Title 33, Navigation and Navigable WatersRelease 119-102

§519 Noncompliance with Orders; Penalties; Removal of Bridge

Title 33 › CHAPTER 11 — BRIDGES OVER NAVIGABLE WATERS › SUBCHAPTER II — ALTERATION OF BRIDGES › § 519

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

If a bridge owner knowingly refuses to follow a lawful order from the Secretary under this subchapter, they commit a misdemeanor. On conviction they can be fined up to $5,000, and each month they stay in default counts as a new offense that can bring more fines. The Secretary can also remove the bridge and related work at the owner's expense and the United States may sue to recover the costs. A court can force removal or compliance by injunction, mandamus, or other quick court order if the Attorney General brings the case at the Secretary’s request.

Full Legal Text

Title 33, §519

Navigation and Navigable Waters, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Any bridge owner who shall willfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order of the Secretary, made in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction thereof shall be punished in any court of competent jurisdiction by a fine not exceeding $5,000, and every month such bridge owner shall remain in default shall be deemed a new offense and subject such bridge owner to additional penalties therefor. In addition to the penalties above prescribed the Secretary may, upon the failure or refusal of any bridge owner to comply with any lawful order issued by the Secretary in regard thereto, cause the removal of any such bridge and accessory works at the expense of the bridge owner; and suit for such expense may be brought in the name of the United States against such bridge owner and recovery had for such expense in any court of competent jurisdiction. The removal of any bridge erected or maintained in violation of the provisions of this subchapter or the order or direction of the Secretary made in pursuance thereof, and compliance with any order of the Secretary made with respect to any bridge in accordance with the provisions of this subchapter, may be enforced by injunction, mandamus, or other summary process upon application to the district court of any district in which such bridge may, in whole or in part, exist, and proper proceedings to this end may be instituted under the direction of the Attorney General of the United States at the request of the Secretary.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

33 U.S.C. § 519

Title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102