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