Title 33Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-73

§59c–3 Queens County, New York

Title 33 › Chapter CHAPTER 1— - NAVIGABLE WATERS GENERALLY › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - WATERS DECLARED NONNAVIGABLE: CHANGE OF NAME › § 59c–3

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Parts of Long Island City are treated as not navigable if they are dry land that, on October 12, 1996, lay between the south high-water line of Anable Basin (the 11th Street Basin) and the north high-water line of Newtown Creek, and that run from the East River’s high water line (as of October 12, 1996) to the East River’s original high water line. That rule only covers portions that are or will be bulkheaded (shore protected), filled in, or occupied by permanent structures or other lasting improvements like parkland. Those improvements still must follow federal laws, including sections 401 and 403 of this title, section 1344 of this title, and the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.). The nonnavigable status ends for any part not made into those permanent improvements by 20 years after October 12, 1996, or for any part that needs a federal permit where work does not start within 5 years after the permit is issued.

Full Legal Text

Title 33, §59c–3

Navigation and Navigable Waters — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Subject to subsections (b) and (c), the area of Long Island City, Queens County, New York, that—
(1)is not submerged;
(2)as of October 12, 1996, lies between the southerly high water line of Anable Basin (also known as the “11th Street Basin”) and the northerly high water line of Newtown Creek; and
(3)extends from the high water line (as of October 12, 1996) of the East River to the original high water line of the East River;
(b)(1)The declaration of nonnavigability under subsection (a) shall apply only to those portions of the area described in subsection (a) that are, or will be, bulkheaded, filled, or otherwise occupied by permanent structures or other permanent physical improvements (including parkland).
(2)Improvements described in paragraph (1) shall be subject to applicable Federal laws, including—
(A)section 401 and 403 of this title;
(B)section 1344 of this title;
(C)the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.).
(c)The declaration of nonnavigability under subsection (a) shall expire with respect to a portion of the area described in subsection (a), if the portion—
(1)is not bulkheaded, filled, or otherwise occupied by a permanent structure or other permanent physical improvement (including parkland) in accordance with subsection (b) by the date that is 20 years after October 12, 1996; or
(2)requires an improvement described in subsection (b)(2) that is subject to a permit under an applicable Federal law, and the improvement is not commenced by the date that is 5 years after the date of issuance of the permit.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(C), 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.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

33 U.S.C. § 59c–3

Title 33Navigation and Navigable Waters

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73