Title 33Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-73

§59bb Declaration of nonnavigability for portions of Lake Erie

Title 33 › Chapter CHAPTER 1— - NAVIGABLE WATERS GENERALLY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - WATERS DECLARED NONNAVIGABLE: CHANGE OF NAME › § 59bb

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Makes certain parts of Lake Erie nonnavigable if the Secretary, after talking with local and regional public officials (including local and regional planning organizations), does not decide the proposed projects are against the public interest. The areas are the ones shown in Committee Print 101–48 of the House Committee on Public Works and Transportation, dated July 1990, and the nonnavigable rule follows the limits below. The rule only covers parts that are or will be bulkheaded, filled, or have permanent structures (for example, marinas). Any work there must follow all federal laws, including sections 401 and 403 of this title, section 1344 of this title, and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). If, 20 years from November 28, 1990, an area has not been developed as required, or if allowed work does not start within 5 years after permits are issued, the nonnavigable status for that area ends.

Full Legal Text

Title 33, §59bb

Navigation and Navigable Waters — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Unless the Secretary finds, after consultation with local and regional public officials (including local and regional public planning organizations), that the proposed projects to be undertaken within the boundaries of Lake Erie described in Committee Print 101–48 of the Committee on Public Works and Transportation of the House of Representatives, dated July 1990, are not in the public interest then, subject to subsections (b) and (c) of this section, those portions of Lake Erie, bounded and described in such Committee print, are declared to be nonnavigable waters of the United States.
(b)The declaration under subsection (a) shall apply only to those parts of the areas described in the Committee print referred to in subsection (a) which are or will be bulkheaded and filled or otherwise occupied by permanent structures, including marina facilities. All such work is subject to all applicable Federal statutes and regulations including, but not limited to, section 401 and 403 of this title, section 1344 of this title, and the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 [42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.].
(c)If, 20 years from November 28, 1990, any area or part thereof described in the Committee print referred to in subsection (a) is not bulkheaded or filled or occupied by permanent structures, including marina facilities, in accordance with the requirements set out in subsection (b), or if work in connection with any activity permitting 11 So in original. Probably should be “permitted”. in subsection (b) is not commenced within 5 years after issuance of such permits, then the declaration of nonnavigability for such area or part thereof shall expire.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (b), is Pub. L. 91–190, Jan. 1, 1970, 83 Stat. 852, which is classified generally to chapter 55 (§ 4321 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 4321 of Title 42 and Tables.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Committee on Public Works and Transportation of House of Representatives treated as referring to Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of House of Representatives by section 1(a) of Pub. L. 104–14, set out as a note preceding section 21 of Title 2, The Congress. “Secretary” Defined Secretary means the Secretary of the Army, see section 2 of Pub. L. 101–640, set out as a note under section 2201 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

33 U.S.C. § 59bb

Title 33Navigation and Navigable Waters

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73