§1421e — Title 16 Conservation | U.S. Code

Summary

People authorized to respond to strandings or entanglements under an agreement are treated like U.S. Government employees for liability under chapter 171 of title 28. That protection only applies when they act under the agreement and, in an unusual mortality event, when following a contingency plan, an Onsite Coordinator’s instructions, or the coordinator’s judgment for matters not covered by the plan. It does not apply to gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Title 16, §1421e

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)A person who is authorized to respond to a stranding or entanglement pursuant to an agreement entered into under section 1382(c) of this title is deemed to be an employee of the Government for purposes of chapter 171 of title 28, with respect to actions of the person that are—

(1)in accordance with the agreement; and

(2)in the case of an unusual mortality event, in accordance with—

(A)the contingency plan issued under section 1421c(b) of this title;

(B)the instructions of an Onsite Coordinator designated under section 1421c(c) of this title; or

(C)the best professional judgment of an Onsite Coordinator, in the case of any matter that is not covered by the contingency plan.

(b)Subsection (a) does not apply to actions of a person described in that subsection that are grossly negligent or that constitute willful misconduct.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 117–263, in introductory provisions, inserted “or entanglement” after “to a stranding” and substituted “Government” for “government”. 1994—Subsec. (a)(2)(A), (B). Pub. L. 103–238, § 24(c)(3), (4), made technical amendment to references to section 1421c of this title to reflect renumbering of corresponding section of original act.

§1421e Liability

Summary

Title 16, §1421e

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Citations & Metadata