National
United States Regulations 
10 CFR Part 12 Truman Proclamation 


PROCLAMATION 2667 OF SEPTEMBER 28, 1945 
POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES WITH RESPECT TO THE 
NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE SUBSOIL AND SEA BED OF THE 
CONTINENTAL SHELF 
Acronym: Truman Proclamation 
Citation: 10 Fed. Reg. 12,305 (1945).
Codified as Executive Order 9633 of September 28, 1945.
Executive Purpose: 
The Proclamation and Order extend U.S. jurisdiction over the submerged lands and subsoil of the Outer 
Continental Shelf. 
Summary: 
The Truman Proclamation extends the U.S. claim to submerged lands and offshore resources of the Outer 
Continental Shelf (OCS) in the interest of conservation and prudent development of the natural resources 
of the seabed. For administrative purposes, it places the natural resources of the subsoil and sea bed of the 
continental shelf under the control of the Secretary of the Interior. When the continental shelf extends to 
waters that are controlled by another state, the boundaries of the jurisdiction and control are to be 
negotiated and settled between the United States and the other state. 
The Truman Proclamation was codified by the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA) which 
affirmed the United States’ exclusive jurisdiction over its continental shelf resources and created authority 
for the Department of the Interior to encourage discover and development of oil through a leasing program. 
The Proclamation specifically retains the right to free and unimpeded navigation on the high seas of the 
waters above the continental shelf. 
This proclamation was issued at the same time as Proclamation 2668 entitled the “Policy of the United 
States with Respect to Coastal Fisheries in Certain Areas of the High Seas” and they are often referred to 
together as the “Truman Proclamations.” Although the development of the proclamations and Executive 
Order substantially occurred under President Roosevelt, it was issued under President Truman and is 
known under his name. 
-66-

FEDERAL REGISTER Proclamation 2667 of September 28, 1945 
Title 3 - The President Continental Shelf of United States 
64 Fed. Reg. 48,701 September 28, 1945 
A Proclamation 
Policy of the United States with Respect to the National Resources of the Subsoil and Sea Bed of the 
Continental Shelf 
WHEREAS the Government of the United States of America, aware of the long range world-wide need 
for new sources of petroleum and other minerals holds the view that efforts to discover and make available 
new supplies of these resources should be encouraged; and 
WHEREAS its competent experts are of the opinion that such resources underlie many parts of the 
continental shelf off the coasts of the United States of America, and the with modern technological progress 
their utilization is already practicable or will become so at an early date and; 
WHEREAS recognized jurisdiction over these resources is required in the interest of their conservation and 
prudent utilization when and as development is undertaken; and 
WHEREAS it is the view of the Government of the United States that the exercise of jurisdiction over the 
natural resources of the subsoil and sea bed of the continental shelf by the contiguous nation is reasonable 
and just, since the effectiveness of measures to utilize or conserve these resources would be contingent 
upon cooperation and protection from the shore, since the continental shelf may be regarded as an 
extension of the land-mass of the coastal nation and thus naturally appurtenant to it, since these resources 
frequently form a seaward extension of a pool or deposit lying within the territory, and since self-protection 
compels the coastal nation to keep close watch over activities off its shores which are of the nature 
necessary for utilization of these resources; 
NOW THEREFORE. I, HARRY S. TRUMAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby 
proclaim the following policy of the United States of America with respect to the natural resources of the 
subsoil and sea bed of the continental shelf. 
Having concern for the urgency of conserving and prudently utilizing its natural resources, the Government 
of the United States regards the natural resources of the subsoil and sea bed of the continental shelf beneath 
the high seas but contiguous to the coasts of the United States, subject to jurisdiction and control. In cases 
where the continental shelf extends to the shores of another State, or is shared with an adjacent State, the 
boundary shall be determined by the United States and the Sate concerned in accordance with equitable 
principles. The character as high seas of the waters above the continental shelf and the right to their free 
and unimpeded navigation are in no way thus affected. 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States of 
America to be affixed. 
DONE at the City of Washington this 28th day of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and 
-67-

forty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and seventieth.
HARRY S. TRUMAN 
-68