Title 33 › CHAPTER 29 — DEEPWATER PORTS › § 1502
Defines the key words used in the chapter so readers know what each term means. Adjacent coastal State is a coastal State that would link by pipeline to a proposed deepwater port, is within 15 miles of one, or is named by the Secretary. Affiliate is an entity owned or controlled by, owning or controlling, or under common control with an applicant or disclosed person. Application is the request for a license to own, build, and run a deepwater port. Citizen of the United States is a person who is a U.S. citizen by law, birth, or naturalization, a State or its agency, or a company organized under State law whose top officers are U.S. citizens and whose non‑citizen directors are only a minority of the quorum. Coastal environment is the navigable waters and nearby shorelines, like bays, estuaries, marshes, beaches, plus the fish, wildlife, and recreational and scenic values. Coastal State is any State bordering the Atlantic, Pacific, or Arctic Oceans, or the Gulf of Mexico. Construction covers supervising, inspecting, building, repairing, or expanding a deepwater port, including pile driving and bulkheading. Control is the power to decide a person’s policies or business by ownership, board seats, contracts, or other means. Deepwater port is a fixed or floating manmade structure beyond State seaward boundaries used as a port or terminal for moving, storing, or handling oil or natural gas, includes its seaward components and certain natural gas parts, and is treated as a “new source” under the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. 7401 et seq.) and the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq.). Governor is the State’s Governor or the person the State law says acts for the Governor. Licensee is a U.S. citizen who holds a valid license to own, build, and operate a deepwater port under this chapter. Marine environment includes the coastal environment plus the contiguous zone and high seas, with their living resources and values. Natural gas means natural gas alone or in mixtures, including compressed or liquefied forms, natural gas liquids, liquefied petroleum gas, and condensate. Oil means petroleum, crude oil, and products made from them. Person includes an individual, company, partnership, association, or government. Safety zone is the safety area set around a deepwater port by the Secretary under section 1509(d). Secretary means the Secretary of Transportation. State includes the States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and U.S. territories and possessions. Vessel means any watercraft or other artificial craft used to travel on or through water.
Full Legal Text
Navigation and Navigable Waters, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Reference
Citation
33 U.S.C. § 1502
Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters
Last Updated
Sep 23, 2026
Release point: 119-110