Us Code § 8635 - Establishment of the Southern Sea Otter Military Readiness Areas

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 8635 — Establishment of the Southern Sea Otter Military Readiness Areas, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 8635. Establishment of the Southern Sea Otter Military Readiness Areas

(a) Establishment.—The Secretary of the Navy shall establish areas, to be known as "Southern Sea Otter Military Readiness Areas", for national defense purposes. Such areas shall include each of the following:

(1) The area that includes Naval Base Ventura County, San Nicolas Island, and Begg Rock and the adjacent and surrounding waters within the following coordinates:


N. Latitude/W. Longitude

33°27.8′/119°34.3′

33°20.5′/119°15.5′

33°13.5′/119°11.8′

33°06.5′/119°15.3′

33°02.8′/119°26.8′

33°08.8′/119°46.3′

33°17.2′/119°56.9′

33°30.9′/119°54.2′.


(2) The area that includes Naval Base Coronado, San Clemente Island and the adjacent and surrounding waters running parallel to shore to 3 nautical miles from the high tide line designated by part 165 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, on May 20, 2010, as the San Clemente Island 3NM Safety Zone.


(b) Activities Within the Southern Sea Otter Military Readiness Areas.—

(1) Incidental takings under endangered species act of 1973.—Sections 4 and 9 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533, 1538) shall not apply with respect to the incidental taking of any southern sea otter in the Southern Sea Otter Military Readiness Areas in the course of conducting a military readiness activity.

(2) Incidental takings under marine mammal protection act of 1972.—Sections 101 and 102 of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1371, 1372) shall not apply with respect to the incidental taking of any southern sea otter in the Southern Sea Otter Military Readiness Areas in the course of conducting a military readiness activity.

(3) Treatment as species proposed to be listed.—For purposes of conducting a military readiness activity, any southern sea otter while within the Southern Sea Otter Military Readiness Areas shall be treated for the purposes of section 7 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1536) as a member of a species that is proposed to be listed as an endangered species or a threatened species under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1533).


(c) Removal.—Nothing in this section or any other Federal law shall be construed to require that any southern sea otter located within the Southern Sea Otter Military Readiness Areas be removed from the Areas.

(d) Revision or Termination of Exceptions.—The Secretary of the Interior may revise or terminate the application of subsection (b) if the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of the Navy, determines that military activities occurring in the Southern Sea Otter Military Readiness Areas are impeding the southern sea otter conservation or the return of southern sea otters to optimum sustainable population levels.

(e) Monitoring.—

(1) In general.—The Secretary of the Navy shall conduct monitoring and research within the Southern Sea Otter Military Readiness Areas to determine the effects of military readiness activities on the growth or decline of the southern sea otter population and on the near-shore ecosystem. Monitoring and research parameters and methods shall be determined in consultation with the Service.

(2) Reports.—Not later than November 25, 2017, and every three years thereafter, the Secretary of the Navy shall report to Congress and the public on monitoring undertaken pursuant to paragraph (1).


(f) Definitions.—In this section:

(1) Southern sea otter.—The term "southern sea otter" means any member of the subspecies Enhydra lutris nereis.

(2) Take.—The term "take"—

(A) when used in reference to activities subject to regulation by the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), shall have the meaning given such term in that Act; and

(B) when used in reference to activities subject to regulation by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.) shall have the meaning given such term in that Act.


(3) Incidental taking.—The term "incidental taking" means any take of a southern sea otter that is incidental to, and not the purpose of, the carrying out of an otherwise lawful activity.

(4) Military readiness activity.—The term "military readiness activity" has the meaning given that term in section 315(f) of the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003 (16 U.S.C. 703 note) and includes all training and operations of the armed forces that relate to combat and the adequate and realistic testing of military equipment, vehicles, weapons, and sensors for proper operation and suitability for combat use.

(5) Optimum sustainable population.—The term "optimum sustainable population" means, with respect to any population stock, the number of animals that will result in the maximum productivity of the population or the species, keeping in mind the carrying capacity of the habitat and the health of the ecosystem of which they form a constituent element.

(Added Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title III, §312(a), Nov. 25, 2015, 129 Stat. 787, §7235; amended Pub. L. 115–91, div. A, title X, §1081(a)(50), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1597; renumbered §8635, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(1), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1836.)


Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Endangered Species Act of 1973, referred to in subsec. (f)(2)(A), is Pub. L. 93–205, Dec. 28, 1973, 87 Stat. 884, which is classified principally to chapter 35 (§1531 et seq.) of Title 16, Conservation. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1531 of Title 16 and Tables.

The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, referred to in subsec. (f)(2)(B), is Pub. L. 92–522, Oct. 21, 1972, 86 Stat. 1027, which is classified generally to chapter 31 (§1361 et seq.) of Title 16, Conservation. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1361 of Title 16 and Tables.

Section 315 of the Bob Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003, referred to in subsec. (f)(4), is section 315 of Pub. L. 107–314, which is set out as a note under section 703 of Title 16, Conservation.

Prior Provisions

A prior section 8635, act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 532, set forth restrictions on civilian employment for enlisted members of Air Force on active duty, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 90–235, §6(a)(7), Jan. 2, 1968, 81 Stat. 762.

A prior section 8639 was renumbered section 9239 of this title.

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7235 of this title as this section.

2017—Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 115–91 substituted "November 25, 2017," for "24 months after the date of the enactment of this section".


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 115–232 effective Feb. 1, 2019, with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.

CHAPTER 863—NAVAL VESSELS

Sec.
8661.
Classification.
8662.
Naming.
8663.
Number in service in time of peace.
8664.
Suspension of construction in case of treaty.
8667.
Changing category or type: limitations.
8669.
Contracts: applicability of chapter 65 of title 41.
8669a.
Construction of combatant and escort vessels and assignment of vessel projects.
8669b.
Senior Technical Authority for each naval vessel class.
8669c.
Assessments required prior to start of construction on first ship of a shipbuilding program.
8670.
Contracts for nuclear ships: sales of naval shipyard articles and services to private shipyards.
8671.
Determination of vessel delivery dates.
8673.
Model basin; investigation of hull designs.
8674.
Examination of vessels; striking of vessels from Naval Vessel Register.
8675.
Vessels stricken from Naval Vessel Register: sale.
8675a.
Vessels stricken from Naval Vessel Register: contracts for dismantling on net-cost basis.
8676.
Vessels stricken from Naval Vessel Register; captured vessels: conveyance by donation.
8676a.
Vessels stricken from Naval Vessel Register: use for experimental purposes.
8676b.
Vessels stricken from Naval Vessel Register: transfer by gift or otherwise for use as artificial reefs.
8677.
Disposals to foreign nations.
8678.
Chief of Naval Operations: certification required for disposal of combatant vessels.
8678a.
Limitation on decommissioning or inactivating a battle force ship before the end of expected service life.
8679.
Construction of vessels in foreign shipyards: prohibition.
8680.
Overhaul, repair, etc. of vessels in foreign shipyards: restrictions.
8681.
Repair or maintenance of naval vessels: handling of hazardous waste.
8682.
Service craft stricken from Naval Vessel Register; obsolete boats: use of proceeds from exchange or sale.
8683.
Ship overhaul work: availability of appropriations for unusual cost overruns and for changes in scope of work.
8684.
Overhaul of naval vessels: competition between public and private shipyards.
[8684a.
Omitted.]
8685.
Preservation of Navy shipbuilding capability.
8686.
Support for transfers of decommissioned vessels and shipboard equipment.
8687.
Status of Government rights in the designs of vessels, boats, and craft, and components thereof.
8688.
Warranty requirements for shipbuilding contracts.
[8688a.
Omitted.]
8689.
Requirements for availability of funds relating to advanced naval nuclear fuel systems based on low-enriched uranium.
8690.
Limitation on length of overseas forward deployment of naval vessels.
8691.
Nuclear-powered aircraft carriers: dismantlement and disposal.
8692.
Ford-class aircraft carriers: cost limitation baselines.
8693.
Biennial report on shipbuilder training and the defense industrial base.
8694.
Annual report on ship maintenance.
8695.
Navy battle force ship assessment and requirement reporting.
8696.
Navy shipbuilding workforce development special incentive.
8697.
Battle force ship employment, maintenance, and manning baseline plans.

        

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2023—Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title XVIII, §1801(a)(39), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 685, renumbered item 8696 "Battle force ship employment, maintenance, and manning baseline plans" as 8697. Amendment was made pursuant to operation of section 102 of this title.

2022—Pub. L. 117–263, div. A, title I, §122(b), title X, §1026(b), Dec. 23, 2022, 136 Stat. 2443, 2767, added two items 8696.

2021—Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title X, §§1013(b), 1014(b), 1015(a), 1016(b), 1017(b), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 1893–1895, 1897, added items 8669c, 8678a, 8694, and 8695, and redesignated item 8692 "Biennial report on shipbuilder training and the defense industrial base" as 8693.

Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, §1876(d), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4291, which added items 8684a and 8688a to the analysis of this chapter effective Jan. 1, 2022, was repealed by Pub. L. 117–81, div. A, title XVII, §1701(n)(3), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2146.

Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title X, §1026(b), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3844, added item 8692 "Biennial report on shipbuilder training and the defense industrial base".

2019—Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title I, §121(b), title X, §1034(b), Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 1234, 1583, added item 8669b and item 8692 "Ford-class aircraft carriers: cost limitation baselines".

2018—Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(e)(4), (f)(1), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1838, redesignated chapter 633 of this title as this chapter and items 7291 to 7294, 7297, 7299 to 7301, and 7303 to 7321 as 8661 to 8664, 8667, 8669 to 8671, and 8673 to 8691, respectively.

Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title III, §323(a)(2), title X, §§1015(b)(2), 1016(b), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1720, 1949, 1951, added items 7320 and 7321 and struck out item 7295 "Vessels: under-age".

Pub. L. 115–91, div. C, title XXXI, §3115(b)(2), Dec. 12, 2017, 131 Stat. 1887, added item 7319.

2016—Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title X, §1022(a)(2), (b), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2388, added item 7318, effective on the later of the date of enactment of the National Defense Authorization for Fiscal Year 2018 or Sept. 30, 2017.

Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title I, §121(a)(2), Dec. 23, 2016, 130 Stat. 2030, added item 7301.

2013—Pub. L. 113–66, div. A, title X, §1022(e)(2), Dec. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 846, substituted "Vessels stricken from Naval Vessel Register; captured vessels: conveyance by donation" for "Vessels stricken from Naval Vessel Register; captured vessels: transfer by gift or otherwise" in item 7306.

2011—Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title X, §1061(27)(B), Dec. 31, 2011, 125 Stat. 1584, struck out item 7296 "Combatant surface vessels: notice before reduction in number; preservation of surge capability".

Pub. L. 111–350, §5(b)(51), Jan. 4, 2011, 124 Stat. 3846, substituted "chapter 65 of title 41" for "Walsh-Healey Act" in item 7299.

2009—Pub. L. 111–84, div. A, title X, §1073(a)(30), Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2474, inserted period after "thereof" in item 7317.

2008—Pub. L. 110–417, [div. A], title VIII, §825(b), Oct. 14, 2008, 122 Stat. 4534, added item 7317.

2004—Pub. L. 108–375, div. A, title X, §§1011(b), 1012(a)(2), Oct. 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 2039, 2040, added items 7305a and 7312.

2003—Pub. L. 108–136, div. A, title X, §§1013(b), 1015(b), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1591, 1592, added items 7306b and 7316.

2002—Pub. L. 107–314, div. A, title X, §1021(b)(2), Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2639, added item 7296.

1999—Pub. L. 106–65, div. A, title X, §1016(b), Oct. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 744, added item 7300.

1997—Pub. L. 105–85, div. A, title X, §1027(a)(2), Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 1879, added item 7315.

1996—Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title VIII, §815(b), Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat. 396, added item 7299.

1994—Pub. L. 103–355, title II, §2001(j)(3)(A), title III, §§3023(b), 3024(b), Oct. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 3303, 3333, 3334, struck out items 7299 "Contracts: application of Public Contracts Act", 7302 "Construction on Pacific Coast", and 7312 "Repair or maintenance of naval vessels: progress payments under certain contracts".

1993—Pub. L. 103–160, div. A, title VIII, §828(a)(7), (c)(7), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1713, 1714, struck out items 7296 "Appropriations: available for other purposes", 7298 "Conversion of combatants and auxiliaries", and 7301 "Bids on construction: estimates required", substituted "Examination of vessels; striking of vessels" for "Examination by board: unfit vessel stricken" in item 7304, "Vessels stricken from Naval Vessel Register: sale" for "Sale of vessel stricken from Naval Vessel Register" in item 7305, and "Vessels stricken from Naval Vessel Register; captured vessels: transfer by gift or otherwise" for "Use for experimental purposes" in item 7306, added item 7306a, substituted "Disposals to foreign nations" for "Restriction on disposal" in item 7307, "Chief of Naval Operations: certification required for disposal of combatant vessels" for "Transfer or gift of obsolete, condemned, or captured vessels" in item 7308, "Construction of vessels in foreign shipyards: prohibition" for "Restrictions on construction or repair of vessels in foreign shipyards" in item 7309, and "Overhaul, repair, etc. of vessels in foreign shipyards: restrictions" for "Policy in constructing combatant vessels" in item 7310.

1989—Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title XVI, §1622(a), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1604, redesignated item 7313 "Overhaul of naval vessels: competition between public and private shipyards" as 7314.

1988—Pub. L. 100–456, div. A, title XII, §§1224(b)(2), 1225(a)(2), Sept. 29, 1988, 102 Stat. 2054, 2055, substituted "Restrictions on construction or repair" for "Restriction on construction" in item 7309 and added item 7313 "Overhaul of naval vessels: competition between public and private shipyards".

Pub. L. 100–370, §1(n)(2), July 19, 1988, 102 Stat. 850, added item 7313 "Ship overhaul work: availability of appropriations for unusual cost overruns and for changes in scope of work".

1987—Pub. L. 100–180, div. A, title XI, §1102(a)(2), Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1145, added item 7312.

1986—Pub. L. 99–661, div. A, title XII, §1202(b), Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3968, added item 7311.

1985—Pub. L. 99–145, title XIII, §1303(a)(24)(B), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 740, struck out "naval" before "vessels" in item 7309.

1982—Pub. L. 97–295, §1(48)(B), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1298, added item 7299a.

Pub. L. 97–295, §1(49)(B), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1299, added item 7310.

Pub. L. 97–252, title XI, §1127(b), Sept. 8, 1982, 96 Stat. 759, added item 7309.

1981—Pub. L. 97–86, title IX, §911(b)(2), Dec. 1, 1981, 95 Stat. 1122, struck out item 7300 "Contracts for construction: profit limitation".

About This Section

10 U.S.C. § 8635 is part of Title 10 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 10 U.S.C. § 8635. 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.

Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 8635

What does United States Code § 8635 cover?

Section 8635 ("Establishment of the Southern Sea Otter Military Readiness Areas") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 8635?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 8635" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 8635 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.