 95–217, §§ 57, 58(a)–(g), (i), (k)–(m), Dec. 27,
1977, 91 Stat. 1593–1596; Pub. L. 95–576, § 1(b), Nov.
2, 1978, 92 Stat. 2467; Pub. L. 96–478, § 13(b), Oct. 21,
1980, 94 Stat. 2303; Pub. L. 96–483, § 8, Oct. 21, 1980,
94 Stat. 2362; Pub. L. 96–561, title II, § 238(b), Dec.
22, 1980, 94 Stat. 3300; Pub. L. 97–164, title I, § 161(5),
Apr. 2, 1982, 96 Stat. 49; Pub. L. 100–4, title V,
§ 502(b), Feb. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 75; Pub. L. 101–380,
title II, § 2002(b), title IV, §§ 4201(a), (b), (b)[(c)],
4202(a), (c), 4204, 4301(a), (b), 4305, 4306, Aug. 18,
1990, 104 Stat. 507, 523–527, 532, 533, 540, 541; Pub.
L. 102–388, title III, § 349, Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat.
1554; Pub. L. 102–572, title IX, § 902(b)(1), Oct. 29,
1992, 106 Stat. 4516; Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I,
§ 101(a) [title II, § 211(b)], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat.
3009, 3009–41; Pub. L. 104–324, title XI, §§ 1143, 1144,
Oct. 19, 1996, 110 Stat. 3992; Pub. L. 105–383, title
IV, § 411, Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3432; Pub. L. 108–293,
title VII, § 701(a), (b), (d), Aug. 9, 2004, 118 Stat.
1067, 1068; Pub. L. 109–241, title VI, § 608, title IX,
§ 901(i), July 11, 2006, 120 Stat. 558, 564; Pub. L.
112–90, § 10, Jan. 3, 2012, 125 Stat. 1912; Pub. L.
112–141, div. A, title I, § 1603, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat.
589; Pub. L. 113–281, title III, § 313, Dec. 18, 2014,
128 Stat. 3048; Pub. L. 115–91, div. C, title XXXV,
§ 3508(b)(2), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1916; Pub. L.
115–232, div. C, title XXXV, § 3541(b)(5), Aug. 13,
2018, 132 Stat. 2323.)
References in Text
Section 1001 of the Oil Pollution Act, referred to in
subsec. (a)(11), probably means section 1001 of Pub. L.
101–380, known as the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, which is
classified to section 2701 of this title.
The Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist
Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast
States Act of 2012, referred to in subsecs. (a)(35) and
(t)(2)(C)(vii)(IV), (VII)(ee), (D)(ii)(III), (IV)(bb), (E)(ii)(II),
(4)(A), is subtitle F (§§ 1601–1608) of title I of div. A of
Pub. L. 112–141, July 6, 2012, 126 Stat. 588, which is set
out as a note below.
The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, referred to in
subsecs. (b)(1), (2)(A), (3) and (r), is act Aug. 7, 1953, ch.
345, 67 Stat. 462, as amended, which is classified generally to subchapter III (§ 1331 et seq.) of chapter 29 of
Title 43, Public Lands. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1301 of Title 43 and Tables.

Page 50

The Deepwater Port Act of 1974, referred to in subsecs.
(b)(1), (2)(A), (3) and (r), is Pub. L. 93–627, Jan. 3, 1975, 88
Stat. 2126, as amended, which is classified generally to
chapter 29 (§ 1501 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note
set out under section 1501 of this title and Tables.
The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), (2)(A), (3), is
Pub. L. 94–265, Apr. 13, 1976, 90 Stat. 331, as amended,
which is classified principally to chapter 38 (§ 1801 et
seq.) of Title 16, Conservation. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out
under section 1801 of Title 16 and Tables.
The date of enactment of this paragraph, referred to
in subsec. (b)(2)(B), probably means the date of enactment of Pub. L. 95–576, which amended subsec. (b)(2)(B)
and which was approved Nov. 2, 1978.
The penalty enacted in subclause (bb) of clause (iii) of
subparagraph (B) of subsection (b)(2) of section 311 of
Public Law 92–500, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(B), probably means the penalty provision of subsec. (b)(2)(B)(iii)(bb)
of this section as added by Pub. L. 92–500, § 2, Oct. 18,
1972, 86 Stat. 864, prior to the amendment to subsec.
(b)(2)(B) by section 1(b)(3) of Pub. L. 95–576. Prior to
amendment, subsec. (b)(2)(B)(iii)(bb) read as follows: “a
penalty determined by the number of units discharged
multiplied by the amount established for such unit under
clause (iv) of this subparagraph, but such penalty shall
not be more than $5,000,000 in the case of a discharge
from a vessel and $500,000 in the case of a discharge
from an onshore or offshore facility.”
Section 4367 of the Revised Statutes of the United States
(46 U.S.C. App. 313), referred to in subsec. (b)(12)(B), was
repealed by Pub. L. 103–182, title VI, § 690(a)(21), Dec. 8,
1993, 107 Stat. 2223.
Section 1443 of title 19, referred to in subsec. (b)(12)(C),
was repealed by Pub. L. 103–182, title VI, § 690(b)(6), Dec.
8, 1993, 107 Stat. 2223.
The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, referred to in subsec.
(c)(4)(B)(ii), is Pub. L. 96–510, Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2767,
as amended, which is classified principally to chapter
103 (§ 9601 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code,
see Short Title note set out under section 9601 of Title 42
and Tables.
The Oil Pollution Act of 1990, referred to in subsecs.
(c)(5)(B), (d)(2)(H), and (j)(5)(H), is Pub. L. 101–380, Aug.
18, 1990, 104 Stat. 484, which is classified principally to
chapter 40 (§ 2701 et seq.) of this title. Title I of the Act is
classified generally to subchapter I (§ 2701 et seq.) of chapter 40 of this title. For complete classification of this Act
to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section
2701 of this title and Tables.
Subsection (c)(2) of this section, referred to in subsec.
(j)(1), was generally amended by Pub. L. 101–380, title IV,
§ 4201(a), Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat. 523, and no longer contains provisions establishing a National Contingency Plan.
However, such provisions are contained in subsec. (d) of
this section.
Par. (3) of section 1901(a) of this title, referred to in
subsec. (j)(5)(B), was redesignated par. (4) by Pub. L.
110–280, § 3(1), July 21, 2008, 122 Stat. 2611.
Subsection (i)(l), referred to in subsec. (n), probably
should be “subsection (i)(1)”. The par. (1) designation
was struck out from subsec. (i) by Pub. L. 101–380, title
II, §2002(b)(1), Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat. 507.
The Federal Advisory Committee Act, referred to in
subsec. (t)(2)(C)(viii), is Pub. L. 92–463, Oct. 6, 1972, 86
Stat. 770, which is set out in the Appendix to Title 5,
Government Organization and Employees.
Codification
In subsec. (b)(12)(A), “section 60105 of title 46” substituted for “section 4197 of the Revised Statutes of the
United States (46 App. U.S.C. 91)” on authority of Pub. L.
109–304, § 18(c), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1709, which Act enacted section 60105 of Title 46, Shipping.

Page 51

TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
Amendments

2018—Subsec. (a)(26)(D). Pub. L. 115–232 substituted “section 2101(23)” for “section 2101(17a)”.
2017—Subsec. (a)(11). Pub. L. 115–91 substituted “any
facility” for “and any facility” and inserted “, and, for
the purposes of applying subsections (b), (c), (e), and (o),
any foreign offshore unit (as defined in section 1001 of
the Oil Pollution Act) or any other facility located seaward of the exclusive economic zone” after “public vessel”.
2014—Subsec. (j)(4)(A). Pub. L. 113–281, § 313(1), substituted “qualified—” for “qualified personnel of Federal,
State, and local agencies.” in introductory provisions and
added cls. (i) and (ii).
Subsec. (j)(4)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 113–281, § 313(2), substituted “, local, and tribal” for “and local” and “wildlife, including advance planning with respect to the closing and
reopening of fishing areas following a discharge;” for
“wildlife;”.
Subsec. (j)(4)(B)(iii). Pub. L. 113–281, § 313(3), substituted “, local, and tribal” for “and local”.
Subsec. (j)(4)(C)(iv). Pub. L. 113–281, § 313(4)(A), substituted “, Federal, State, and local agencies, and tribal
governments” for “and Federal, State, and local agencies”.
Subsec. (j)(4)(C)(vii) to (ix). Pub. L. 113–281, § 313(4)(B),
(C), added cl. (vii) and redesignated former cls. (vii) and
(viii) as (viii) and (ix), respectively.
2012—Subsec. (a)(27) to (35). Pub. L. 112–141, § 1603(1),
added pars. (27) to (35).
Subsec. (b)(6)(A). Pub. L. 112–90, § 10(b), substituted “operating, the Secretary of Transportation, or” for “operating or” in concluding provisions.
Subsec. (m)(2)(A), (B). Pub. L. 112–90, § 10(a), which directed amendment of subpars. (A) and (B) by substituting “Administrator, the Secretary of Transportation, or”
for “Administrator or” was executed by making the substitution the first place appearing in each subpar., to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Subsec. (s). Pub. L. 112–141, § 1603(2), inserted “except
as provided in subsection (t)” before period at end.
Subsec. (t). Pub. L. 112–141, § 1603(3), added subsec. (t).
2006—Subsec. (a)(26). Pub. L. 109–241, § 608, amended par.
(26) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (26) read as follows: “ ‘nontank vessel’ means a self-propelled vessel of
400 gross tons as measured under section 14302 of title 46
or greater, other than a tank vessel, that carries oil of
any kind as fuel for main propulsion and that—
“(A) is a vessel of the United States; or
“(B) operates on the navigable waters of the United
States.”
Subsec. (j)(5)(A)(ii), (B), (F), and (G). Pub. L. 109–241,
§ 901(i)(1), substituted “nontank” for “non-tank” wherever appearing.
Subsec. (j)(5)(H). Pub. L. 109–241, § 901(i)(2), amended
directory language of Pub. L. 108–293, § 701(b)(9). See 2004
Amendment note below.
2004—Subsec. (a)(26). Pub. L. 108–293, § 701(a), added par.
(26).
Subsec. (j)(5). Pub. L. 108–293, § 701(b)(1), inserted “, nontank vessel,” after “vessel” in heading.
Subsec. (j)(5)(A). Pub. L. 108–293, § 701(b)(2), (d)(3), designated existing text as cl. (i), substituted “subparagraph
(C)” for “subparagraph (B)”, and added cl. (ii).
Subsec. (j)(5)(B). Pub. L. 108–293, § 701(d)(2), added subpar. (B). Former subpar. (B) redesignated (C).
Pub. L. 108–293, § 701(b)(3), (4), inserted “, nontank vessels,” after “vessels” in introductory provisions, added
cl. (ii), and redesignated former cls. (ii) and (iii) as (iii)
and (iv), respectively.
Subsec. (j)(5)(C). Pub. L. 108–293, § 701(d)(1), (4), redesignated subpar. (B) as (C) and substituted “subparagraphs
(A) and (B)” for “subparagraph (A)” in introductory provisions. Former subpar. (C) redesignated (D).
Subsec. (j)(5)(D). Pub. L. 108–293, § 701(d)(1), redesignated subpar. (C) as (D). Former subpar (D) redesignated
(E).

§ 1321

Pub. L. 108–293, § 701(b)(5), inserted “, nontank vessel,”
after “vessel” in introductory provisions and added cl.
(v).
Subsec. (j)(5)(E). Pub. L. 108–293, § 701(d)(1), redesignated subpar. (D) as (E). Former subpar. (E) redesignated
(F).
Pub. L. 108–293, § 701(b)(6), inserted “non-tank vessel,”
after “vessel,” in two places.
Subsec. (j)(5)(F). Pub. L. 108–293, § 701(d)(1), (5), redesignated subpar. (E) as (F) and substituted “subparagraph
(E),” for “subparagraph (D),” in cl. (i). Former subpar.
(F) redesignated (G).
Pub. L. 108–293, § 701(b)(7), inserted “non-tank vessel,”
after “vessel,” and substituted “vessel, non-tank vessel,
or” for “vessel or”.
Subsec. (j)(5)(G). Pub. L. 108–293, § 701(d)(1), redesignated subpar. (F) as (G). Former subpar. (G) redesignated
(H).
Pub. L. 108–293, § 701(b)(8), inserted “nontank vessel,”
after “vessel,”.
Subsec. (j)(5)(H). Pub. L. 108–293, § 701(d)(1), redesignated subpar. (G) as (H). Former subpar. (H) redesignated
(I).
Pub. L. 108–293, § 701(b)(9), as amended by Pub. L. 109–241,
§ 901(i)(2), inserted “and nontank vessel” after “each tank
vessel”.
Subsec. (j)(5)(I). Pub. L. 108–293, § 701(d)(1), redesignated subpar. (H) as (I).
Subsec. (j)(6). Pub. L. 108–293, § 701(b)(10), substituted
“The President may require—” for “Not later than 2
years after August 18, 1990, the President shall require—”
in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (j)(6)(B). Pub. L. 108–293, § 701(b)(11), inserted
“, and nontank vessels carrying oil of any kind as fuel
for main propulsion,” after “cargo”.
Subsec. (j)(7). Pub. L. 108–293, § 701(b)(12), inserted “, nontank vessel,” after “vessel”.
1998—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 105–383, § 411(b), substituted “, (C)” for “and (C)” and inserted “, and (D) discharges
incidental to mechanical removal authorized by the President under subsection (c) of this section” before semicolon at end.
Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 105–383, § 411(a)(1), substituted
“to prevent, minimize, or mitigate damage” for “to minimize or mitigate damage”.
Subsec. (a)(25). Pub. L. 105–383, § 411(a)(2), added par.
(25).
Subsec. (c)(4)(A). Pub. L. 105–383, § 411(a)(3), inserted
“relating to a discharge or a substantial threat of a discharge of oil or a hazardous substance” before period at
end.
1996—Subsec. (b)(1), (2)(A), (3). Pub. L. 104–208 substituted “Magnuson-Stevens Fishery” for “Magnuson Fishery” wherever appearing.
Subsec. (c)(3)(B). Pub. L. 104–324, § 1144, inserted “, except that the owner or operator may deviate from the
applicable response plan if the President or the Federal
On-Scene Coordinator determines that deviation from the
response plan would provide for a more expeditious or effective response to the spill or mitigation of its environmental effects” before period at end.
Subsec. (j)(2)(A). Pub. L. 104–324, § 1143(1), inserted “and
of information regarding previous spills, including data
from universities, research institutions, State governments,
and other nations, as appropriate, which shall be disseminated as appropriate to response groups and area
committees, and” after “paragraph (4),”.
Subsec. (j)(4)(C)(v). Pub. L. 104–324, § 1143(2), inserted
“compile a list of local scientists, both inside and outside Federal Government service, with expertise in the
environmental effects of spills of the types of oil typically transported in the area, who may be contacted to
provide information or, where appropriate, participate in
meetings of the scientific support team convened in response to a spill, and” before “describe”.
1992—Subsec. (b)(12). Pub. L. 102–388 added par. (12).
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 102–572 substituted “United States
Court of Federal Claims” for “United States Claims Court”.

§ 1321

TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

1990—Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 101–380, § 4201(b)(1)[(c)(1)],
inserted “containment and” after “refers to”.
Subsec. (a)(16). Pub. L. 101–380, § 4201(b)(2)[(c)(2)], substituted semicolon for period at end.
Subsec. (a)(17). Pub. L. 101–380, § 4201(b)(3)[(c)(3)], substituted “otherwise” for “Otherwise” and semicolon for
period at end.
Subsec. (a)(18) to (24). Pub. L. 101–380, § 4201(b)(4)[(c)(4)],
added pars. (18) to (24).
Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 101–380, § 4204, inserted “or the
environment” after “the public health or welfare”.
Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 101–380, § 4301(a), inserted after
first sentence “The Federal agency shall immediately
notify the appropriate State agency of any State which
is, or may reasonably be expected to be, affected by the
discharge of oil or a hazardous substance.”, substituted
“fined in accordance with title 18, United States Code, or
imprisoned for not more than 5 years, or both” for “fined
not more than $10,000, or imprisoned for not more than
one year, or both”, struck out “or information obtained
by the exploitation of such notification” before “shall
not be used”, and inserted “natural” before “person in
any”.
Subsec. (b)(6) to (11). Pub. L. 101–380, § 4301(b), added
pars. (6) to (11) and struck out former par. (6) which related to assessment of civil penalties, limited to $5,000
for each offense, against any owner, operator, or person
in charge of any onshore or offshore facility from which
oil or a hazardous substance was discharged in violation
of par. (3).
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101–380, § 4201(a), amended subsec.
(c) generally, substituting present provisions for provisions authorizing President to arrange for removal of
discharge of oil or a hazardous substance into or upon
the navigable waters of the U.S., unless he determined
such removal would be properly conducted by owner or
operator of the vessel causing discharge, and directed
President to prepare and publish a National Contingency
Plan within 60 days after October 18, 1972.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 101–380, § 4201(b), amended subsec.
(d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) read as
follows: “Whenever a marine disaster in or upon the navigable waters of the United States has created a substantial threat of a pollution hazard to the public health or
welfare of the United States, including, but not limited
to, fish, shellfish, and wildlife and the public and private
shorelines and beaches of the United States, because of a
discharge, or an imminent discharge, of large quantities
of oil, or of a hazardous substance from a vessel the
United States may (A) coordinate and direct all public
and private efforts directed at the removal or elimination of such threat; and (B) summarily remove, and, if
necessary, destroy such vessel by whatever means are
available without regard to any provisions of law governing the employment of personnel or the expenditure
of appropriated funds. Any expense incurred under this
subsection or under the Intervention on the High Seas
Act (or the convention defined in section 2(3) thereof)
shall be a cost incurred by the United States Government for the purposes of subsection (f) in the removal of
oil or hazardous substance.”
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 101–380, § 4306, amended subsec. (e)
generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (e) read as follows: “In addition to any other action taken by a State
or local government, when the President determines there
is an imminent and substantial threat to the public health
or welfare of the United States, including, but not limited to, fish, shellfish, and wildlife and public and private property, shorelines, and beaches within the United
States, because of an actual or threatened discharge of
oil or hazardous substance into or upon the navigable
waters of the United States from an onshore or offshore
facility, the President may require the United States attorney of the district in which the threat occurs to secure such relief as may be necessary to abate such threat,
and the district courts of the United States shall have
jurisdiction to grant such relief as the public interest
and the equities of the case may require.”

Page 52

Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 101–380, § 2002(b)(1), struck out par.
(1) designation before “In any case” and struck out pars.
(2) and (3) which read as follows:
“(2) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply
in any case where liability is established pursuant to
the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, or the Deepwater
Port Act of 1974.
“(3) Any amount paid in accordance with a judgment
of the United States Claims Court pursuant to this section shall be paid from the funds established pursuant to
subsection (k).”
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 101–380, § 4202(a), amended heading,
inserted heading for par. (1) and realigned its margin,
added pars. (2) to (8), and struck out former par. (2)
which read as follows: “Any owner or operator of a vessel
or an onshore facility or an offshore facility and any
other person subject to any regulation issued under paragraph (1) of this subsection who fails or refuses to comply with the provisions of any such regulations, shall be
liable to a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for each
such violation. This paragraph shall not apply to any
owner or operator of any vessel from which oil or a hazardous substance is discharged in violation of paragraph
(3)(ii) of subsection (b) unless such owner, operator, or
person in charge is otherwise subject to the jurisdiction
of the United States. Each violation shall be a separate
offense. The President may assess and compromise such
penalty. No penalty shall be assessed until the owner, operator, or other person charged shall have been given notice and an opportunity for a hearing on such charge. In
determining the amount of the penalty, or the amount
agreed upon in compromise, the gravity of the violation,
and the demonstrated good faith of the owner, operator,
or other person charged in attempting to achieve rapid
compliance, after notification of a violation, shall be
considered by the President.”
Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 101–380, § 2002(b)(2), struck out subsec. (k) which authorized appropriations and supplemental appropriations to create and maintain a revolving
fund to carry out subsecs. (c), (d), (i), and (l) of this section.
Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 101–380, § 2002(b)(3), struck out after
first sentence “Any moneys in the fund established by
subsection (k) of this section shall be available to such
Federal departments, agencies, and instrumentalities to
carry out the provisions of subsections (c) and (i) of this
section.”
Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 101–380, § 4305, amended subsec.
(m) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (m) read as
follows: “Anyone authorized by the President to enforce
the provisions of this section may, except as to public
vessels, (A) board and inspect any vessel upon the navigable waters of the United States or the waters of the
contiguous zone, (B) with or without a warrant arrest
any person who violates the provisions of this section or
any regulation issued thereunder in his presence or view,
and (C) execute any warrant or other process issued by
an officer or court of competent jurisdiction.”
Subsec. (o)(2). Pub. L. 101–380, § 4202(c), inserted “, or
with respect to any removal activities related to such
discharge” after “within such State”.
Subsec. (p). Pub. L. 101–380, § 2002(b)(4), struck out subsec. (p) which provided for establishment and maintenance of evidence of financial responsibility by vessels
over 300 gross tons carrying oil or hazardous substances.
Subsec. (s). Pub. L. 101–380, § 2002(b)(5), added subsec.
(s).
1987—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 100–4 substituted “the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands” for “the
Canal Zone”.
1982—Subsec. (i)(1), (3). Pub. L. 97–164 substituted “Claims
Court” for “Court of Claims”.
1980—Subsec. (b)(1), (2)(A), (3). Pub. L. 96–561 substituted “Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management
Act” for “Fishery Conservation and Management Act of
1976”.
Subsec. (b)(3)(A). Pub. L. 96–478 struck out “of oil” after “in the case of such discharges” and substituted
“Protocol of 1978 Relating to the International Conven-

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TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

tion for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973” for
“International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil, 1954, as amended”.
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 96–561 substituted “Magnuson
Fishery Conservation and Management Act” for “Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976”.
Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 96–483 designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).
1978—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 95–576, § 1(b)(1), excluded
discharges described in cls. (A) to (C) from term “discharge”.
Subsec. (a)(17). Pub. L. 95–576, § 1(b)(2), added par. (17).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 95–576, § 1(b)(3), substituted
requirement that a study be made respecting methods,
mechanisms, and procedures for creating incentives to
achieve higher standard of care in management and movement of hazardous substances, including consideration of
enumerated items, and a report made to Congress within
18 months after Nov. 2, 1978, for provisions concerning actual removability of any designated hazardous substance,
liability during two year period commencing Oct. 18, 1972
based on toxicity, degradability, and dispersal characteristics of the substance limited to $50,000 and without
limitation in cases of willful negligence or willful misconduct, liability after such two year period ranging from
$500 to $5,000 based on toxicity, etc., or liability for penalty determined by number of units discharged multiplied by amount established for the unit limited to $5,000,000
in the case of a discharge from a vessel and to $500,000
in the case of a discharge from onshore or offshore facility, establishment by regulation of a unit of measurement based upon the usual trade practice for each designated hazardous substance and establishment for such
unit a fixed monetary amount ranging from $100 to $1,000
based on toxicity, etc.
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 95–576, § 1(b)(4), substituted “such
quantities as may be harmful” for “harmful quantities”.
Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 95–576, § 1(b)(5), struck out “, to
be issued as soon as possible after October 18, 1972,” after “regulation” and substituted “substances” for “substance” and “discharge of which may be harmful” for
“discharge of which, at such times, locations, circumstances, and conditions, will be harmful”.
Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 95–576, § 1(b)(6), inserted “at the
time of the discharge” after “otherwise subject to the
jurisdiction of the United States”.
Subsec. (b)(6)(A) to (E). Pub. L. 95–576, § 1(b)(7), designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), inserted “at the
time of the discharge” after “jurisdiction of the United
States”, and added subpars. (B) to (E).
1977—Subsec. (a)(11). Pub. L. 95–217, § 58(k), inserted
“, and any facility of any kind which is subject to the
jurisdiction of the United States and is located in, on, or
under any other waters,” after “United States”.
Subsec. (a)(15), (16). Pub. L. 95–217, § 58(d)(1), added pars.
(15) and (16).
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 95–217, § 58(a)(1), inserted reference to activities under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands
Act or the Deepwater Port Act of 1974, or which may affect natural resources belonging to, appertaining to, or
under the exclusive management authority of the United
States (including resources under the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976).
Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 95–217, § 58(a)(2), inserted reference to activities under the Outer Continental Shelf
Lands Act or the Deepwater Port Act of 1974, or which
may affect natural resources belonging to, appertaining
to, or under the exclusive management authority of the
United States (including resources under the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976).
Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(v). Pub. L. 95–217, § 57, added cl. (v).
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 95–217, § 58(a)(3), (4), designated
part of existing provisions preceding cl. (A) as cl. (i) and
added cl. (ii), and, in cl. (A), inserted “or which may affect natural resources belonging to, appertaining to, or
under the exclusive management authority of the United
States (including resources under the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976)” after “waters of the
contiguous zone” and struck out “article IV of” before

§ 1321

“the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution of the Sea by Oil, 1954”.
Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 95–217, § 58(a)(5), struck out provisions under which, in the case of the discharge of oil
into or upon the waters of the contiguous zone, only
those discharges which threatened the fishery resources
of the contiguous zone or threatened to pollute or contribute to the pollution of the territory or the territorial
sea of the United States could be determined to be harmful.
Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 95–217, § 58(a)(6), added cls. (A),
(B), and (C) between “Any such person” and “who fails
to notify”.
Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 95–217, § 58(a)(7), (8), substituted
“Any owner, operator, or person in charge of any onshore
facility, or offshore facility” for “Any owner or operator
of any vessel, onshore facility, or offshore facility” in
provision relating to violations of par. (3) of this subsection, and inserted provisions directing the assessment
of a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 for each offense
by the Secretary of the department in which the Coast
Guard is operating to be assessed against any owner, operator, or person in charge of any vessel from which oil
or a hazardous substance is discharged in violation of
paragraph (3)(i) of this subsection, and any owner, operator, or person in charge of a vessel from which oil or a
hazardous substance is discharged in violation of paragraph (3)(ii) who is otherwise subject to the jurisdiction
of the United States.
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 95–217, § 58(b), (c)(1), inserted “or
there is a substantial threat of such discharge,” after
“Whenever any oil or a hazardous substance is discharged,”
and “or in connection with activities under the Outer
Continental Shelf Lands Act or the Deepwater Port Act
of 1974, or which may affect natural resources belonging
to, appertaining to, or under the exclusive management
authority of the United States (including resources under the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of
1976)” after “waters of the contiguous zone,”.
Subsec. (c)(2)(D). Pub. L. 95–217, § 58(e), substituted “and
imminent threats of such discharges to the appropriate
State and Federal agencies;” for “to the appropriate Federal agency;”.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 95–217, § 58(c)(2), inserted “or under
the Intervention on the High Seas Act (or the convention
defined in section 2(3) thereof)” after “Any expense incurred under this subsection”.
Subsec. (f)(1). Pub. L. 95–217, § 58(d)(2), substituted “, in
the case of an inland oil barge $125 per gross ton of such
barge, or $125,000, whichever is greater, and in the case of
any other vessel, $150 per gross ton of such vessel (or, for
a vessel carrying oil or hazardous substances as cargo,
$250,000), whichever is greater,” for “$100 per gross ton of
such vessel or $14,000,000, whichever is lesser,”.
Subsec. (f)(2), (3). Pub. L. 95–217, § 58(d)(5), (6), substituted “$50,000,000” for “$8,000,000”.
Subsec. (f)(4), (5). Pub. L. 95–217, § 58(g), added pars. (4)
and (5).
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 95–217, § 58(d)(3), (f), substituted
“, in the case of an inland oil barge $125 per gross ton of
such barge, or $125,000, whichever is greater, and in the
case of any other vessel, $150 per gross ton of such vessel
(or, for a vessel carrying oil or hazardous substances as
cargo, $250,000), whichever is greater” for “$100 per gross
ton of such vessel or $14,000,000, whichever is the lesser”
in the existing provisions and inserted provision under
which, where the owner or operator of a vessel (other
than an inland oil barge) carrying oil or hazardous substances as cargo or an onshore or offshore facility which
handles or stores oil or hazardous substances in bulk,
from which oil or a hazardous substance is discharged in
violation of subsec. (b) of this section, alleges that the
discharge was caused solely by an act or omission of a
third party, the owner or operator must pay to the United
States Government the actual costs incurred under subsec. (c) of this section for removal of the oil or substance
and shall be entitled by subrogation to all rights of the
United States Government to recover the costs from the
third party under this subsection.

§ 1321

TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

Subsec. (i)(2). Pub. L. 95–217, § 58(m), inserted reference
to the Deepwater Port Act of 1974.
Subsec. (j)(2). Pub. L. 95–217, § 58(c)(3), inserted provision that subsec. (j)(2) shall not apply to any owner or
operator of any vessel from which oil or a hazardous
substance is discharged in violation of subsec. (b)(3)(ii)
of this section unless the owner, operator, or person in
charge is otherwise subject to the jurisdiction of the
United States.
Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 95–217, § 58(l), substituted “such
sums as may be necessary to maintain such fund at a
level of $35,000,000” for “not to exceed $35,000,000”.
Subsec. (p)(1). Pub. L. 95–217, § 58(d)(4), substituted “, in
the case of an inland oil barge $125 per gross ton of such
barge, or $125,000, whichever is greater, and in the case of
any other vessel, $150 per gross ton of such vessel (or, for
a vessel carrying oil or hazardous substances as cargo,
$250,000), whichever is greater,” for “$100 per gross ton,
or $14,000,000 whichever is the lesser,”.
Subsecs. (q), (r). Pub. L. 95–217, § 58(i), added subsecs.
(q) and (r).
1973—Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 93–207, § 1(4)(A), (B), substituted “(b)(3)” for “(b)(2)” wherever appearing in pars. (1)
to (3), and substituted “Administrator” for “Secretary”
in last sentence of par. (2).
Subsecs. (g), (i). Pub. L. 93–207, § 1(4)(C), substituted
“(b)(3)” for “(b)(2)” wherever appearing.
Effective Date of 2012 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 112–141 effective Oct. 1, 2012, see
section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and
Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of Title 23, Highways.

Page 54

Transfer of Functions
For transfer of authorities, functions, personnel, and
assets of the Coast Guard, including the authorities and
functions of the Secretary of Transportation relating
thereto, to the Department of Homeland Security, and
for treatment of related references, see sections 468(b),
551(d), 552(d), and 557 of Title 6, Domestic Security, and
the Department of Homeland Security Reorganization
Plan of November 25, 2002, as modified, set out as a note
under section 542 of Title 6.
Enforcement functions of Administrator or other official of the Environmental Protection Agency under this
section relating to spill prevention, containment and countermeasure plans with respect to pre-construction, construction, and initial operation of transportation system
for Canadian and Alaskan natural gas were transferred
to the Federal Inspector, Office of Federal Inspector for
the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation System, until
the first anniversary of the date of initial operation of
the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation System, see Reorg. Plan No. 1 of 1979, §§ 102(a), 203(a), 44 F.R. 33663,
33666, 93 Stat. 1373, 1376, effective July 1, 1979, set out in
the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and
Employees. Office of Federal Inspector for the Alaska
Natural Gas Transportation System abolished and functions and authority vested in Inspector transferred to
Secretary of Energy by section 3012(b) of Pub. L. 102–486,
set out as an Abolition of Office of Federal Inspector
note under section 719e of Title 15, Commerce and Trade.
Functions and authority vested in Secretary of Energy
subsequently transferred to Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects by section 720d(f)
of Title 15.
Delegation of Functions

Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
Pub. L. 109–241, title IX, § 901(i)(2), July 11, 2006, 120
Stat. 564, provided in part that the amendment made by
section 901(i)(2) is effective Aug. 9, 2004.

For delegation of certain functions of President under
this section, see Ex. Ord. No. 12580, Jan. 23, 1987, 52 F.R.
2923, as amended, set out as a note under section 9615 of
Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

Effective Date of 1996 Amendment

Termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific
Islands

Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(a) [title II, § 211(b)],
Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009, 3009–41, provided that the
amendment made by that section is effective 15 days after Oct. 11, 1996.

For termination of Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, see note set out preceding section 1681 of Title 48,
Territories and Insular Possessions.

Effective Date of 1992 Amendment

Termination of United States District Court for
the District of the Canal Zone

Amendment by Pub. L. 102–572 effective Oct. 29, 1992,
see section 911 of Pub. L. 102–572, set out as a note under
section 171 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
Effective Date of 1990 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–380 applicable to incidents
occurring after Aug. 18, 1990, see section 1020 of Pub. L.
101–380, set out as an Effective Date note under section
2701 of this title.
Effective Date of 1982 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 97–164 effective Oct. 1, 1982, see
section 402 of Pub. L. 97–164, set out as a note under section 171 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial Procedure.
Effective Date of 1980 Amendments
Pub. L. 96–561, title II, § 238(b), Dec. 22, 1980, 94 Stat.
3300, provided that the amendment made by that section
is effective 15 days after Dec. 22, 1980.
Amendment by Pub. L. 96–478 effective Oct. 2, 1983, see
section 14(a) of Pub. L. 96–478, set out as an Effective
Date note under section 1901 of this title.
Effective Date of 1977 Amendment
Pub. L. 95–217, § 58(h), Dec. 27, 1977, 91 Stat. 1596, provided that: “The amendments made by paragraphs (5)
and (6) of subsection (d) of this section [amending this
section] shall take effect 180 days after the date of enactment of the Clean Water Act of 1977 [Dec. 27, 1977].”

For termination of the United States District Court for
the District of the Canal Zone at end of the “transition
period”, being the 30-month period beginning Oct. 1, 1979,
and ending midnight Mar. 31, 1982, see Paragraph 5 of
Article XI of the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977 and sections 2101 and 2201 to 2203 of Pub. L. 96–70, title II, Sept.
27, 1979, 93 Stat. 493, formerly classified to sections 3831
and 3841 to 3843, respectively, of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse.
Coast Guard Response Plan Requirements
Pub. L. 115–282, title VIII, § 823(a), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat.
4311, provided that:
“(1) In general.—For purposes of the Oil Pollution
Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.), the Commandant of
the Coast Guard may approve a vessel response plan under section 311 of the Federal Water Pollution Control
Act (33 U.S.C. 1321) for a vessel operating in any area covered by the Captain of the Port Zone (as established by
the Commandant) that includes the Arctic, if the Commandant verifies that—
“(A) equipment required to be available for response
under the plan has been tested and proven capable of
operating in the environmental conditions expected in
the area in which it is intended to be operated; and
“(B) the operators of such equipment have conducted
training on the equipment within the area covered by
such Captain of the Port Zone.
“(2) Post-approval requirements.—In approving a
vessel response plan under paragraph (1), the Commandant shall—

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TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

“(A) require that the oil spill removal organization
identified in the vessel response plan conduct regular
exercises and drills using the response resources identified in the plan in the area covered by the Captain of
the Port Zone that includes the Arctic; and
“(B) allow such oil spill removal organization to take
credit for a response to an actual spill or release in the
area covered by such Captain of the Port Zone, instead
of conducting an exercise or drill required under subparagraph (A), if the oil spill removal organization—
“(i) documents which exercise or drill requirements
were met during the response; and
“(ii) submits a request for credit to, and receives
approval from, the Commandant.”
Pub. L. 113–281, title III, § 317, Dec. 18, 2014, 128 Stat.
3050, provided that:
“(a) Vessel Response Plan Contents.—The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall require that each vessel response plan prepared for a mobile offshore drilling unit includes information from the facility response plan prepared for the
mobile offshore drilling unit regarding the planned response to a worst case discharge, and to a threat of such
a discharge.
“(b) Definitions.—In this section:
“(1) Mobile offshore drilling unit.—The term ‘mobile offshore drilling unit’ has the meaning given that
term in section 1001 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33
U.S.C. 2701).
“(2) Response plan.—The term ‘response plan’ means
a response plan prepared under section 311(j) of the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)).
“(3) Worst case discharge.—The term ‘worst case
discharge’ has the meaning given that term under section 311(a) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
(33 U.S.C. 1321(a)).
“(c) Rule of Construction.—Nothing in this section
shall be construed to require the Coast Guard to review
or approve a facility response plan for a mobile offshore
drilling unit.”
Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist
Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the
Gulf Coast States
Pub. L. 112–141, div. A, title I, subtitle F, July 6, 2012,
126 Stat. 588, provided that:
“SEC. 1601. SHORT TITLE.
“This subtitle may be cited as the ‘Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012’.
“SEC. 1602. GULF COAST RESTORATION TRUST FUND.
“(a) Establishment.—There is established in the Treasury of the United States a trust fund to be known as the
‘Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund’ (referred to in this
section as the ‘Trust Fund’), consisting of such amounts
as are deposited in the Trust Fund under this Act [probably means this subtitle] or any other provision of law.
“(b) Transfers.—The Secretary of the Treasury shall
deposit in the Trust Fund an amount equal to 80 percent
of all administrative and civil penalties paid by responsible parties after the date of enactment of this Act
[July 6, 2012] in connection with the explosion on, and
sinking of, the mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater
Horizon pursuant to a court order, negotiated settlement,
or other instrument in accordance with section 311 of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321).
“(c) Expenditures.—Amounts in the Trust Fund, including interest earned on advances to the Trust Fund
and proceeds from investment under subsection (d), shall—
“(1) be available for expenditure, without further appropriation, solely for the purpose and eligible activities of this subtitle and the amendments made by this
subtitle [amending this section]; and
“(2) remain available until expended, without fiscal
year limitation.
“(d) Investment.—Amounts in the Trust Fund shall
be invested in accordance with section 9702 of title 31,
United States Code, and any interest on, and proceeds

§ 1321

from, any such investment shall be available for expenditure in accordance with this subtitle and the amendments made by this subtitle.
“(e) Administration.—Not later than 180 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, after providing notice
and an opportunity for public comment, the Secretary of
the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of the
Interior and the Secretary of Commerce, shall establish
such procedures as the Secretary determines to be necessary to deposit amounts in, and expend amounts from,
the Trust Fund pursuant to this subtitle, including—
“(1) procedures to assess whether the programs and
activities carried out under this subtitle and the amendments made by this subtitle achieve compliance with
applicable requirements, including procedures by which
the Secretary of the Treasury may determine whether
an expenditure by a Gulf Coast State or coastal political subdivision (as those terms are defined in section
311 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C.
1321)) pursuant to such a program or activity achieves
compliance;
“(2) auditing requirements to ensure that amounts
in the Trust Fund are expended as intended; and
“(3) procedures for identification and allocation of
funds available to the Secretary under other provisions
of law that may be necessary to pay the administrative expenses directly attributable to the management
of the Trust Fund.
“(f) Sunset.—The authority for the Trust Fund shall
terminate on the date all funds in the Trust Fund have
been expended.
“SEC. 1603. GULF COAST NATURAL RESOURCES RESTORATION AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY.
“[Amended this section.]
“SEC. 1604. GULF COAST ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION
SCIENCE, OBSERVATION, MONITORING, AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM.
“(a) Definitions.—In this section:
“(1) Administrator.—The term ‘Administrator’ means
the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
“(2) Commission.—The term ‘Commission’ means the
Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission.
“(3) Director.—The term ‘Director’ means the Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
“(4) Program.—The term ‘program’ means the Gulf
Coast Ecosystem Restoration Science, Observation, Monitoring, and Technology program established under this
section.
“(b) Establishment of Program.—
“(1) In general.—Not later than 180 days after the
date of enactment of this Act [July 6, 2012], the Administrator, in consultation with the Director, shall
establish the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Science,
Observation, Monitoring, and Technology program to
carry out research, observation, and monitoring to support, to the maximum extent practicable, the long-term
sustainability of the ecosystem, fish stocks, fish habitat, and the recreational, commercial, and charter fishing industry in the Gulf of Mexico.
“(2) Expenditure of funds.—For each fiscal year,
amounts made available to carry out this subsection
may be expended for, with respect to the Gulf of Mexico—
“(A) marine and estuarine research;
“(B) marine and estuarine ecosystem monitoring
and ocean observation;
“(C) data collection and stock assessments;
“(D) pilot programs for—
“(i) fishery independent data; and
“(ii) reduction of exploitation of spawning aggregations; and
“(E) cooperative research.
“(3) Cooperation with the commission.—For each
fiscal year, amounts made available to carry out this
subsection may be transferred to the Commission to
establish a fisheries monitoring and research program,
with respect to the Gulf of Mexico.
“(4) Consultation.—The Administrator and the Director shall consult with the Regional Gulf of Mexico

§ 1321

TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

Fishery Management Council and the Commission in
carrying out the program.
“(c) Species Included.—The research, monitoring,
assessment, and programs eligible for amounts made available under the program shall include all marine, estuarine, aquaculture, and fish species in State and Federal
waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
“(d) Research Priorities.—In distributing funding
under this subsection, priority shall be given to integrated, long-term projects that—
“(1) build on, or are coordinated with, related research activities; and
“(2) address current or anticipated marine ecosystem, fishery, or wildlife management information needs.
“(e) Duplication.—In carrying out this section, the
Administrator, in consultation with the Director, shall
seek to avoid duplication of other research and monitoring activities.
“(f) Coordination With Other Programs.—The Administrator, in consultation with the Director, shall develop a plan for the coordination of projects and activities between the program and other existing Federal and
State science and technology programs in the States of
Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, as
well as between the centers of excellence.
“(g) Limitation on Expenditures.—
“(1) In general.—Not more than 3 percent of funds
provided in subsection (h) shall be used for administrative expenses.
“(2) NOAA.—The funds provided in subsection (h) may
not be used—
“(A) for any existing or planned research led by
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, unless agreed to in writing by the grant recipient;
“(B) to implement existing regulations or initiate
new regulations promulgated or proposed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; or
“(C) to develop or approve a new limited access
privilege program (as that term is used in section
303A of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation
and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1853a)) for any fishery under the jurisdiction of the South Atlantic, MidAtlantic, New England, or Gulf of Mexico Fishery
Management Councils.
“(h) Funding.—Of the total amount made available for
each fiscal year for the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust
Fund established under section 1602, 2.5 percent shall be
available to carry out the program.
“(i) Sunset.—The program shall cease operations when
all funds in the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund established under section 1602 have been expended.
“SEC. 1605. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE RESEARCH
GRANTS.
“(a) In General.—Of the total amount made available
for each fiscal year from the Gulf Coast Restoration
Trust Fund established under section 1602, 2.5 percent
shall be made available to the Gulf Coast States (as defined in section 311(a) of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act [33 U.S.C. 1321(a)] (as added by section 1603 of
the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist
Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast
States Act of 2012)), in equal shares, exclusively for grants
in accordance with subsection (c) to establish centers of
excellence to conduct research only on the Gulf Coast
Region (as defined in section 311 of the Federal Water
Pollution Control Act (33. [sic] U.S.C. 1321)).
“(b) Approval by State Entity, Task Force, or
Agency.—The duties of a Gulf Coast State under this
section shall be carried out by the applicable Gulf Coast
State entities, task forces, or agencies listed in section
311(t)(1)(F) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act
(as added by section 1603 of the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived
Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act of 2012), and for
the State of Florida, a consortium of public and private
research institutions within the State, which shall include the Florida Department of Environmental Protec-

Page 56

tion and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, for that Gulf Coast State.
“(c) Grants.—
“(1) In general.—A Gulf Coast State shall use the
amounts made available to carry out this section to
award competitive grants to nongovernmental entities
and consortia in the Gulf Coast region (including public and private institutions of higher education) for the
establishment of centers of excellence as described in
subsection (d).
“(2) Application.—To be eligible to receive a grant
under this subsection, an entity or consortium described
in paragraph (1) shall submit to a Gulf Coast State an
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Gulf Coast State determines to be appropriate.
“(3) Priority.—In awarding grants under this subsection, a Gulf Coast State shall give priority to entities and consortia that demonstrate the ability to establish the broadest cross-section of participants with
interest and expertise in any discipline described in
subsection (d) on which the proposal of the center of
excellence will be focused.
“(4) Reporting.—
“(A) In general.—Each Gulf Coast State shall
provide annually to the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council established under section 311(t)(2)(C)
of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act [31 U.S.C.
1321(t)(2)(C)] (as added by section 1603 of the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast
States Act of 2012) information regarding all grants,
including the amount, discipline or disciplines, and
recipients of the grants, and in the case of any grant
awarded to a consortium, the membership of the consortium.
“(B) Inclusion.—The Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council shall include the information received under subparagraph (A) in the annual report
to Congress of the Council required under section
311(t)(2)(C)(vii)(VII) of the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act (as added by section 1603 of the Resources
and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States
Act of 2012).
“(d) Disciplines.—Each center of excellence shall focus on science, technology, and monitoring in at least 1
of the following disciplines:
“(1) Coastal and deltaic sustainability, restoration
and protection, including solutions and technology that
allow citizens to live in a safe and sustainable manner
in a coastal delta in the Gulf Coast Region.
“(2) Coastal fisheries and wildlife ecosystem research
and monitoring in the Gulf Coast Region.
“(3) Offshore energy development, including research
and technology to improve the sustainable and safe development of energy resources in the Gulf of Mexico.
“(4) Sustainable and resilient growth, economic and
commercial development in the Gulf Coast Region.
“(5) Comprehensive observation, monitoring, and mapping of the Gulf of Mexico.
“SEC. 1606. EFFECT.
“(a) Definition of Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.—
In this section, the term ‘Deepwater Horizon oil spill’
has the meaning given the term in section 311(a) of the
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(a)).
“(b) Effect and Application.—Nothing in this subtitle or any amendment made by this subtitle—
“(1) supersedes or otherwise affects any other provision of Federal law, including, in particular, laws providing recovery for injury to natural resources under
the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2701 et seq.) and
laws for the protection of public health and the environment; or
“(2) applies to any fine collected under section 311 of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321)
for any incident other than the Deepwater Horizon oil
spill.

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TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

“(c) Use of Funds.—Funds made available under this
subtitle may be used only for eligible activities specifically authorized by this subtitle and the amendments
made by this subtitle.
“SEC. 1607. RESTORATION AND PROTECTION ACTIVITY LIMITATIONS.
“(a) Willing Seller.—Funds made available under this
subtitle may only be used to acquire land or interests in
land by purchase, exchange, or donation from a willing
seller.
“(b) Acquisition of Federal Land.—None of the funds
made available under this subtitle may be used to acquire land in fee title by the Federal Government unless—
“(1) the land is acquired by exchange or donation; or
“(2) the acquisition is necessary for the restoration
and protection of the natural resources, ecosystems,
fisheries, marine and wildlife habitats, beaches, and
coastal wetlands of the Gulf Coast region and has the
concurrence of the Governor of the State in which the
acquisition will take place.
“SEC. 1608. INSPECTOR GENERAL.
“The Office of the Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury shall have authority to conduct,
supervise, and coordinate audits and investigations of
projects, programs, and activities funded under this subtitle and the amendments made by this subtitle.”
Rulemakings
Pub. L. 111–281, title VII, § 701(a), (b), Oct. 15, 2010, 124
Stat. 2980, provided that:
“(a) Status Report.—
“(1) In general.—Not later than 90 days after the
date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 15, 2010], the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is
operating shall provide a report to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and
the House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on the status of all Coast
Guard rulemakings required or otherwise being developed (but for which no final rule has been issued as of
the date of enactment of this Act) under section 311 of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321).
“(2) Information required.—The Secretary shall
include in the report required in paragraph (1)—
“(A) a detailed explanation with respect to each
such rulemaking as to—
“(i) what steps have been completed;
“(ii) what areas remain to be addressed; and
“(iii) the cause of any delays; and
“(B) the date by which a final rule may reasonably
be expected to be issued.
“(b) Final Rules.—The Secretary shall issue a final
rule in each pending rulemaking described in subsection
(a) as soon as practicable, but in no event later than 18
months after the date of enactment of this Act.”

§ 1321

and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives on the immunity from criminal and civil
penalties provided under existing law of a private responder (other than a responsible party) in the case of
the incidental take of federally listed fish or wildlife
that results from, but is not the purpose of, carrying out
an otherwise lawful activity conducted by that responder
during an oil spill removal activity where the responder
was acting in a manner consistent with the National
Contingency Plan or as otherwise directed by the Federal On-Scene Coordinator for the spill, and on the circumstances under which such penalties have been or could
be imposed on a private responder. The report shall take
into consideration the procedures under the Inter-Agency
Memorandum for addressing incidental takes.
“(b) Definitions.—In this section—
“(1) the term ‘Federal On-Scene Coordinator’ has the
meaning given that term in section 311 of the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321);
“(2) the term ‘incidental take’ has the meaning given
that term in the Inter-Agency Memorandum;
“(3) the term ‘Inter-Agency Memorandum’ means the
Inter-Agency Memorandum of Agreement Regarding Oil
Spill Planning and Response Activities under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act’s National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan and the
Endangered Species Act [of 1973, 16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.],
effective on July 22, 2001;
“(4) the terms ‘National Contingency Plan’, ‘removal’,
and ‘responsible party’ have the meanings given those
terms under section 1001 of the Oil Pollution Act of
1990 (33 U.S.C. 2701); and
“(5) the term ‘private responder’ means a nongovernmental entity or individual that is carrying out an oil
spill removal activity at the direction of a Federal
agency or a responsible party.”
Oil Spill Liability Under Oil Pollution Act of 1990
Pub. L. 101–380, title II, § 2002(a), Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat.
507, provided that: “Subsections (f), (g), (h), and (i) of
section 311 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33
U.S.C. 1321) shall not apply with respect to any incident
for which liability is established under section 1002 of
this Act [33 U.S.C. 2702].”
Transfer of Moneys to Oil Spill Liability Trust
Fund
Pub. L. 101–380, title II, § 2002(b)(2), Aug. 18, 1990, 104
Stat. 507, provided that: “Subsection (k) [of this section]
is repealed. Any amounts remaining in the revolving fund
established under that subsection shall be deposited in
the [Oil Spill Liability Trust] Fund. The Fund shall assume all liability incurred by the revolving fund established under that subsection.”
Revision of National Contingency Plan

Implementation Date for Vessel Response Plans
for Nontank Vessels
Pub. L. 108–293, title VII, § 701(c), Aug. 9, 2004, 118 Stat.
1068, provided that: “No later than one year after the
date of enactment of this Act [Aug. 9, 2004], the owner or
operator of a nontank vessel (as defined [sic] section
311(j)(9) [311(a)(26)] of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1321(j)(9) [1321(a)(26)], as amended by
this section) shall prepare and submit a vessel response
plan for such vessel.”
Report on Oil Spill Responder Immunity
Pub. L. 107–295, title IV, § 440, Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat.
2130, provided that:
“(a) Report to Congress.—Not later than January 1,
2004, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast
Guard is operating, jointly with the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of the Interior, and after consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental
Protection Agency and the Attorney General, shall submit a report to the Committee on Commerce, Science,

Pub. L. 101–380, title IV, § 4201(c)[(d)], Aug. 18, 1990, 104
Stat. 527, provided that: “Not later than one year after
the date of the enactment of this Act [Aug. 18, 1990], the
President shall revise and republish the National Contingency Plan prepared under section 311(c)(2) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act [33 U.S.C. 1321(c)(2)] (as
in effect immediately before the date of the enactment
of this Act) to implement the amendments made by this
section and section 4202 [amending this section].”
[For delegation of functions of President under section
4201(c) of Pub. L. 101–380, set out above, see Ex. Ord. No.
12580, Jan. 23, 1987, 52 F.R. 2923, as amended, set out as a
note under section 9615 of Title 42, The Public Health and
Welfare.]
Implementation of National Planning and
Response System
Pub. L. 101–380, title IV, § 4202(b), Aug. 18, 1990, 104 Stat.
531, provided that:
“(1) Area committees and contingency plans.—(A)
Not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment

§ 1321

TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

of this Act [Aug. 18, 1990], the President shall designate
the areas for which Area Committees are established under section 311(j)(4) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act [33 U.S.C. 1321(j)(4)], as amended by this Act. In
designating such areas, the President shall ensure that
all navigable waters, adjoining shorelines, and waters of
the exclusive economic zone are subject to an Area Contingency Plan under that section.
“(B) Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, each Area Committee established
under that section shall submit to the President the
Area Contingency Plan required under that section.
“(C) Not later than 24 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the President shall—
“(i) promptly review each plan;
“(ii) require amendments to any plan that does not
meet the requirements of section 311(j)(4) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act; and
“(iii) approve each plan that meets the requirements
of that section.
“(2) National response unit.—Not later than one year
after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating shall establish a National Response Unit in accordance with section 311(j)(2) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended by this Act.
“(3) Coast guard district response groups.—Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this
Act, the Secretary of the department in which the Coast
Guard is operating shall establish Coast Guard District
Response Groups in accordance with section 311(j)(3) of
the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended by
this Act.
“(4) Tank vessel and facility response plans; transition provision; effective date of prohibition.—(A)
Not later than 24 months after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the President shall issue regulations for tank
vessel and facility response plans under section 311(j)(5)
of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended
by this Act.
“(B) During the period beginning 30 months after the
date of the enactment of this paragraph [Aug. 18, 1990]
and ending 36 months after that date of enactment, a
tank vessel or facility for which a response plan is required to be prepared under section 311(j)(5) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended by this
Act, may not handle, store, or transport oil unless the
owner or operator thereof has submitted such a plan to
the President.
“(C) Subparagraph (E) of section 311(j)(5) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as amended by this
Act, shall take effect 36 months after the date of the enactment of this Act.”
Deposit of Certain Penalties Into Oil Spill
Liability Trust Fund
Penalties paid pursuant to this section and sections
1319(c) and 1501 et seq. of this title to be deposited in the
Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund created under section 9509
of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code, see section 4304 of
Pub. L. 101–380, set out as a note under section 9509 of
Title 26.
Allowable Delay in Establishing Financial Responsibility for Increase in Amounts Under 1977
Amendment
Pub. L. 95–217, § 58(j), Dec. 27, 1977, 91 Stat. 1596, provided that: “No vessel subject to the increased amounts
which result from the amendments made by subsections
(d)(2), (d)(3), and (d)(4) of this section [amending this
section] shall be required to establish any evidence of
financial responsibility under section 311(p) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act [subsec. (p) of this section] for such increased amounts before October 1, 1978.”
Territorial Sea and Contiguous Zone of United
States
For extension of territorial sea and contiguous zone of
United States, see Proc. No. 5928 and Proc. No. 7219, re-

Page 58

spectively, set out as notes under section 1331 of Title 43,
Public Lands.
Executive Order No. 11735
Ex. Ord. No. 11735, Aug. 3, 1973, 38 F.R. 21243, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 12418, May 5, 1983, 48 F.R. 20891, which
assigned functions of the President regarding water pollution, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 12777, § 8(i), Oct. 18,
1991, 56 F.R. 54769, set out below.
Executive Order No. 12418
Ex. Ord. No. 12418, May 5, 1983, 48 F.R. 20891, which
transferred certain functions relating to the financial
responsibility of vessels for water pollution and established authority of Federal agencies to respond to discharges or substantial threats of discharges of oil and
hazardous substances, was revoked by Ex. Ord. No. 12777,
§ 8(i), Oct. 18, 1991, 56 F.R. 54769, set out below.
Ex. Ord. No. 12777. Implementation of This Section
and Oil Pollution Act of 1990
Ex. Ord. No. 12777, Oct. 18, 1991, 56 F.R. 54757, as amended by Ex. Ord. No. 13286, § 34, Feb. 28, 2003, 68 F.R. 10625;
Ex. Ord. No. 13638, § 1, Mar. 15, 2013, 78 F.R. 17589, provided:
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America,
including Section 311 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, (“FWPCA”) (33 U.S.C. 1321), as amended by the
Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (Public Law 101–380) (“OPA”),
and by Section 301 of Title 3 of the United States Code, it
is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. National Contingency Plan, Area Committees,
and Area Contingency Plans. (a) [Amended Ex. Ord. No.
12580, set out as a note under section 9615 of Title 42, The
Public Health and Welfare.]
(b) The functions vested in the President by Section
311(j)(4) of FWPCA, and Section 4202(b)(1) of OPA [set out
as a note above], respecting the designation of Areas,
the appointment of Area Committee members, the requiring of information to be included in Area Contingency Plans, and the review and approval of Area Contingency Plans are delegated to the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency (“Administrator”) for
the inland zone and the Secretary of the Department in
which the Coast Guard is operating for the coastal zone
(inland and coastal zones are defined in the NCP).
Sec. 2. National Response System. (a) The functions vested in the President by Section 311(j)(1)(A) of FWPCA, respecting the establishment of methods and procedures
for the removal of discharged oil and hazardous substances, and by Section 311(j)(1)(B) of FWPCA respecting
the establishment of criteria for the development and
implementation of local and regional oil and hazardous
substance removal contingency plans, are delegated to
the Administrator for the inland zone and the Secretary
of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating for the coastal zone.
(b)(1) The functions vested in the President by Section
311(j)(1)(C) of FWPCA, respecting the establishment of
procedures, methods, and equipment and other requirements for equipment to prevent and to contain discharges
of oil and hazardous substances from non-transportationrelated onshore facilities, are delegated to the Administrator.
(2) The functions vested in the President by Section
311(j)(1)(C) of FWPCA, respecting the establishment of
procedures, methods, and equipment and other requirements for equipment to prevent and to contain discharges
of oil and hazardous substances from vessels and transportation-related onshore facilities and deepwater ports
subject to the Deepwater Ports [Port] Act of 1974 (“DPA”)
[33 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.], are delegated to the Secretary of
Transportation and the Secretary of the Department in
which the Coast Guard is operating.
(3) The functions vested in the President by Section
311(j)(1)(C) of FWPCA, respecting the establishment of
procedures, methods, and equipment and other requirements for equipment to prevent and to contain discharges

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TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

of oil and hazardous substances from offshore facilities,
including associated pipelines, other than deepwater ports
subject to the DPA, are delegated to the Secretary of the
Interior.
(c) The functions vested in the President by Section
311(j)(1)(D) of FWPCA, respecting the inspection of vessels carrying cargoes of oil and hazardous substances
and the inspection of such cargoes, are delegated to the
Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard
is operating.
(d)(1) The functions vested in the President by Section
311(j)(5) of FWPCA and Section 4202(b)(4) of OPA [set out
as a note above], respecting the issuance of regulations
requiring the owners or operators of non-transportationrelated onshore facilities to prepare and submit response
plans, the approval of means to ensure the availability
of private personnel and equipment, the review and approval of such response plans, and the authorization of
non-transportation-related onshore facilities to operate
without approved response plans, are delegated to the
Administrator.
(2) The functions vested in the President by Section
311(j)(5) of FWPCA and Section 4202(b)(4) of OPA, respecting the issuance of regulations requiring the owners or
operators of tank vessels, transportation-related onshore
facilities and deepwater ports subject to the DPA, to prepare and submit response plans, the approval of means
to ensure the availability of private personnel and equipment, the review and approval of such response plans,
and the authorization of tank vessels, transportation-related onshore facilities and deepwater ports subject to
the DPA to operate without approved response plans, are
delegated to the Secretary of Transportation and the
Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard
is operating.
(3) The functions vested in the President by Section
311(j)(5) of FWPCA and Section 4202(b)(4) of OPA, respecting the issuance of regulations requiring the owners or
operators of offshore facilities, including associated pipelines, other than deepwater ports subject to the DPA, to
prepare and submit response plans, the approval of means
to ensure the availability of private personnel and equipment, the review and approval of such response plans,
and the authorization of offshore facilities, including associated pipelines, other than deepwater ports subject to
the DPA, to operate without approved response plans, are
delegated to the Secretary of the Interior.
(e)(1) The functions vested in the President by Section
311(j)(6)(A) of FWPCA, respecting the requirements for
periodic inspections of containment booms and equipment used to remove discharges at non-transportationrelated onshore facilities, are delegated to the Administrator.
(2) The functions vested in the President by Section
311(j)(6)(A) of FWPCA, respecting the requirements for
periodic inspections of containment booms and equipment used to remove discharges on vessels, and at transportation-related onshore facilities and deepwater ports
subject to the DPA, are delegated to the Secretary of the
Department in which the Coast Guard is operating.
(3) The functions vested in the President by Section
311(j)(6)(A) of FWPCA, respecting the requirements for
periodic inspections of containment booms and equipment used to remove discharges at offshore facilities, including associated pipelines, other than deepwater ports
subject to the DPA, are delegated to the Secretary of the
Interior.
(f) The functions vested in the President by Section
311(j)(6)(B) of FWPCA, respecting requirements for vessels to carry appropriate removal equipment, are delegated to the Secretary of the Department in which the
Coast Guard is operating.
(g)(1) The functions vested in the President by Section
311(j)(7) of FWPCA, respecting periodic drills of removal
capability under relevant response plans for onshore and
offshore facilities located in the inland zone, and the
publishing of annual reports on those drills, are delegated to the Administrator.

§ 1321

(2) The functions vested in the President by Section
311(j)(7) of FWPCA, respecting periodic drills of removal
capability under relevant response plans for tank vessels,
and for onshore and offshore facilities located in the coastal zone, and the publishing of annual reports on those
drills, are delegated to the Secretary of the Department
in which the Coast Guard is operating.
(h) No provision of Section 2 of this order, including,
but not limited to, any delegation or assignment of any
function hereunder, shall in any way affect, or be construed or interpreted to affect the authority of any Department or agency, or the head of any Department or
agency under any provision of law other than Section
311(j) of FWPCA or Section 4202(b)(4) of OPA.
(i) The functions vested in the President by Section
311(j) of FWPCA or Section 4202(b)(4) of OPA which have
been delegated or assigned by Section 2 of this order
may be redelegated to the head of any Executive department or agency with his or her consent.
Sec. 3. Removal. The functions vested in the President
by Section 311(c) of FWPCA and Section 1011 of OPA [33
U.S.C. 2711], respecting an effective and immediate removal or arrangement for removal of a discharge and
mitigation or prevention of a substantial threat of a discharge of oil or a hazardous substance, the direction and
monitoring of all Federal, State and private actions, the
removal and destruction of a vessel, the issuance of directions, consulting with affected trustees, and removal
completion determinations, are delegated to the Administrator for the inland zone and to the Secretary of the
Department in which the Coast Guard is operating for
the coastal zone.
Sec. 4. Liability Limit Adjustment. (a)(1) The following
functions vested in the President by section 1004(d) of
OPA are delegated to the Secretary of the department in
which the Coast Guard is operating, acting in consultation with the Administrator, the Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Attorney
General:
(A) the adjustment of the limits of liability listed in
section 1004(a) of OPA for vessels, onshore facilities,
and deepwater ports subject to the DPA, to reflect significant increases in the Consumer Price Index;
(B) the establishment of limits of liability under section 1004(d)(1), with respect to classes or categories of
marine transportation-related onshore facilities, and
the adjustment of any such limits of liability established under section 1004(d)(1), and of any limits of liability established under section 1004(d)(2) with respect
to deepwater ports subject to the DPA, to reflect significant increases in the Consumer Price Index; and
(C) the reporting to Congress on the desirability of
adjusting limits of liability, with respect to vessels,
marine transportation-related onshore facilities, and
deepwater ports subject to the DPA.
(2) The Administrator and the Secretary of Transportation will provide necessary regulatory analysis support to ensure timely regulatory Consumer Price Index
adjustments by the Secretary of the department in which
the Coast Guard is operating of the limits of liability
listed in section 1004(a) of OPA for onshore facilities under subparagraph (a)(1)(A) of this section.
(b) The following functions vested in the President by
section 1004(d) of OPA are delegated to the Administrator, acting in consultation with the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, the
Secretary of Transportation, the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of Energy, and the Attorney General:
(1) the establishment of limits of liability under section 1004(d)(1), with respect to classes or categories of
non-transportation-related onshore facilities, and the adjustment of any such limits of liability established under section 1004(d)(1) by the Administrator to reflect significant increases in the Consumer Price Index; and
(2) the reporting to Congress on the desirability of adjusting limits of liability with respect to non-transportation-related onshore facilities.
(c) The following functions vested in the President by
section 1004(d) of OPA are delegated to the Secretary of

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TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

Transportation, acting in consultation with the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, the Administrator, the Secretary of the Interior,
and the Attorney General:
(1) the establishment of limits of liability under section 1004(d)(1), with respect to classes or categories of
non-marine transportation-related onshore facilities, and
the adjustment of any such limits of liability established under section 1004(d)(1) by the Secretary of Transportation to reflect significant increases in the Consumer Price Index; and
(2) the reporting to Congress on the desirability of adjusting limits of liability, with respect to non-marine
transportation-related onshore facilities.
(d) The following functions vested in the President by
section 1004(d) of OPA are delegated to the Secretary of
the Interior, acting in consultation with the Secretary of
the department in which the Coast Guard is operating,
the Administrator, the Secretary of Transportation, and
the Attorney General:
(1) the adjustment of limits of liability to reflect significant increases in the Consumer Price Index with respect to offshore facilities, including associated pipelines,
other than deepwater ports subject to the DPA; and
(2) the reporting to Congress on the desirability of adjusting limits of liability with respect to offshore facilities, including associated pipelines, other than deepwater ports subject to the DPA.
Sec. 5. Financial Responsibility. (a)(1) The functions vested in the President by Section 1016(e) of OPA [33 U.S.C.
2716(e)], respecting (in the case of offshore facilities other
than deepwater ports) the issuance of regulations concerning financial responsibility, the determination of acceptable methods of financial responsibility, and the specification of necessary or unacceptable terms, conditions, or
defenses, are delegated to the Secretary of the Interior.
(2) The functions vested in the President by Section
1016(e) of OPA, respecting (in the case of deepwater ports)
the issuance of regulations concerning financial responsibility, the determination of acceptable methods of financial responsibility, and the specification of necessary
or unacceptable terms, conditions, or defenses, are delegated to the Secretary of the Department in which the
Coast Guard is operating.
(b)(1) The functions vested in the President by Section
4303 of OPA [33 U.S.C. 2716a], respecting (in cases involving vessels) the assessment of civil penalties, the compromising, modification or remission, with or without condition, and the referral for collection of such imposed penalties, and requests to the Attorney General to secure
necessary judicial relief, are delegated to the Secretary
of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating.
(2) The functions vested in the President by Section
4303 of OPA, respecting (in cases involving offshore facilities other than deepwater ports) the assessment of
civil penalties, the compromising, modification or remission, with or without condition, and the referral for collection of such imposed penalties, and requests to the
Attorney General to secure necessary judicial relief, are
delegated to the Secretary of the Interior.
(3) The functions vested in the President by Section
4303 of OPA, respecting (in cases involving deepwater ports)
the assessment of civil penalties, the compromising, modification or remission, with or without condition, and the
referral for collection of such imposed penalties, and requests to the Attorney General to secure necessary judicial relief, are delegated to the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating.
Sec. 6. Enforcement. (a) The functions vested in the
President by Section 311(m)(1) of FWPCA, respecting the
enforcement of Section 311 with respect to vessels, are
delegated to the Secretary of the Department in which
the Coast Guard is operating.
(b) The functions vested in the President by Section
311(e) of FWPCA, respecting determinations of imminent
and substantial threat, requesting the Attorney General
to secure judicial relief, and other action including issuing administrative orders, are delegated to the Administrator for the inland zone and to the Secretary of the

Page 60

Department in which the Coast Guard is operating for
the coastal zone.
Sec. 7. Management of the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund
and Claims. (a)(1)(A) The functions vested in the President by Section 1012(a)(1), (3), and (4) of OPA [33 U.S.C.
2712(a)(1), (3), (4)] respecting payment of removal costs
and claims and determining consistency with the National Contingency Plan (NCP) are delegated to the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating.
(B) The functions vested in the President by Section
6002(b) of the OPA [33 U.S.C. 2752(b)] respecting making
amounts, not to exceed $50,000,000 and subject to normal
budget controls, in any fiscal year, available from the
Fund (i) to carry out Section 311(c) of FWPCA, and (ii)
to initiate the assessment of natural resources damages
required under Section 1006 of OPA [33 U.S.C. 2706] are
delegated to the Secretary of the Department in which
the Coast Guard is operating. Such Secretary shall make
amounts available from the Fund to initiate the assessment of natural resources damages exclusively to the
Federal trustees designated in the NCP. Such Federal
trustees shall allocate such amounts among all trustees
required to assess natural resources damages under Section 1006 of OPA.
(2) The functions vested in the President by Section
1012(a)(2) of OPA [33 U.S.C. 2712(a)(2)], respecting the payment of costs and determining consistency with the NCP,
are delegated to the Federal trustees designated in the
NCP.
(3) The functions vested in the President by Section
1012(a)(5) of OPA, respecting the payment of costs and
expenses of departments and agencies having responsibility for the implementation, administration, and enforcement of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 and subsections (b), (c), (d), (j) and (l) of Section 311 of FWPCA, are
delegated to each head of such department and agency.
(b) The functions vested in the President by Section
1012(c) of OPA, respecting designation of Federal officials who may obligate money, are delegated to each
head of the departments and agencies to whom functions
have been delegated under section 7(a) of this order for
the purpose of carrying out such functions.
(c)(1) The functions vested in the President by Section
1012(d) and (e) of OPA, respecting the obligation of the
Trust Fund on the request of a Governor or pursuant to
an agreement with a State, entrance into agreements with
States, agreement upon terms and conditions, and the promulgation of regulations concerning such obligation and
entrance into such agreement, are delegated to the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating, in consultation with the Administrator.
(2) The functions vested in the President by Section
1013(e) of OPA [33 U.S.C. 2713(e)], respecting the promulgation and amendment of regulations for the presentation, filing, processing, settlement, and adjudication of
claims under OPA against the Trust Fund, are delegated
to the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast
Guard is operating, in consultation with the Attorney
General.
(3) The functions vested in the President by Section
1012(a) of OPA, respecting the payment of costs, damages, and claims, delegated herein to the Secretary of
the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating,
include, inter alia, the authority to process, settle, and
administratively adjudicate such costs, damages, and
claims, regardless of amount.
(d)(1) The Coast Guard is designated the “appropriate
agency” for the purpose of receiving the notice of discharge of oil or hazardous substances required by Section
311(b)(5) of FWPCA, and the Secretary of the Department
in which the Coast Guard is operating is authorized to issue regulations implementing this designation.
(2) The functions vested in the President by Section
1014 of OPA [33 U.S.C. 2714], respecting designation of
sources of discharges or threats, notification to responsible parties, promulgation of regulations respecting advertisements, the advertisement of designation, and notification of claims procedures, are delegated to the Sec-

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TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

retary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is
operating.
Sec. 8. Miscellaneous. (a) The functions vested in the
President by Section 311(b)(3) and (4) of FWPCA, as amended by the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, respecting the determination of quantities of oil and any hazardous substances the discharge of which may be harmful to the
public health or welfare or the environment and the determinations of quantities, time, locations, circumstances,
or conditions, which are not harmful, are delegated to
the Administrator.
(b) The functions vested in the President by Section
311(d)(2)(G) of FWPCA, respecting schedules of dispersant, chemical, and other spill mitigating devices or substances, are delegated to the Administrator.
(c) The functions vested in the President by Section
1006(b)(3) and (4) of OPA [33 U.S.C. 2706(b)(3), (4)] respecting the receipt of designations of State and Indian tribe
trustees for natural resources are delegated to the Administrator.
(d) The function vested in the President by Section
3004 of OPA [104 Stat. 508], with respect to encouraging
the development of an international inventory of equipment and personnel, is delegated to the Secretary of the
Department in which the Coast Guard is operating, in
consultation with the Secretary of State.
(e) The functions vested in the President by Section
4113 of OPA [104 Stat. 516], respecting a study on the use
of liners or other secondary means of containment for
onshore facilities, and the implementation of the recommendations of the study, are delegated to the Administrator.
(f) The function vested in the President by Section
5002(c)(2)(D) of OPA [33 U.S.C. 2732(c)(2)(D)], respecting
the designating of an employee of the Federal Government who shall represent the Federal Government on the
Oil Terminal Facilities and Oil Tanker Operations Associations, is delegated to the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard is operating.
(g) The functions vested in the President by Section
5002(o) of OPA, respecting the annual certification of alternative voluntary advisory groups, are delegated to the
Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard
is operating.
(h) The function vested in the President by Section
7001(a)(3) of OPA [33 U.S.C. 2761(a)(3)], respecting the appointment of Federal agencies to membership on the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Oil Pollution Research,
is delegated to the Secretary of the Department in which
the Coast Guard is operating.
(i) Executive Order No. 11735 of August 3, 1973, Executive Order No. 12123 of February 26, 1979, Executive Order
No. 12418 of May 5, 1983 and the memorandum of August
24, 1990, delegating certain authorities of the President
under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 are revoked.
Sec. 9. Consultation. Authorities and functions delegated or assigned by this order shall be exercised subject to
consultation with the Secretaries of departments and
the heads of agencies with statutory responsibilities which
may be significantly affected, including, but not limited
to, the Department of Justice.
Sec. 10. Litigation. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this order, any representation pursuant to or
under this order in any judicial proceedings shall be by
or through the Attorney General. The conduct and control of all litigation arising under the Oil Pollution Act
of 1990 [see Short Title note set out under section 2701 of
this title] shall be the responsibility of the Attorney
General.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this order,
the authority under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to require the Attorney General to commence litigation is retained by the President.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this order,
the Secretaries of the Departments of Transportation,
Commerce, Interior, Agriculture, the Secretary of the
Department in which the Coast Guard is operating, and/
or the Administrator of the Environmental Protection

§ 1321

Agency may request that the Attorney General commence
litigation under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990.
(d) The Attorney General, in his discretion, is authorized to require that, with respect to a particular oil
spill, an agency refrain from taking administrative enforcement action without first consulting with the Attorney General.
Ex. Ord. No. 13626. Gulf Coast Ecosystem
Restoration
Ex. Ord. No. 13626, Sept. 10, 2012, 77 F.R. 56749, provided:
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America,
including section 311 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) (33 U.S.C. 1321), section 1006 of the Oil
Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. 2706), and section 301 of
title 3, United States Code, it is hereby ordered as follows:
Section 1. Policy. Executive Order 13554 of October 5,
2010, was issued after the blowout and explosion of the
mobile offshore drilling unit Deepwater Horizon that occurred on April 20, 2010, and resulted in the largest oil
spill in U.S. history (Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill). Executive Order 13554 recognized the Gulf Coast as a national
treasure and addressed the longstanding ecological decline of that region, which was compounded by the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. In doing so, Executive Order
13554 established a Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration
Task Force (Task Force) to coordinate intergovernmental efforts, planning, and the exchange of information in
order to better implement Gulf Coast ecosystem restoration and facilitate appropriate accountability and support throughout the restoration process.
Since the implementation of Executive Order 13554, the
Federal Government’s Gulf Coast ecosystem restoration
planning efforts have advanced significantly. The Task
Force’s Gulf of Mexico Regional Ecosystem Restoration
Strategy (Strategy), created with input from Federal,
State, tribal, and local governments, and thousands of
involved citizens and organizations across the region, serves
as a comprehensive restoration plan for addressing ecological concerns in the Gulf of Mexico. In light of the
release of the Strategy, the ongoing work of the Natural
Resource Damage Trustee Council (Trustee Council) under the Oil Pollution Act, and the recent passage of the
Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast
States Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act) (title I, subtitle F of
Public Law 112–141), this order affirms the Federal Government’s Gulf Coast ecosystem restoration efforts and
realigns responsibilities to ensure the most effective governmental planning and coordination to reach these goals.
Sec. 2. Termination of the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force. The progress of the Task Force is noteworthy. It has completed the Strategy and the preliminary planning and coordination tasks that it was intended to produce and has significantly advanced important
ecosystem restoration goals for the Gulf of Mexico. In
light of the recent creation, described below, of the Gulf
Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (Gulf Restoration
Council), which will build upon the Task Force’s already
successful collaboration between Federal, State, and tribal governments and, as directed by statute, include and
incorporate in its proposed comprehensive plan the findings and information prepared by the Task Force, the
Task Force shall terminate no later than 60 days after
the Gulf Restoration Council commences its work. The
functions of the Task Force will be performed by the
Gulf Restoration Council and the Trustee Council to the
extent practicable, as set forth in this order. Prior to its
termination, the Task Force will provide such assistance as is appropriate to the Gulf Restoration Council.
Sec. 3. The Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund and the
Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council.
(a) Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund. The RESTORE
Act, which was signed into law as part of the Moving
Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (Public Law
112–141), established a mechanism for providing funding
to the Gulf region to restore ecosystems and rebuild lo-

§ 1321a

TITLE 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS

cal economies damaged by the Deepwater Horizon Oil
Spill. The RESTORE Act established in the Treasury of
the United States the Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund
(Trust Fund), consisting of 80 percent of an amount equal
to any administrative and civil penalties paid after the
date of the RESTORE Act by the responsible parties in
connection with the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill to the
United States pursuant to a court order, negotiated settlement, or other instrument in accordance with section
311 of the FWPCA (33 U.S.C. 1321).
(b) Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council. The RESTORE Act established the Gulf Restoration Council, an
independent entity charged with developing a comprehensive plan for ecosystem restoration in the Gulf Coast
(Comprehensive Plan), as well as any future revisions to
the Comprehensive Plan. Among its other duties, the Gulf
Restoration Council is tasked with identifying projects
and programs aimed at restoring and protecting the natural resources and ecosystems of the Gulf Coast region,
to be funded from a portion of the Trust Fund; establishing such other advisory committees as may be necessary to assist the Gulf Restoration Council, including
a scientific advisory committee and a committee to advise the Gulf Restoration Council on public policy issues; gathering information relevant to Gulf Coast restoration, including through research, modeling, and monitoring; and providing an annual report to the Congress
on implementation progress. Consistent with the RESTORE
Act, the Comprehensive Plan developed by the Gulf Restoration Council will include provisions necessary to fully incorporate the Strategy, projects, and programs recommended by the Task Force.
(c) Federal members of the Gulf Restoration Council
and Trustee Council, as well as all Federal entities involved in Gulf Coast restoration, shall work closely with
one another to advance their common goals, reduce duplication, and maximize consistency among their efforts.
All Federal members are directed to consult with each
other and with all non-federal members in carrying out
their duties on the Gulf Restoration Council.
Sec. 4. Ongoing Role of the Natural Resource Damage
Assessment Trustee Council. (a) Executive Order 13554 recognized the role of the Trustee Council, and designated
trustees as provided in 33 U.S.C. 2706, with trusteeship
over natural resources injured, lost, or destroyed as a result of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. Specifically, Executive Order 13554 recognized the importance of carefully coordinating the work of the Task Force with the
Trustee Council, whose members have statutory responsibility to assess natural resources damages from the
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, to restore trust resources,
and seek compensation for lost use of those trust resources. Section 3(b) of Executive Order 13554 instructed
the Task Force to “support the Natural Resource Damage Assessment process by referring potential ecosystem restoration actions to the * * * Trustee Council for
consideration and facilitating coordination among the
relevant departments, agencies, and offices, as appropriate, subject to the independent statutory responsibilities
of the trustees.” The Department of Commerce (through
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration),
the Department of the Interior (through the Fish and
Wildlife Service and the National Park Service), and the
Department of Justice have worked to identify linkages
and opportunities for the Task Force to complement the
restoration progress of the Trustee Council.
(b) Section 7(e) of Executive Order 13554 provides that
nothing in that order shall interfere with the statutory
responsibilities and authority of the Trustee Council or
the individual trustees to carry out their statutory responsibilities to assess natural resource damages and implement restoration actions under 33 U.S.C. 2706 and other
applicable law. Agencies that were members of the Task
Force shall continue to comply with these requirements.
Sec. 5. Designating Trustees for Natural Resource Damage Assessment. Given their authorities, programs, and
expertise, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) have institutional capacities that can contribute significantly to the

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Natural Resource Damage Assessment and restoration
efforts, including scientific and policy expertise as well
as experience gained in the Task Force process and other
planning efforts in the Gulf area. In addition, EPA’s and
USDA’s relevant authorities cover a range of natural resources and their supporting ecosystems, including waters,
sediments, barrier islands, wetlands, soils, land management, air resources, and drinking water supplies. The inclusion of EPA and USDA as trustees participating in
the Natural Resource Damage Assessment and restoration efforts will maximize coordination across the Federal Government and enhance overall efficiencies regarding Gulf Coast ecosystem restoration. Accordingly, without limiting the designations in Executive Order 12777 of
October 18, 1991, or any other existing designations, and
pursuant to section 2706(b)(2) of title 33, United States
Code, I hereby designate the Administrator of EPA and
the Secretary of Agriculture as additional trustees for
Natural Resource Damage Assessment and restoration
solely in connection with injury to, destruction of, loss
of, or loss of use of natural resources, including their
supporting ecosystems, resulting from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. The addition of these Federal trustees
does not, in and of itself, alter any existing agreements
among or between the trustees and any other entity. All
Federal trustees are directed to consult, coordinate, and
cooperate with each other in carrying out all of their
trustee duties and responsibilities.
The Administrator of EPA is hereby directed to revise
Subpart G of the National Oil and Hazardous Substances
Pollution Contingency Plan to reflect the designations for
the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill discussed in this section.
Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order
shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to a department or
agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Trustee Council, or those of
the Director of the Office of Management and Budget,
relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with
applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create
any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United
States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers,
employees, or agents, or any other person.
(d) Executive Order 13554 of October 5, 2010, is hereby
revoked concurrent with the termination of the Task Force
under the terms described in section 2 of this order.
Barack Obama.

§ 1321a. Prevention of small oil spills
(a) Prevention and education program
The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans
and Atmosphere, in consultation with the Secretary of the Department in which the Coast Guard
is operating and other appropriate agencies, shall
establish an oil spill prevention and education program for small vessels. The program shall provide for assessment, outreach, and training and
voluntary compliance activities to prevent and improve the effective response to oil spills from vessels and facilities not required to prepare a vessel
response plan under the Federal Water Pollution
Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.), including recreational vessels, commercial fishing vessels, marinas, and aquaculture facilities. The Under Secretary may provide grants to sea grant colleges
and institutes designated under section 1126 of
this title and to State agencies, tribal governments, and other appropriate entities to carry out—
(1) regional assessments to quantify the source,
incidence and volume of small oil spills, focusing initially on regions in the country where, in