Title 33Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-73

§2716a Financial responsibility civil penalties

Title 33 › Chapter CHAPTER 40— - OIL POLLUTION › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - OIL POLLUTION LIABILITY AND COMPENSATION › § 2716a

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

If a person is given notice, a chance for a hearing, and then is found not to follow section 2716 or its rules, they can be fined up to $25,000 for each day they break the rule. The President sends a written notice saying how much is owed. The President must look at things like how bad the violation was, who was at fault, any past violations, and ability to pay. The President can reduce, change, or cancel a penalty. If a final penalty is not paid, the President can ask the Attorney General to collect it. Instead of or in addition to a fine, the President can ask the Attorney General to go to court to force compliance, including asking a judge to stop operations. U.S. district courts can order whatever relief the public interest and fairness require.

Full Legal Text

Title 33, §2716a

Navigation and Navigable Waters — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Any person who, after notice and an opportunity for a hearing, is found to have failed to comply with the requirements of section 2716 of this title or the regulations issued under that section, or with a denial or detention order issued under subsection (b)(2) of that section, shall be liable to the United States for a civil penalty, not to exceed $25,000 per day of violation. The amount of the civil penalty shall be assessed by the President by written notice. In determining the amount of the penalty, the President shall take into account the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation, the degree of culpability, any history of prior violation, ability to pay, and such other matters as justice may require. The President may compromise, modify, or remit, with or without conditions, any civil penalty which is subject to imposition or which had been imposed under this paragraph. If any person fails to pay an assessed civil penalty after it has become final, the President may refer the matter to the Attorney General for collection.
(b)In addition to, or in lieu of, assessing a penalty under subsection (a), the President may request the Attorney General to secure such relief as necessary to compel compliance with section 2716 of this title, including a judicial order terminating operations. The district courts of the United States shall have jurisdiction to grant any relief as the public interest and the equities of the case may require.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification Section was not enacted as part of title I of Pub. L. 101–380 which comprises this subchapter.

Amendments

2018—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–232, § 3547(d)(1), substituted “subsection (b)(2)” for “subsection (c)(2)”. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–232, § 3547(d)(2), substituted “section 2716” for “this section 2716”.

Executive Documents

Delegation of Functions Specific functions of President under this section delegated to Secretary of Department in which Coast Guard is operating and Secretary of the Interior by section 5(b) of Ex. Ord. No. 12777, Oct. 18, 1991, 56 F.R. 54765, as amended, set out as a note under section 1321 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

33 U.S.C. § 2716a

Title 33Navigation and Navigable Waters

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73