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National
United States Regulations
33 CFR PART 209—ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE




Title 33: Navigation and Navigable Waters

PART 209—ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE




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Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 33 U.S.C. 1; 10 U.S.C. 3012.

Source: 33 FR 18670, Dec. 18, 1968, unless otherwise noted.

§ 209.50 Mississippi River Commission: Public observation of Commission meetings.
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(a) Purpose. (1) The purpose of this regulation is to afford to the public, to the fullest possible extent, information regarding the decisionmaking processes of the Mississippi River Commission and to open all meetings of the Mississippi River Commission to public observation except in instances where a portion or portions of a meeting may be closed to the public in accordance with this regulation in order to protect the rights of individuals and/or in order to permit the Mississippi River Commission to carry out its statutory and assigned functions and responsibilities. This regulation is issued in accordance with section (g) of the Government in the Sunshine Act and implements sections (b) through (f) of said Act (5 U.S.C. 552b (b) through (f)).

(2) Public observation of Mississippi River Commission meetings includes public participation in the deliberations of the Commission only to the extent specifically provide in public notices of such meetings.

(b) Definitions. The following definitions apply to the regulation in this section.

(1) Commission means The Mississippi River Commission.

(2) President means the duly appointed President and Executive Officer of the Commission.

(3) Commissioner means a duly appointed member of the Commission.

(4) Secretary means the Secretary of the Commission.

(5) Chief Legal Officer means the Division Counsel or the acting Division Counsel of the Lower Mississippi Valley Division, Corps of Engineers.

(6) Meeting means the deliberations of at least a majority of the Commissioners where such deliberations determine or result in the joint conduct or disposition of official Commission business, but does not include:

(i) Deliberations of the Commission in determining whether or not to close a portion or portions of a meeting in accordance with paragraphs (e)(4) and (e)(5) of this section.

(ii) Deliberations of the Commission in determining whether or not to withhold from disclosure information pertaining to a portion or portions of a meeting as provided in paragraphs (e)(4) and (e)(5) of this section.

(iii) Deliberations of the Commission pertaining to changes in the subject matter of a meeting or changes in the determination to open or close a portion or portions of a meeting to the public following the public announcement of such meeting in accordance with paragraph (d)(4) of this section.

(iv) Deliberations of the Commission in determining whether to waive the one-week public notice requirement in accordance with paragraph (d)(2) of this section.

(c) Time, place, and agenda of meetings. (1) The meetings of the Commission, except those held on Government boats during inspection trips of the Commission, shall be held at Vicksburg, Mississippi. The time of such meetings shall be fixed by the President of the Commission, who shall cause due notice of such meetings to be given members of the Commission and the public.

(33 U.S.C. 646)
(2) The President shall, after consultation with the Commissioners, prepare a detailed agenda for planned Commission meetings at the earliest practicable time. Suggestions from the public of proposed agenda items are invited.

(d) Public notices and Federal Register publication. (1) At least one week before each Commission meeting the Secretary shall issue a public announcement which (i) States the time and place of the meeting,

(ii) Lists the agenda items or subjects to be discussed at the meeting,

(iii) States whether the meeting or portions of the meeting are to be closed or open to public observation,

(iv) States whether or not public participation in the meeting will be permitted, and

(v) States the name and business phone number of the official who will respond to requests for information about the meeting. Public announcements of Commission meetings shall include releases to the news media in the Lower Mississippi River Valley and mailing notices of such meetings to all persons and agencies known to have an interest in the Commission's work and to others who request such announcements.

(2) The one-week period for public notice required by paragraph (d)(1) of this section shall not be applicable when a majority of the entire membership of the Commission determines by a recorded vote that Commission business requires that a meeting be called at an earlier date. The Secretary shall, however, issue the public notice required by paragraph (d)(1) of this section at the earliest practicable time.

(3) When due to unforeseen circumstances it is necessary to change the time or place of a meeting following the public announcement required by paragraph (d)(1) of this section, the Secretary will publicly announce such change at the earliest practicable time.

(4) The subject matter of a meeting, or the determination of the Commission to open or close a portion or portions of a meeting to the public, may be changed following the public announcement required by paragraph (d)(1) of this section only if: (i) A majority of the entire membership of the Commission determines by a recorded vote that Commission business so requires and that no earlier announcement of the change was possible, and (ii) the Secretary publicly announces such change and the vote of each member on such change at the earliest practicable time.

(5) Immediately following each public announcement required by this section, notice of the time, place, and subject matter of a meeting, whether a portion or portions of the meetings are open or closed to public observation, any change in one of the preceding, and the name and business telephone number of the official of the Commission who will respond to requests for information about the meeting, shall be submitted for publication in the Federal Register.

(e) Closing a portion or portions of a meeting. (1) All Commission meetings shall be open to the public except when the Commission determines that public disclosure of information to be discussed in a portion or portions of a meeting is likely to:

(i) Disclose matters that are (A) specifically authorized under criteria established by Executive order to be kept secret in the interests of national defense or foreign policy and (B) in fact properly classified pursuant to such Executive order;

(ii) Relate solely to the internal personnel rules and practices of the Commission;

(iii) Disclose matters specifically exempted from disclosure by statute [other than the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552), provided that such statute: (A) Requires that the matters be withheld from the public in such a manner as to leave no discretion on the issue, or (B) establishes particular criteria for withholding or refers to particular types of matters to be withheld;

(iv) Disclose trade secrets and commercial or financial information obtained from a person and privileged or confidential;

(v) Involve accusing any person of a crime, or formally censuring any person;

(vi) Disclose information of a personal nature when disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;

(vii) Disclose investigatory records compiled for law-enforcement purposes, or information which, if written, would be contained in such records. But only to the extent that the production of such records or information would: (A) Interfere with enforcement proceedings, (B) deprive a person of a right to a fair trial or to an impartial adjudication, (C) constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy, or (D) disclose the identity of a confidential source, and, in the case of a record compiled by a criminal law-enforcement authority in the course of a criminal investigation or by an agency conducting a lawful national-security intelligence investigation, confidential information furnished only by the confidential source:

(viii) Disclose information the premature disclosure of which would be likely to significantly frustrate implementation of a proposed Commission action except: (A) When the Commission has already disclosed to the public the content or nature of its proposed action or (B) when the Commission is required by law to make such disclosure on its own initiative prior to taking final Commission action on such proposal;

(ix) Specifically concerns the Commission's participation in a civil action or proceeding.

(2) In each instance where the Commission determines that a portion or portions of a meeting may be closed to the public, or determines that information may be withheld from the public for one or more of the exemptions listed in paragraph (e)(1) of this section, the Commission shall consider and determine whether or not the public interest requires that the portion or portions of the meeting be open to the public and whether or not the public interest requires that the information be released to the public.

(3) Whenever any person whose interest may be directly affected by a portion of a meeting requests that the Commission close such portion to the public for any of the reasons referred to in paragraph (e)(1) (v), (vi) or (vii) of this section, the Commission, upon the request of any one of its members, shall vote by recorded vote whether to close such meeting.

(4) Action to close a portion or portions of a meeting for one or more of the reasons listed in paragraphs (e)(1) (i) through (ix) of this section, or to withhold information from the public for one or more of the reasons listed in paragraphs (e)(1) (i) through (ix) of this section shall be taken only when a majority of the entire membership of the Commission votes to take such action.

(5) A separate recorded vote of the Commission shall be taken with respect to each meeting a portion or portions of which the Commission proposes to close to the public, and a separate vote of the members of the Commission shall be taken to determine whether to withhold information from the public. The vote of each Commissioner participating in such vote shall be recorded and no proxies shall be allowed.

(6) Within one day of any vote taken pursuant to paragraphs (e)(4) and (e)(5) of this section, the Commission shall make publicly available a written copy of such vote reflecting the vote of each member on the question. If a portion or portions of a meeting are to be closed to the public, the Commission shall within one day of the vote taken pursuant to paragraphs (e)(4) and (e)(5) of this section make publicly available a written explanation of its action in closing a portion or portions of the meeting together with a list of all persons expected to attend the meeting and their affiliations.

(7) For every portion or portions of a meeting closed pursuant to paragraphs (e)(1) (i) through (ix) of this section, the Chief Legal Officer of the Commission shall publicly certify that, in his or her opinion, the meeting may be closed to the public and shall state each relevant exemptive provision. A copy of such certification, together with a statement from the presiding officer of the meeting setting forth the time and place of the meeting, and the persons present, shall be retained in the Commission files.

(f) Records. (1) The Secretary shall maintain in the official files:

(i) A complete transcript or electronic recording (disclosing the identity of each speaker) adequate to record fully the proceedings of the Commission at a portion or portions of a meeting closed to the public for the reasons specified in paragraphs (e)(1) (i) through (ix) of this section.

(ii) The statement of the presiding officer of each Commission meeting, a portion or portions of which were closed to the public, as required by paragraph (e)(7) of this section.

(iii) The certification of the Chief Legal Officer, as required by paragraph (e)(7) of this section, for each Commission meeting, a portion or portions of which were closed to the public.

(2) The records required by paragraph (f)(1) of this section shall be retained for at least two years following any meeting or not less than one year following conclusion of Commission action with respect to any matter discussed at such meeting, whichever occurs later.

(g) Public access to records. (1) All records required to be maintained in accordance with the provisions of (f)(1) of this section shall promptly be made available to the public by the Secretary except for information which the Commission has determined may be withheld from the public for the reasons stated in paragraphs (e)(1) (i) through (ix) of this section.

(2) Public inspection of such records shall take place at the headquarters of the Mississippi River Commission, 1400 Walnut Street, Vicksburg, Mississippi 39180.

(3) The Secretary shall provide (subject to withholding of information for the reasons stated in paragraphs (e)(1) (i) through (ix) of this section) upon request of any person, copies of the records required by the provisions of (f)(1) of this section, including transcriptions of electronic recordings at the actual cost of transcription or duplication.

(5 U.S.C. 552b)

[42 FR 13286, Mar. 10, 1977]

§ 209.138a Authorization for exploratory drilling in the Gulf of Santa Catalina, Calif.
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(a) Department of the Army authorization is required pursuant to section 4(f) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act of 1953 (67 Stat. 462; 43 U.S.C. 1333(f)) in coastal waters and the water covering the Outer Continental Shelf. The determination whether or not to issue a Department of the Army authorization for structures on the Outer Continental Shelf related to exploration of minerals is based upon the proposed activities' effect on navigation and national security. All other matters concerning offshore drilling, including environmental considerations, are the responsibility of the Department of the Interior.

(b) The following rules have been developed jointly by the Los Angeles district engineer and the 11th Coast Guard District, in consultation with the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Geological Survey for drilling in the Gulf of Santa Catalina:

(1) All drilling with a single tract will be covered by a single application.

(2) Where practicable, applications shall be submitted at least 120 days in advance of drilling for tracts where drilling is expected to be accomplished within the traffic separation scheme, the precautionary zone or within 2 nautical miles of a traffic lane.

(3) Applications shall include the location of any known proposed drilling site and the estimated start and completion dates for each. Updated information on the plan shall be furnished as soon as available. One individual (and alternate) shall be designated by the applicant as responsible for maintaining close liaison with all involved agencies.

(4) Where it is not feasible to perform exploratory work from outside the traffic lanes or 1/4 mile buffer zones, or precautionary zone, authorizations will include the following conditions:

(i) Exploratory vessels within a traffic lane will, to the degree practicable, be sited near traffic lane boundaries.

(ii) Exploratory vessels within one traffic lane, or in the precautionary zone, shall be separated by at least 8 nautical miles in the direction of the lane axis.

(iii) Exploratory vessels located within the traffic lanes, or the precautionary zone, shall not have their pendant buoys within 3,000 yards from the pendant buoys of any other vessel.

(iv) Exploratory rigs and vessels engaged in offshore development may have no cables, anchors, buoys, or other associated equipment within the traffic lanes, 1/4 mile buffer zones, or the precautionary zone, at a depth of less than 100 feet, unless such equipment is marked with class I private aids to navigation in accordance with current Federal regulations.

(67 Stat. 462 (43 U.S.C. 1333(f))

[43 FR 28475, June 30, 1978]

§ 209.140 Operations of the Corps of Engineers under the Federal Power Act.
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(a) General. This section outlines policies and procedures applicable to those operations in which the Corps of Engineers may be called upon to participate under the Federal Power Act. Such operations include: Investigations and reports on applications for permits and licenses for development of power affecting navigable waters; supervision of investigations, construction, and operation of projects under such permits and licenses; preparation of special reports as required by the Federal Power Commission; and review of plans of dams or other structures affecting navigation. The foregoing functions are performed by the Corps of Engineers only upon request of the Federal Power Commission.

(b) Authority of Division and District Engineers. Section 2 of the revised Federal Power Act provides that the Federal Power Commission may request the President to detail an officer or officers from the Corps of Engineers, or other branches of the United States Army, to serve the Commission as Engineer officer or officers, or in any other capacity, in field work outside the seat of government, their duties to be prescribed by the Commission. By authority of the Secretary of the Army, and in accordance with the instructions issued by the President in a letter to the Secretary of the Army dated May 18, 1931, Division Engineers will be detailed to serve the Commission as engineer officers in field work outside the seat of government, their duties to be prescribed by the Commission, and to be performed under the supervision of the Chief of Engineers. District Engineers will be designated to carry out the field inspections and investigations under supervision of the Division Engineer. When a Division Engineer is detailed by the Chief of Engineers to assist the Commission in either the investigation or supervision of a project he will be the accredited representative of the Commission. The actual field work will be done by the designated District Engineer who will make a report to the Division Engineer. All reports and such correspondence as would normally be forwarded to the Commission will be addressed to the Chief of Engineers.

(c) Procedure for investigations and report on applications for permits and licenses. (1) Upon request by the Federal Power Commission, the Chief of Engineers will assign the investigation of an application for permit or license under the Federal Power Act to a Division Engineer, who will submit a report on the investigation as provided herein. The date that the report is to be submitted will be specified. The Division Engineer, upon assignment of an investigation involving extensive studies, will when requested by the Chief of Engineers submit an estimate of the cost of the investigation, listing the probable expenditures for salaries separate from the estimated costs of non-personal services.

(2) If in the investigation of an application or a declaration of intention filed under the Federal Power Act the Division Engineer considers a public hearing desirable in the interests of navigation or flood control, the Chief of Engineers will be notified whereupon the matter will be brought to the attention of the Commission. No public hearing will be held unless specifically authorized by the Commission or by the Chief of Engineers. If a hearing is authorized it will be limited strictly to consideration of the purpose for which approval is granted.

(3) The report will describe and discuss material facts having a definite bearing on the interests of navigation and flood control and the general effect the project would have on a comprehensive plan of developing the water resources of the basin. Specific reference will be made to pertinent published documents containing the results of studies and/or resolutions directing studies to be made. In the case of an application for permit or license for an unconstructed project the report will include a recommendation as to whether development should be undertaken by the United States rather than by a licensee. A recommendation for Federal development will be supported by a showing as to how this would serve the Corps of Engineers programs and policies. In the case of an application for permit or license for a constructed project the report should contain appropriate comments concerning possible redevelopment to improve the usefulness of the project in relation to the objectives of the Corps program in the basin.

(4) The report on an application for license will contain recommendations of the Division Engineer concerning the inclusion in the license of any terms and conditions that are considered to be necessary or desirable in the public interest from the standpoint of Corps of Engineers responsibilities.

(5) The report on an application for permit will contain such recommendations as required to insure coordination of the applicant's studies with the Division or District Engineer in cases where interests of the Corps of Engineers are involved. In all cases, the report will contain, in lieu of specific recommendations, a discussion of interests which should be protected by articles in a license issued subsequent to the permit period.

(6) If the project is on a Federal reservation or contemplates the use of a dam, either of which is under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Army, the report should state, giving reasons:

(i) Whether the project will interfere or be inconsistent with the purpose for which such reservation was created or acquired and what conditions, if any, should be imposed for the adequate protection and utilization of the reservation.

(ii) Whether the dam may be advantageously used by the United States for public purposes in addition to authorized purposes and whether it should be reserved for such use.

(iii) Whether the development should be undertaken by the United States.

(7) The reports will not be released or made public except by specific authority of the Chief of Engineers, nor will copies of a report, its findings, or recommendations be furnished to the applicant, to interested parties, or to the Commission until released by the Chief of Engineers.

(d) Procedure for supervision of operations under permits and licenses. (1) When supervision of the operations of an applicant under a permit or a license is requested by the Federal Power Commission, the Chief of Engineers will assign responsibility for supervision to the Division Engineer. The operations to be supervised, such as investigations being conducted by a permittee, construction of a project under a license or operation of completed projects, will be as specified by the Commission.

(2) Projects will be classified as major, minor, minor part or transmission line projects as indicated in the Federal Power Act and as specified in the instructions from the Commission.

(3) Inspection during the construction of a major project will be made monthly, or as often as may be necessary for the Division Engineer to assure himself that the terms of the license are being complied with and the work is of acceptable quality and in accordance with the approved plans. The frequency of inspections of minor, minor part, and transmission line projects is left to the discretion of the Division Engineer.

(4) After a project has been completed and placed in operation and is under the supervision of the Division Engineer, annual inspection will be made of major and minor projects but inspection of transmission line projects will not be made unless specifically requested by the Commission.

(5) Reports on supervision and inspections of operations under Federal Power Commission permits and licenses will be submitted in accordance with instructions in paragraph (e) of this section.

(e) Reports on supervision and inspection of operations under Federal Power Commission permits licenses. Periodic reports, as appropriate to assigned responsibilities and as described in paragraphs (e) (1) through (3), inclusive, of this section will be submitted for each Federal Power Commission permit or license for which a Division Engineer has been assigned responsibility for supervision of operations under provisions of the Federal Power Act. All of the described reports will be submitted in triplicate to the Chief of Engineers for transmittal to the Federal Power Commission. Unless otherwise stated transmittal letters will not be required and the reports will be mailed so as to reach the Chief of Engineers not later than the 15th of the month following the end of the report period.

(1) Reports on supervision of construction under a FPC License. When a Division Engineer is assigned responsibility for supervision and inspection of construction of a licensed project, the requirements for submission of reports will be specified.

(2) Annual Report on operation of project under supervision of the Division Engineer. Reports on the operation and maintenance of each major and minor licensed project for which supervision of operations has been assigned to a Division Engineer will be submitted annually after the initial installation covered by the license has been completed. Such reports will be made on Federal Power Commission Form 10, “Operation Report” and, pursuant to paragraph 39u of AR 335–15, do not require a reports control symbol. A special report will be made in case of severe flood or interruption in operation due to failure of material or accident. Reports on operation and maintenance of transmission line projects are not required unless requested by the Commission.

(3) Annual Report on operation of projects with licenses containing conditions prescribed in the interest of navigation. When the Federal Power Commission notifies the Chief of Engineers that it will assume the supervision of operation of a licensed project, the Division Engineer will not be required to make detailed inspections and reports. However, the Division Engineer will continue to be responsible for the project insofar as it affects the interest of navigation. The inspection of projects in this class is left to the discretion of the Division Engineer but annual reports will be submitted in triplicate, through the Chief of Engineers, on Federal Power Commission Form 10, “Operation Report”, omitting the items under “Supervision expense for period”, but including the following information only under “Memorandum Report”.

(i) Whether the operation of the project has been satisfactory insofar as the interests of navigation are concerned.

(ii) Whether any infraction by the licensee of the conditions in the interest of navigation has come to the attention of the Division Engineer.

(f) Delegation of authority for approval of structural plans for non-Federal hydroelectric projects affecting navigation. The authority vested in the Secretary of the Army by section 4(e) of the Federal Power Act is hereby delegated to the Chief of the Engineers for promulgation with regard to approval of plans of structures filed with the Federal Power Commission in connection with licensing of non-Federal hydroelectric projects.

(Sec. 4(e), 49 Stat. 840; 16 U.S.C. 797(e); Secretary of the Army memorandum for the Chief of Engineers, dated March 11, 1975)

[33 FR 18670, Dec. 18, 1968, as amended at 40 FR 17023, Apr. 16, 1975]

Cross Reference:
For regulations of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, see 18 CFR chapter I.

§ 209.141 Coordination of hydroelectric power operations with power marketing agencies.
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(a) Purpose. This regulation establishes policies and procedures for coordinating the operation of the Corps of Engineers' hydroelectric generating facilities with the power marketing agencies.

(b) Applicability. This regulation applies to all civil works field operating agencies (FOA) having generating facilities producing marketable electric power.

(c) References. (1) Section 5, Pub. L. 534, 78th Congress, Flood Control Act of 1944, December 22, 1944 (58 Stat. 889).

(2) Section 302, Pub. L. 95–91, 95th Congress, Department of Energy Organization Act, August 4, 1977 (91 Stat. 565).

(d) Background. Section 5 of the Act of December 22, 1944 (Pub. L. 534, 78th Congress), provides that electric power and energy generated at reservoir projects under the control of the Department of the Army and in the opinion of the Secretary of Army not required in the operation of such projects shall be delivered to the Secretary of Interior for transmittal and disposal in a manner to encourage the most widespread use thereof at the lowest possible rates to consumers consistent with sound business principles. Section 302 of the Department of Energy Organization Act (Pub. L. 95–91) transfers all functions of the Secretary of Interior under section 5 of the 1944 Act to the Secretary of Energy together with all other functions of the Secretary of Interior, and officers and components of the Department of the Interior, with respect to the Southeastern Power Administration; the Southwestern Power Administration; the Alaska Power Administration; the Bonneville Power Administration; and the power marketing functions of the Bureau of Reclamation.

(e) Policies. (1) The Corps is responsible for operating the hydroelectric power projects and providing information affecting cost and availability of power to the power marketing agencies. Marketing the generated power declared excess to the needs of the projects and recovering Federal investment are the responsibilities of the power marketing agencies.

(2) All FOA Commanders will develop, in coordination with their respective power marketing agency, a system for exchanging operating information. The system will include general operating information and information on conditions that could substantially affect costs or power availability.

(f) Delegation. Responsibility for coordinating the exchange of information may be delegated to the District Engineer at the discretion of the Division Engineer.

(g) Procedures—(1) Specific requirements—(i) Continuing. Prompt written notification will be provided to the appropriate power marketing agency each time a change in power operations or conditions which could substantially affect costs or power availability is anticipated.

(ii) Annual. Annually, when no changes in power operations or costs are expected for the succeeding 12-month period, the marketing agency will be notified of that fact in writing.

(2) FOA responsibility. The FOA directly responsible for communicating with the marketing agency will develop appropriate reporting procedures in coordination with that agency.

[43 FR 8258, Mar. 1, 1978]

§ 209.155 Expenditure of Federal funds for work shoreward of harbor lines.
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(a) Section 5 of the River and Harbor Act of July 13, 1892 (27 Stat. 111; 33 U.S.C. 628), prohibits the expenditure of money appropriated for the improvement of rivers and harbors for dredging inside of harbor lines duly established.

(b) It is not the policy of the Department to expend Federal funds for the removal of wrecks or other obstructions shoreward of established harbor lines.

§ 209.160 The California Debris Commission.
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Section 1 of the Act of Congress of March 1, 1893 (27 Stat. 507; 33 U.S.C. 661), created the California Debris Commission, consisting of three officers of the Corps of Engineers, to regulate under the supervision of the Chief of Engineers and direction of the Secretary of the Army, hydraulic mining in the territory drained by the Sacramento and San Joaquin River systems, California. Under section 9 of the act (27 Stat. 508; 33 U.S.C. 669), the individual proprietor or proprietors, or in case of a corporation, its manager or agent appointed for that purpose, owning mining ground in this territory which it is desired to work by the hydraulic process, must file with the Commission a verified petition, setting forth such facts as will comply with law and the rules prescribed by the Commission. The law contains detailed instructions with regard to facts required to be shown by the petitioner and the procedure to be followed by the Commission in issuing an order directing the methods and specifying the manner in which operations shall proceed. Full information on law and procedure can be obtained from the Secretary, California Debris Commission, 650 Capitol Mall, Sacramento, California 95814.

§ 209.170 Violations of laws protecting navigable waters.
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(a) [Reserved]

(b) Injuries to Government works. Section 14 of the River and Harbor Act of March 3, 1899 (30 Stat. 1152; 33 U.S.C. 408), makes it unlawful for any person or persons to take possession of or make use of for any purpose, or build upon, alter, deface, destroy, move, injure, obstruct by fastening vessels thereto or otherwise, or in any manner whatever impair the usefulness of any sea wall, bulkhead, jetty, dike, levee, wharf, pier, or other work built by the United States, or any piece of plant, floating or otherwise, used in the construction of such work under the control of the United States, in whole or in part, for the preservation and improvement of any of its navigable waters or to prevent floods, or as boundary marks, tide gauges, surveying stations, buoys, or other established marks, nor remove for ballast or other purposes any stone or other material composing such works. (The Secretary of the Army may, on the recommendation of the Chief of Engineers, grant permission for the temporary occupation or use of any of the aforementioned public works when in his judgment such occupation or use will not be injurious to the public interest).

(c) Injurious deposits. (1) Section 13 of the River and Harbor Act of March 3, 1899 (30 Stat. 1152; 33 U.S.C. 407), makes it unlawful to throw, discharge, or deposit, or cause, suffer, or procure to be thrown, discharged, or deposited either from or out of any ship, barge, or other floating craft, or from the shore, wharf, manufacturing establishment, or mill, any refuse matter of any kind or description whatever other than that flowing from streets and sewers and passing therefrom in a liquid state, into any navigable water of the United States, or into any tributary of any navigable water from which the same shall float or be washed into such navigable water, or to deposit or cause, suffer, or procure to be deposited material of any kind in any place on the bank of any navigable water or on the bank of any tributary of any navigable water, where the same shall be liable to be washed into such navigable water, either by ordinary or high tides, or by storms or floods, or otherwise, whereby navigation shall or may be impeded or obstructed. Section 13 does not apply to the operations in connection with the improvement of navigable waters or construction of public works considered necessary and proper by the United States officers supervising such improvement or public work.

(2) An Act of Congress approved June 29, 1888 (25 Stat. 209; 33 U.S.C. 441–451), as amended on August 28, 1958 (72 Stat. 970–971; 33 U.S.C. 441–451b) forbids the placing, discharging, or depositing of refuse, dirt, ashes, cinders, mud, sand, dredgings, sludge, acid, or any other matter of any kind, other than that flowing from streets, sewers, and passing therefrom in a liquid state, in the tidal waters of the harbors of New York, Hampton Roads, and Baltimore or its adjacent or tributary waters, within the limits which shall be prescribed by the Supervisor of the Harbor. The provisions of this act are enforced by the Supervisor under the direction of the Secretary of the Army.

(d) Penalties for violations. (1) Section 12 of the River and Harbor Act of March 3, 1899 (30 Stat. 1151; 33 U.S.C. 406), as amended, provides that every person and every corporation that shall violate any of the provisions of sections 9 and 10 shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction thereof shall be punished by fine, imprisonment, or both, in the discretion of the court. The removal of any structures or parts of structures erected in violation of the provisions of the said sections may be enforced by the injunction of any district court exercising jurisdiction in any district in which such structures may exist, and proper proceedings to this end may be instituted under the direction of the Attorney General.

(2) Section 16 of the River and Harbor Act of March 3, 1899 (30 Stat. 1153; 33 U.S.C. 412), provides that every person and every corporation that shall violate, or that shall knowingly aid, abet, authorize or instigate a violation of the provisions of sections 13, 14 and 15, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. On conviction thereof violators shall be punished by a fine, imprisonment, or both, in the discretion of the court. Any master, pilot, and engineer, or person or persons acting in such capacity, respectively, on board of any boat or vessel who shall knowingly engage in towing any scow, boat, or vessel loaded with any material specified in section 13 to any point or place of deposit or discharge in any harbor or navigable water, elsewhere than within the limits defined and permitted by the Secretary of the Army, or who shall willfully injure or destroy any work of the United States contemplated in section 14, or who shall willfully obstruct the channel of any waterway in the manner contemplated in section 15, shall be deemed guilty of a violation of the Act. Upon conviction he shall be punished as provided in this section, and shall also have his license revoked or suspended for a term to be fixed by the judge before whom tried and convicted. Any boat, vessel, scow, raft, or other craft used or employed in violating any of the provisions of sections 13, 14, and 15 shall be liable for the pecuniary penalties specified in this section, and in addition for the amount of the damages done by said boat, vessel, scow, raft, or other craft. The latter sum shall be placed to the credit of the appropriation for the improvement of the harbor or waterway in which the damage occurred, and said boat, vessel, scow, raft, or other craft may be proceeded against summarily by way of libel in any district court of the United States having jurisdiction thereof.

(e) Enforcement. (1) Section 17 of the River and Harbor Act of March 3, 1899 (30 Stat. 1153; 33 U.S.C. 413) provides that the Department of Justice shall conduct the legal proceedings necessary to enforce the provisions of sections 9 to 16, inclusive, of the Act. It shall be the duty of district attorneys of the United States to prosecute vigorously all offenders against the same whenever requested to do so by the Secretary of the Army or by any of his designated representatives.

(2) Under the provisions of section 17, District Engineers and the United States collectors of customs and other revenue officers, have power and authority to swear out process and to arrest and take into custody, with or without process, any person or persons who may commit any of the acts or offenses prohibited by sections 9 to 16, inclusive, or who may violate any of the provisions of the same. No person shall be arrested without process for any offense not committed in the presence of some one of the aforesaid officials. Whenever any arrest is made under the provisions of the Act, the person so arrested shall be brought forthwith before a commissioner, judge, or court of the United States for examination of the offenses alleged against him. Such commissioner, judge, or court shall proceed as authorized by law in case of crimes against the United States.

(3) It is the duty of each District Engineer to take notice of any violations of the laws for the protection of the navigable waters and the works of improvement therein that may occur in his district and to take the necessary steps to secure enforcement of the law. Whenever any violation of any of these provisions of law comes to his attention he will investigate carefully the circumstances of the case and will determine the amount of the damage for which the parties committing the violation are responsible under section 16 of the River and Harbor Act of March 3, 1899. He will advise the responsible parties to remove the illegal structure or deposit or to repair the damage at their own expense within a time specified by him. When there is reasonable doubt as to legal liability or the facts do not appear to warrant legal action, the District Engineer will report the case to the Chief of Engineers for decision before communicating with the responsible parties. When the damage must be repaired within a reasonable time, if the responsible parties so request in writing and if, when considered advisable by the District Engineer to protect the interests of the United States, they furnish a satisfactory bond or other guaranty, he may cause the repairs to be made by employees of the United States and then call upon the responsible parties to pay over to him the cost of the damages when finally ascertained. Where the damage is not to be repaired within a reasonable time, the District Engineer will make final settlement with the responsible parties as promptly as possible by collecting the estimated amount of the damages. All sums so received will be deposited promptly to the credit of the Treasurer of the United States for recredit to the appropriation affected and will be accounted for in the District Engineer's money accounts by proper vouchers. With reference to the method of ascertaining the amount of the damages under section 16 of the Act, a distinction should be made between cases involving property that should be repaired and those involving property that should be abandoned. In the former cases the amount of the damages should be the total cost of repairs, less any salvage value and any enhanced value. In the latter cases, the amount of the damages should be the fair value of the property, less any salvage value. Whether or not there has been any enhanced value (i.e., whether the fair value of the structure immediately after the repairs is greater than its fair value immediately before the damage occurred) is a matter to be determined from an actual survey of the structure and knowledge of its age and condition. Where maintenance has equalled depreciation there probably would be no enhanced value.

(4) If the parties deny their responsibility, or if they refuse or neglect to remove any unlawful structure or deposit or to repair the damages within the time specified by the District Engineer, the matter will be reported to the Chief of Engineers with such evidence as the District Engineer may be able to obtain and his recommended action under section 17 of the Act of March 3, 1899. In a situation requiring immediate action, the District Engineer may report the case directly to the U.S. attorney for the district. The Chief of Engineers will be advised of such action by a written report. Although the Corps of Engineers has certain police powers under this Act it has been the long standing policy to secure compliance with its provisions short of legal proceedings. Accordingly every effort will be made to accomplish corrective measures prior to initiation of action leading to such proceedings. As a general rule, while minor and unintentional or accidental violations of the provisions of the Act need not be reported to the Chief of Engineers, all willful or intentional violations and all cases in which the parties responsible refuse or neglect to remove the unlawful structure or deposit or to make good the damages suffered should be reported promptly to the Chief of Engineers in accordance with the above. It is the policy not to recommend prosecution when the violation of law is trivial, apparently unpremeditated, and results in no material public injury. Each report recommending prosecution should be accompanied by a full statement of the case and copies of correspondence relating thereto.

(5) The procedure in cases involving injurious deposits is similar to that described for other violations of law except that as the damage caused thereby cannot be repaired readily there will be no reason for serving any notice on the parties responsible for the violations further than to bring to their attention the consequences thereof.

(6) Section 6 of the river and Harbor Act approved March 3, 1905 (33 Stat. 1148; 33 U.S.C. 417) provides that expenses incurred by the Corps of Engineers in all investigations, inspections, hearings, reports, service of notice, or other action incidental to examinations into alleged violations of laws for protection and preservation of navigable waters shall be payble from any funds which may be available for the improvement, maintenance, operation, or care of the waterways or harbors affected. If such funds are not available in sums judged by the Chief of Engineers to be adequate, they shall be payable from any funds available for examinations, surveys, and contingencies of rivers and harbors.

[33 FR 18670, Dec. 18, 1968, as amended at 36 FR 17855, Sept. 4, 1971; 51 FR 45765, Dec. 22, 1986; 53 FR 27512, July 21, 1988]

§ 209.180 Temporary closure of waterway to navigation.
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(a) When an application is received for the temporary closure of a waterway for the construction of a structure or the performance of other work in the waterway, the District Engineer will assure himself of the necessity for the closure and arrange after informal communication with any important navigation interests concerned the time and duration of the closure which will enable the operations to be completed with the least interference with navigation. If there is no question as to the necessity and propriety of the closure, the District Engineer is authorized to inform the applicant as follows: “The Department of the Army will interpose no objection to the closure for a stated period beginning at a specified date: Provided, That prior thereto the applicant will notify navigation interests by an advertisement in the press or otherwise as the District Engineer may approve and on the understanding that the waiver of objection does not affect the liability of the applicant for any damages that may arise by reason of the closure.” The letter to the applicant will be signed “By Authority of the Secretary of the Army” and distribution made as prescribed for permits.

(b) District Engineers will give careful consideration to the effect of any closure on through navigation. Should coordination with other districts be necessary the case will be forwarded to the Division Engineer for such coordination.

(c) Cases not falling within the authority above conferred will be forwarded to the Chief of Engineers with the recommendations of the Division and District Engineers.

§ 209.190 [Reserved]
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§ 209.200 Regulations governing navigable waters.
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(a) Publication of regulations. (1) Regulations prescribed by or under the direction of the Secretary of the Army to govern navigation and navigable waters, are contained in the Code of Federal Regulations, title 33, Navigation and Navigable Waters, Chapter II.

(2) District engineers (or division engineers if considered preferable by the latter to avoid duplication in cases where the regulations involved apply to more than one district) will distribute copies of departmental regulations to all known interested parties as soon as their publication has been noted in the Federal Register. In the case of regulations applicable to more than one division, distribution will be handled as agreed upon by the division engineers concerned. Under the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 551–553), publication in the Federal Register shall be not less than 30 days prior to the effective date except as otherwise provided upon good cause found and published with the regulations.

(b) Navigation regulations. (1) Section 7 of the River and Harbor Act approved August 8, 1917 (40 Stat. 266; 33 U.S.C. 1) authorizes the Secretary of the Army to prescribe such regulations for the use, administration, and navigation of the navigable waters of the United States as public necessity may require for the protection of life and property, or for operations of the United States in channel improvement, covering all matters not specifically delegated by law to some other executive department. The statute provides for the posting of regulations and punishment for violations.

(2) Section 6 of the River and Harbor Act approved June 13, 1902 (32 Stat. 374; 33 U.S.C. 499) provides that regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Army may be enforced as provided in section 17 of the River and Harbor Act approved March 3, 1899 (30 Stat. 1153; 33 U.S.C. 413).

(3) District Engineers will take action with respect to regulations prescribed for waterways under their jurisdiction:

(i) To insure that the regulations are brought to the attention of the public.

(ii) To insure that the regulations are properly and fairly administered.

(iii) To recommend any revisions necessary to permit full use of the waterway by the public.

(c) Danger zones. (1) The Secretary of the Army has authority to prescribe regulations for the use and navigation of any area of the navigable waters of the United States or waters under the jurisdiction of the United States likely to be endangered by Department of Defense operations. This authority is pursuant to the provisions of Chapter XIX of the Army Act of July 9, 1918, or of section 7 of the River and Harbor Act of August 8, 1917.

(2) On receipt of a request from any element of the Department of Defense or other agency for approval by the Secretary of the Army of regulations establishing danger zones under authority of either Act, the District Engineer will, prior to issuing any public notice, make certain that the applicant: (i) Has coordinated its proposed operations with any operations being conducted or contemplated by other agencies in the same area with a view to avoiding interagency conflicts, (ii) has obtained clearance from the proper Regional Subcommittee on Airspace, Rules of the Air and Air Traffic Control (Air Coordinating Committee), where the use of airspace is involved, and (iii) has conducted preliminary discussions with local interests when considered advisable. In the case of proposed danger zones off the Atlantic and Pacific Coasts, the coordination referred to in (c)(2)(i) of this section will include the Commander, Service Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, or the Commander, Western Sea Frontier. (continued)