§ 1312. — Seaward boundaries of States.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 43USC1312]
TITLE 43--PUBLIC LANDS
CHAPTER 29--SUBMERGED LANDS
SUBCHAPTER II--LANDS BENEATH NAVIGABLE WATERS WITHIN STATE BOUNDARIES
Sec. 1312. Seaward boundaries of States
The seaward boundary of each original coastal State is approved and
confirmed as a line three geographical miles distant from its coast line
or, in the case of the Great Lakes, to the international boundary. Any
State admitted subsequent to the formation of the Union which has not
already done so may extend its seaward boundaries to a line three
geographical miles distant from its coast line, or to the international
boundaries of the United States in the Great Lakes or any other body of
water traversed by such boundaries. Any claim heretofore or hereafter
asserted either by constitutional provision, statute, or otherwise,
indicating the intent of a State so to extend its boundaries is approved
and confirmed, without prejudice to its claim, if any it has, that its
boundaries extend beyond that line. Nothing in this section is to be
construed as questioning or in any manner prejudicing the existence of
any State's seaward boundary beyond three geographical miles if it was
so provided by its constitution or laws prior to or at the time such
State became a member of the Union, or if it has been heretofore
approved by Congress.
(May 22, 1953, ch. 65, title II, Sec. 4, 67 Stat. 31.)
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in section 1301 of this title.
