Title 33 — Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-73not60
§1477 Reasonable Measures; Considerations
Title 33 › Chapter 28— POLLUTION CASUALTIES ON THE HIGH SEAS: UNITED STATES INTERVENTION › § 1477
Summary
Actions to protect the coast must match the actual or likely damage and only do what’s needed. The Secretary must consider how likely and how severe the harm is, how well the action will work, and any harm the action itself might cause.
Full Legal Text
Title 33, §1477
Navigation and Navigable Waters — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Measures directed or conducted under this chapter shall be proportionate to the damage, actual or threatened, to the coastline or related interests of the United States and may not go beyond what is reasonably necessary to prevent, mitigate, or eliminate that damage.
(b)In considering whether measures are proportionate to the damage the Secretary shall, among other things, consider—
(1)the extent and probability of imminent damage if those measures are not taken;
(2)the likelihood of effectiveness of those measures; and
(3)the extent of the damage which may be caused by those measures.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
33 U.S.C. § 1477
Title 33 — Navigation and Navigable Waters
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60