[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 43USC1332]
TITLE 43--PUBLIC LANDS
CHAPTER 29--SUBMERGED LANDS
SUBCHAPTER III--OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF LANDS
Sec. 1332. Congressional declaration of policy
It is hereby declared to be the policy of the United States that--
(1) the subsoil and seabed of the outer Continental Shelf
appertain to the United States and are subject to its jurisdiction,
control, and power of disposition as provided in this subchapter;
(2) this subchapter shall be construed in such a manner that the
character of the waters above the outer Continental Shelf as high
seas and the right to navigation and fishing therein shall not be
affected;
(3) the outer Continental Shelf is a vital national resource
reserve held by the Federal Government for the public, which should
be made available for expeditious and orderly development, subject
to environmental safeguards, in a manner which is consistent with
the maintenance of competition and other national needs;
(4) since exploration, development, and production of the
minerals of the outer Continental Shelf will have significant
impacts on coastal and non-coastal areas of the coastal States, and
on other affected States, and, in recognition of the national
interest in the effective management of the marine, coastal, and
human environments--
(A) such States and their affected local governments may
require assistance in protecting their coastal zones and other
affected areas from any temporary or permanent adverse effects
of such impacts;
(B) the distribution of a portion of the receipts from the
leasing of mineral resources of the outer Continental Shelf
adjacent to State lands, as provided under section 1337(g) of
this title, will provide affected coastal States and localities
with funds which may be used for the mitigation of adverse
economic and environmental effects related to the development of
such resources; and
(C) such States, and through such States, affected local
governments, are entitled to an opportunity to participat
