Title 33Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-73

§550 Report on water terminal and transfer facilities

Title 33 › Chapter CHAPTER 12— - RIVER AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS GENERALLY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - GENERAL PROVISIONS › § 550

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Chief of Engineers of the U.S. Army must say, in his yearly reports, what kinds of terminals and transfer facilities exist at every harbor or waterway the United States keeps up or improves, and if they are good enough for current commerce. He must also send one or more special reports as soon as possible after January 18, 1918. Those reports must give a short description of each terminal (where it is, if it fits current traffic, who owns it, and how the public may use it); say if short railroad lines connect the terminal to all local railroads and if traffic is exchanged between ship and rail; note if good roads link the terminal to other highways; give an opinion if there are no public terminals about how many are needed and where; and include a general study with sample plans for suitable terminals that work with tides, floods, and other conditions.

Full Legal Text

Title 33, §550

Navigation and Navigable Waters — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

The Chief of Engineers, United States Army, shall indicate in his annual reports the character of the terminal and transfer facilities existing on every harbor or waterway under maintenance or improvement by the United States, and state whether they are considered adequate for existing commerce. He shall also submit one or more special reports on this subject, as soon as possible after January 18, 1918, including, among other things, the following:
(a)A brief description of such water terminals, including location and the suitability of such terminals to the existing traffic conditions, and whether such terminals are publicly or privately owned, and the terms and conditions under which they may be subjected to public use.
(b)Whether such water terminals are connected by a belt or spur line of railroad with all the railroads serving the same territory or municipality, and whether such connecting railroad is owned by the public and the conditions upon which the same may be used, and also whether there is an interchange of traffic between the water carriers and the railroad or railroads as to such traffic which is carried partly by rail and partly by water to its destination, and also whether improved and adequate highways have been constructed connecting such water terminal with the other lines of highways.
(c)If no water terminals have been constructed by the municipality or other existing public agency there shall be included in his report an expression of opinion in general terms as to the necessity, number, and appropriate location of such a terminal or terminals.
(d)An investigation of the general subject of water terminals, with descriptions and general plans of terminals of appropriate types and construction for the harbors and waterways of the United States suitable for various commercial purposes and adapted to the varying conditions of tides, floods, and other physical characteristics.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification Section is from act July 18, 1918, popularly known as the “Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1918”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

33 U.S.C. § 550

Title 33Navigation and Navigable Waters

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73