§ 476. — Restrictions on tanker traffic in Puget Sound and adjacent waters.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 33USC476]
TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS
CHAPTER 10--ANCHORAGE GROUNDS AND HARBOR REGULATIONS GENERALLY
Sec. 476. Restrictions on tanker traffic in Puget Sound and
adjacent waters
(a) The Congress finds that--
(1) the navigable waters of Puget Sound in the State of
Washington, and the natural resources therein, are a fragile and
important national asset;
(2) Puget Sound and the shore area immediately adjacent thereto
is threatened by increased domestic and international traffic of
tankers carrying crude oil in bulk which increases the possibility
of vessel collisions and oil spills; and
(3) it is necessary to restrict such tanker traffic in Puget
Sound in order to protect the navigable waters thereof, the natural
resources therein, and the shore area immediately adjacent thereto,
from environmental harm.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, on and after October
18, 1977, no officer, employee, or other official of the Federal
Government shall, or shall have authority to, issue, renew, grant, or
otherwise approve any permit, license, or other authority for
constructing, renovating, modifying, or otherwise altering a terminal,
dock, or other facility in, on, or immediately adjacent to, or affecting
the navigable waters of Puget Sound, or any other navigable waters in
the State of Washington east of Port Angeles, which will or may result
in any increase in the volume of crude oil capable of being handled at
any such facility (measured as of October 18, 1977), other than oil to
be refined for consumption in the State of Washington.
(Pub. L. 95-136, Sec. 5, Oct. 18, 1977, 91 Stat. 1168.)