Public Law 31.

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67 Stat. 29 Public Law 31 chapter 65 AN ACT To confirm and establish the titles of the States to lands beneath navigable waters within State boundaries and to the natural resources within such lands and waters, to provide for the use and control of said lands and resources, and to confirm the jurisdiction and control of the United States over the natural resources of the seabed of the Continental Shelf seaward of State boundaries.May 22, 1953[[H. R. 4198](/us/bill/83/hr/4198)] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,Submerged Lands Act.

That this Act may be cited as the “Submerged Lands Act”. TITLE I definition Sec. 2. When used in this Act—

(a)The term “lands beneath navigable waters” means—“Lands beneath navigable waters.”

(1)all lands within the boundaries of each of the respective States which are covered by nontidal waters that were navigable under the laws of the United States at the time such State became a member of the Union, or acquired sovereignty over such lands and waters thereafter, up to the ordinary high water mark as heretofore or hereafter modified by accretion, erosion, and reliction;

(2)all lands permanently or periodically covered by tidal waters up to but not above the line of mean high tide and seaward to a line three geographical miles distant from the coast line of each such State and to the boundary line of each such State where in any case such boundary as it existed at the time such State became a member of the ‘Union, or as heretofore approved by Congress, extends seaward (or into the Gulf of Mexico) beyond three geographical miles, and

(3)all filled in, made, or reclaimed lands which formerly were lands beneath navigable waters, as hereinabove defined:

(b)The term “boundaries” includes the seaward boundaries of a“Boundaries.” State or its boundaries in the Gulf of Mexico or any of the Great Lakes as they existed at the time such State became a member of the Union, or as heretofore approved by the Congress, or as extended or confirmed pursuant to section 4 hereof but in no event shall the term “boundaries” or the term “lands beneath navigable waters” be interpreted as extending from the coast line more than three geographical miles into the Atlantic Ocean or the Pacific Ocean, or more than three marine leagues into the Gulf of Mexico;

(c)The term “coast line” means the line of ordinary low water“Coast line.” along that portion of the coast which is in direct contact with the open sea and the line marking the seaward limit of inland waters;

(d)The terms “grantees” and “lessees” include (without limiting“Grantees” and “lessees.” the generality thereof) all political subdivisions, municipalities, public and private corporations, and other persons holding grants or leases from a State, or from its predecessor sovereign if legally validated, to lands beneath navigable waters if such grants or leases were issued in accordance with the constitution, statutes, and decisions of the courts of the State in which such lands are situated, or of its predecessor sovereign: *Provided, however*, That nothing herein shall be construed as conferring upon said grantees or lessees any greater rights or interests other than are described herein and in their respective grants from the State, or its predecessor sovereign; 67 Stat. 30

(e)The term “natural resources” includes, without limiting the “Natural resources.”generality thereof, oil, gas, and all other minerals, and fish, shrimp, oysters, clams, crabs, lobsters, sponges, kelp, and other marine animal and plant life but does not include water power, or the use of water for the production of power;

(f)The term “lands beneath navigable waters” does not include the beds of streams in lands now or heretofore constituting a part of the public lands of the United States if such streams were not meandered in connection with the public survey of such lands under the laws of the United States and if the title to the beds of such streams was lawfully patented or conveyed by the United States or any State to any person;

(g)The term “State” means any State of the Union;

(h)The term “person” includes, in addition to a natural person,“Person.” an association, a State, a political subdivision of a State, or a private, public, or municipal corporation. TITLE II lands beneath navigable waters within state boundaries Sec. 3. Rights of the states.—

(a)It is hereby determined and declared to be in the public interestTitle and powers. that

(1)title to and ownership of the lands beneath navigable waters within the boundaries of the respective States, and the natural resources within such lands and waters, and

(2)the right and power to manage, administer, lease, develop, and use the said lands and natural resources all in accordance with applicable State law be, and they are hereby, subject to the provisions hereof, recognized, confirmed, established, and vested in and assigned to the respective States or the persons who were on June 5, 1950, entitled thereto under the law of the respective States in which the land is located, and the respective grantees, lessees, or successors in interest thereof;

(1)The United States hereby releases and relinquishes unto said States and persons aforesaid, except as otherwise reserved herein, all right, title, and interest of the United States, if any it has, in and to Claims of U. S.all said lands, improvements, and natural resources;

(2)the United States hereby releases and relinquishes all claims of the United States, if any it has, for money or damages arising out of any operations of said ‘States or persons pursuant to State authority upon or within said lands and navigable waters; and

(3)the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of the Navy or the Treasurer of the United States shall pay to the respective States or their grantees issuing leases covering such lands or natural resources all moneys paid thereunder to the Secretary of the Interior or to the Secretary of the Navy or to the Treasurer of the United States and subject, to the control of any of them or to the control of the United States on the effective date of this Act, except that portion of such moneys which

(1)is required to be returned to a lessee; or

(2)is deductible as provided by stipulation or agreement between the United States and any of said States;

(c)The rights, powers, and titles hereby recognized, confirmed,Leases in effect on June 5, 1950. established, and vested in and assigned to the respective States and their grantees are subject to each lease executed by a State, or its grantee, which was in force and effect on June 5, 1950, in accordance with its terms and provisions and the laws of the State issuing, or whose grantee issued, such lease, and such rights, powers, and titles are further subject to the rights herein now granted to any person holding any such lease to continue to maintain the lease, and to conduct operations thereunder, in accordance with its provisions, for the full 67 Stat. 31term thereof, and any extensions, renewals, or replacements authorized therein, or heretofore authorized by the laws of the State issuing, or whose grantee issued such lease: *Provided, however*, That, if oil or gas was not being produced from such lease on and before December 11, 1950, or if the primary term of such lease has expired since December 11, 1950, then for it term from the effective date hereof equal to the term remaining unexpired on December 11, 1950, under the provisions of such lease or any extensions, renewals, or replacements authorized therein, or heretofore authorized by the laws of the State issuing, or whose grantee issued, such lease: *Provided, however*, That within ninety days from the effective date hereof

(i)the lessee shall pay to the State or its grantee issuing such lease all rents, royalties, and other sums payable between June 5, 1950, and the effective date hereof, under such lease and the laws of the State issuing or whose grantee issued such lease, except such rents, royalties, and other sums as have been paid to the State, its grantee, the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of the Navy or the Treasurer of the United States and not refunded to the lessee; and

(ii)the lessee shall file with the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of the Navy and with the State issuing or whose grantee issued such lease, instruments consenting to the payment by the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of the Navy or the Treasurer of the United States to the State or its grantee issuing the lease, of all rents, royalties, and other payments under the control of the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of the Navy or the Treasurer of the United States or the United States which have been paid, under the lease, except such rentals, royalties, and other payments as have also been paid by the lessee to the State or its grantee;

(d)Nothing in this Act shall affect the use, development, improvement,Rights of U. S. respecting navigation, etc. or control by or under the constitutional authority of the United States of said lands and waters for the purposes of navigation or flood control or the production of power, or be construed as the release or relinquishment of any rights of the United States arising under the constitutional authority of Congress to regulate or improve navigation, or to provide for flood control, or the production of power;

(e)Nothing in this Act shall be construed as affecting or intended Surface waters west of 98th meridian.to affect or in any way interfere with or modify the laws of the States which lie wholly or in part westward of the ninety-eighth meridian, relating to the ownership and control of ground and surface waters; and the control, appropriation, use, and distribution of such waters shall continue to be in accordance with the laws of such States. Sec. 4. Seaward Boundaries.—The seaward boundary of each original coastal State is hereby approved and confirmed as a line three geographical miles distant from its coast line or, in the case of the Great Lakes, to the international boundary. Any State admitted subsequent to the formation of the Union which has not already done so may extend its seaward boundaries to a line three geographical miles distant from its coast line, or to the international boundaries of the United States in the Great Lakes or any other body of water traversed by such boundaries. Any claim heretofore or hereafter asserted either by constitutional provision, statute, or otherwise, indicating the intent of a State so to extend its boundaries is hereby approved and confirmed, without prejudice to its claim, if any it has, that its boundaries extend beyond that line. Nothing in this section is to be construed as questioning or in any manner prejudicing the existence of any State’s seaward boundary beyond three geographical miles if it was so provided by its constitution or laws prior to or at the time such State became a member of the Union, or if it has been heretofore approved by Congress. 67 Stat. 32 Sec. 5. Exceptions From Operation of Section 3 of This Act.—There is excepted from the operation of section 3 of this Act—

(a)all tracts or parcels of land together with all accretions thereto, resources therein, or improvements thereon, title to which has been lawfully and expressly acquired by the United States from any State or from any person in whom title had vested under the law of the State or of the United States, and all lands which the United States lawfully holds under the law of the State; all lands expressly retained by or ceded to the United States when the State entered the Union (otherwise than by a general retention or cession of lands underlying the marginal sea); all lands acquired by the United States by eminent domain proceedings, purchase, cession, gift, or otherwise in a proprietary capacity; all lands filled in, built up, or otherwise reclaimed by the United States for its own use; and any rights the United States has in lands presently and actually occupied by the United States under claim of right;

(b)such lands beneath navigable waters held, or any interest in which is held by the United States for the benefit of any tribe, band, or group of Indians or for individual Indians; and

(c)all structures and improvements constructed by the United States in the exercise of its navigational servitude. Sec. 6. Powers Retained by the United States.—(a) The United States retains all its navigational servitude and rights in and powers of regulation and control of said lands and navigable waters for the constitutional purposes of commerce, navigation, national defense, and international affairs, all of which shall be paramount to, but shall not be deemed to include, proprietary rights of ownership, or the rights of management, administration, leasing, use, and development of the lands and natural resources which are specifically recognized, confirmed, established, and vested in and assigned to the respective States and others by section 3 of this Act.

(b)In time of war or when necessary for national defense, and the Congress or the President shall so prescribe, the United States shall have the right of first refusal to purchase at the prevailing market price, all or any portion of the said natural resources, or to acquire and use any portion of said lands by proceeding in accordance with due process of law and paying just compensation therefor. Sec. 7. Nothing in this Act shall be deemed to amend, modify, or[5 USC 485](/us/usc/t5/s485); [16 USC 460d, 825a](/us/usc/t16/s460d/825a); [30 USC 35, 36, 38, 43, 46, 47, 51, 52](/us/usc/t30/s35/36/38/43/46/47/51/52); [33 USC 701a–1, 701c, 701f, 701j and notes, 708, 709](/us/usc/t33/s701a/1/701c/701f/701j/708/709); [43 USC 321–323, 325, 327–329, 372–498 passim, 661, 766](/us/usc/t43/s321/323/325/327/329/372/498/661/766). repeal the Acts of July 26, 1866 (14 Stat. 251), July 9, 1870 (16 Stat. 217), March 3, 1877 (19 Stat. 377), June 17, 1902 (32 Stat. 388), and December 22, 1944 (58 Stat. 887), and Acts amendatory thereof or supplementary thereto. Sec. 8. Nothing contained in this Act shall affect such rights, if any, as may have been acquired under any law of the United States by any person in lands subject to this Act and such rights, if any, shall be governed by the law in effect at the time they may have been acquired: *Provided, however*, That nothing contained in this Act is intended or shall be construed as a finding, interpretation, or construction by the Congress that the law under which such rights may be claimed in fact or in law applies to the lands subject to this Act, or authorizes or compels the granting of such rights in such lands, and that the determination of the applicability or effect of such law shall be unaffected by anything contained in this Act. Sec. 9. Nothing in this Act shall be deemed to affect in any wiseResources seaward of Continental Shelf. the rights of the United States to the natural resources of that portion of the subsoil and seabed of the Continental Shelf lying seaward and outside of the area of lands beneath navigable waters, as defined in section 2 hereof, all of which natural resources appertain to the United 67 Stat. 33States, and the jurisdiction and control of which by the United States is hereby confirmed. Sec. 10. Executive Order Numbered 10426, dated January 16, 1953, entitled “Setting Aside Submerged Lands of the Continental Shelf as[18 FR 405](/us/fr/18/405). a Naval Petroleum Reserve”, is hereby revoked insofar as it applies to any lands beneath navigable waters as defined in section 2 hereof. Sec. 11. Separability.—If any provision of this Act, or any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or individual word, or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the validity of the remainder of the Act and of the application of any such provision, section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or individual word to other persons and circumstances shall not be affected thereby; without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if subsection 3

(a)1, 3

(a)2, 3

(b)1, 3

(b)2, 3

(b)3, or 3

(c)or any provision of any of those subsections is held invalid, such subsection or provision shall be held separable and the remaining subsections and provisions shall not be affected thereby. Approved May 22, 1953. Public Law 32: To provide for proper participation by the United States Government in a national celebration of the fiftieth anniversary year of controlled powered flight occurring during the year from December 17, 1952, to December 17, 1953. Public Law 32 Public Law 32 67 Stat. 33 1953-05-22 United States Government Publishing Office text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2026-01-14 83 1 public Public Law 32 chapter 66 JOINT RESOLUTION To provide for proper participation by the United States Government in a national celebration of the fiftieth anniversary year of controlled powered flight occurring during the year from December 17, 1952, to December 17, 1953.May 22, 1953[[S. J. Res. 42](/us/bill/83/sjres/42)] Whereas two Americans, Orville and Wilbur Wright, of Dayton, Ohio, made the world’s first successful controlled powered flight in a heavier-than-air craft at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903; and Whereas American inventiveness and competitive enterprise during the half-century since December 17, 1903, has developed the airplane into one of mankind’s most powerful economic tools, into a social force which has recast the earth, into the most decisive element in the armor of the free world; and Whereas the epochal contribution of the Wright Brothers is an historical milestone in world aviation leadership; and Whereas the National Committee To Observe the Fiftieth Anniversary of Powered Flight desires and the President of the United States has directed the Federal Government to participate in a broad program of commemorative activities; and Whereas it is the judgment of the Congress that a proper coordination of Government participation in this anniversary be achieved: Therefore be it *Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, That the period from December50th anniversary of powered flight. 17, 1952, to December 17, 1953, be, and it is hereby, declared the fiftieth anniversary year of controlled powered flight. The President of the Senate shall appoint six Members and theJoint Committee on Observance. Speaker of the House shall appoint six Members to compose a Joint Committee on Observance of the Fiftieth Anniversary Year of Controlled Powered Flight, and may appoint additional Members of their respective Houses, from time to time, to represent the Congress at principal national events during the fiftieth anniversary year of controlled flight. When requested thereto by the joint committee appointed pursuant to this resolution, the Secretary of Defense is authorized and directed to arrange for the cooperation of and appropriate participation by the 67 Stat. 34various armed services in the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary year of controlled powered flight. Necessary travel expenses of any Member of Congress incidental to the performance of duties and responsibilities pursuant to designation under this resolution shall be paid out of the contingent fund of the House of which such member is a Member, upon vouchers approved by the chairman elected by the joint committee created hereunder. Approved May 22, 1953. Public Law 33: To authorize the Secretary of the Navy to furnish certain supplies and services to foreign naval vessels on a reimbursable basis, and for other purposes. Public Law 33 Public Law 33 67 Stat. 34 1953-05-27 United States Government Publishing Office text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2026-01-14 83 1 public Public Law 33 chapter 67 AN ACT To authorize the Secretary of the Navy to furnish certain supplies and services to foreign naval vessels on a reimbursable basis, and for other purposes.May 27, 1953[[S. 1524](/us/bill/83/s/1524)] *Be it enacted by the Senate and Home of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*,Foreign naval vessels at U. S. ports.Supplies and services. That the Secretary of the Navy, under such regulations as he may prescribe, is authorized to furnish foreign naval vessels at United States ports and naval bases—

(1)routine port services such as pilotage, tugs, garbage removal, line handling, and utilities on a reimbursable basis without an advance of funds when such routine port services are furnished on a like basis to United States naval vessels at ports and naval bases of the country concerned;

(2)miscellaneous supplies such as fuel, provisions, spare parts, and general stores on a reimbursable basis without an advance of funds when a prior agreement conferring reciprocal rights on the United States and covering the reimbursement therefor has been negotiated with the country concerned; and

(3)supplies and services such as overhauling, repairs, and alterations, including the installation of equipment, when funds to cover the estimated cost thereof have been made available in advance. Sec. 2. Payments for the supplies and services furnished pursuantPayments. to paragraphs

(1)and

(2)of the first section of this Act may be credited to current appropriations so as to be available for the same purposes as the appropriation initially charged. Approved May 27, 1953. Public Law 34: To authorize the Secretary of the Navy to convey to the Tarrant County Water Control and Improvement District Numbered 1 certain parcels of land in exchange for other lands and Interests therein at the former United States Marine Corps air station, Eagle Mountain Lake, Texas. Public Law 34 Public Law 34 67 Stat. 34 1953-05-27 United States Government Publishing Office text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2026-01-14 83 1 public Public Law 34 chapter 68 AN ACT To authorize the Secretary of the Navy to convey to the Tarrant County Water Control and Improvement District Numbered 1 certain parcels of land in exchange for other lands and Interests therein at the former United States Marine Corps air station, Eagle Mountain Lake, Texas.May 27, 1953[[S. 1525](/us/bill/83/s/1525)] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in. Congress assembled*,Tarrant County Water Control and Improvement District No. 1, Tex.Conveyance. That, in consideration of the conveyance to the United States of America by the Tarrant County Water Control and Improvement District Numbered 1, of fee simple title to two certain parcels of land and navigation easement rights in other lands described in section 2 hereof, the Secretary of the Navy is authorized to convey to the said Tarrant County Water Control and Improvement District Numbered 1, all right, title, and interest of the United States of America in and to three parcels of 67 Stat. 35land at the former United States Marine Corps air station, Eagle Mountain Lake, Texas, comprising an aggregate of two hundred twenty-five and five one-hundredths acres, more or less, and indicated as sections 1, 2, and 3 of area D on Public Works Drawing Numbered 1847 approved February 10, 1950, a copy of which is on file in the Navy Department, reserving however, to the United States of America, navigation easement rights and such other rights in, to, and over said lands as the Secretary of the Navy may deem proper. Sec. 2. The Secretary of the Navy is authorized to accept the conveyance to the United States of America by the said Tarrant County Water Control and Improvement District Numbered 1 of fee simple title to two parcels of land at the said former United States Marine Corps air station, Eagle Mountain Lake, Texas, containing an aggregate area of two hundred forty-four and thirty one-hundredths acres, more or less, and indicated as areas A and B on said Public Works Drawing Numbered 4847, together with perpetual navigation easement rights acceptable to the Secretary of the Navy over other lands of the said district lying in the flight clearance zone of the east-west runway of the said air station. Approved May 27, 1953. Public Law 35: To amend section 40b of the National Defense Act, as amended (41 Stat. 759, 777), to remove the limitation upon the detail of officers on the active list for recruiting service and for duty with ROTC units. Public Law 35 Public Law 35 67 Stat. 35 1953-05-27 United States Government Publishing Office text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2026-01-14 83 1 public Public Law 35 chapter 69 AN ACT To amend section 40b of the National Defense Act, as amended (41 Stat. 759, 777), to remove the limitation upon the detail of officers on the active list for recruiting service and for duty with ROTC units.May 27, 1953[[S. 1527](/us/bill/83/s/1527)] *Be it enacted by the Senate and Home of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, That section 40b of the National Defense Act (41 Stat. 759, 777), as amended, is further [10 USC 536, 386](/us/usc/t10/s536/386).amended by striking out so much of the second sentence as reads, “and no officer on the active list shall be detailed for recruiting service or for duty at a school or college, not including schools of the service, where officers on the retired list can be secured who are competent for such duty”. Approved May 27, 1953. Public Law 36: To amend the Act authorizing the Secretary’ of War to approve a standard design for a service flag and service lapel button. Public Law 36 Public Law 36 67 Stat. 35 1953-05-27 United States Government Publishing Office text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2026-01-14 83 1 public Public Law 36 chapter 70 AN ACT To amend the Act authorizing the Secretary’ of War to approve a standard design for a service flag and service lapel button.May 27, 1953[[S. 1546](/us/bill/83/s/1546)] *Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled*, That the Act of October 17, 1942 (ch. 615; 56 Stat. 796), is hereby amended by striking the words “Secretary of War” wherever they appear therein and inserting in lieu thereof the words “Secretary of Defense” and striking[36 USC 179–182](/us/usc/t36/s179/182). the words “the current war” appearing at the end of the first and second sections of the Act and inserting in lieu thereof the words “any period of war or hostilities in which the Armed Forces of the United States may be engaged”. Approved May 27, 1953. Public Law 37: To amend the Army-Navy Nurses Act of 1947 to authorize the appointment in the grade of first lieutenant of nurses and medical specialists in the Regular Army and Regular Air Force, and appointment with rank of lieutenant (junior grade) of nurses in the Regular Navy. Public Law 37 Public Law 37 67 Stat. 36 1953-05-27 United States Government Publishing Office text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. Digitization Vendor 2026-01-14 83 1 public

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