Title 43 — Public LandsRelease 119-73
§1312 Seaward boundaries of States
Title 43 › Chapter CHAPTER 29— - SUBMERGED LANDS › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II— - LANDS BENEATH NAVIGABLE WATERS WITHIN STATE BOUNDARIES › § 1312
Summary
Federal law accepts each original coastal State’s seaward border as the line three geographical miles from its shore, or in the Great Lakes to the international boundary. Later states may do the same. State laws or constitutions showing that intent are accepted. This does not stop a state from claiming more if its constitution or Congress already gave it more.
Full Legal Text
Title 43, §1312
Public Lands — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The seaward boundary of each original coastal State is approved and confirmed as a line three geographical miles distant from its coast line or, in the case of the Great Lakes, to the international boundary. Any State admitted subsequent to the formation of the Union which has not already done so may extend its seaward boundaries to a line three geographical miles distant from its coast line, or to the international boundaries of the United States in the Great Lakes or any other body of water traversed by such boundaries. Any claim heretofore or hereafter asserted either by constitutional provision, statute, or otherwise, indicating the intent of a State so to extend its boundaries is approved and confirmed, without prejudice to its claim, if any it has, that its boundaries extend beyond that line. Nothing in this section is to be construed as questioning or in any manner prejudicing the existence of any State’s seaward boundary beyond three geographical miles if it was so provided by its constitution or laws prior to or at the time such State became a member of the Union, or if it has been heretofore approved by Congress.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
43 U.S.C. § 1312
Title 43 — Public Lands
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73