Us Code § 70031 - Definitions
Full text of Us Code United States Code § 70031 — Definitions, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 70031. Definitions
As used in subchapters I through III and this subchapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) The term "marine environment" means—
(A) the navigable waters of the United States and the land and resources therein and thereunder;
(B) the waters and fishery resources of any area over which the United States asserts exclusive fishery management authority;
(C) the seabed and subsoil of the Outer Continental Shelf of the United States, the resources thereof, and the waters superjacent thereto; and
(D) the recreational, economic, and scenic values of such waters and resources.
(2) The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, except that such term means the Secretary of Transportation with respect to the application of this chapter to the Saint Lawrence Seaway.
(3) The term "navigable waters of the United States" includes all waters of the territorial sea of the United States as described in Presidential Proclamation No. 5928 of December 27, 1988.
(Added Pub. L. 115–282, title IV, §401(a), Dec. 4, 2018, 132 Stat. 4261; amended Pub. L. 116–283, div. G, title LVXXXV [LXXXV], §8507(a)(4), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4753.)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Presidential Proclamation No. 5928, referred to in par. (3), is set out under section 1331 of Title 43, Public Lands.
Amendments
2021—Pub. L. 116–283 substituted "I through III" for "A through C" in introductory provisions.
About This Section
46 U.S.C. § 70031 is part of Title 46 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.
This section may be cited in legal writing as 46 U.S.C. § 70031. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.
How to Read This Statute
Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.
Using This Page
This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.