Regulations last checked for updates: Nov 23, 2024

Title 33 - Navigation and Navigable Waters last revised: Nov 21, 2024
§ 328.4 - Limits of jurisdiction.

(a) Territorial Seas. The limit of jurisdiction in the territorial seas is measured from the baseline in a seaward direction a distance of three nautical miles. (See 33 CFR 329.12)

(b) Tidal waters of the United States. The landward limits of jurisdiction in tidal waters:

(1) Extends to the high tide line, or

(2) When adjacent non-tidal waters of the United States are present, the jurisdiction extends to the limits identified in paragraph (c) of this section.

(c) Non-tidal waters of the United States. The limits of jurisdiction in non-tidal waters:

(1) In the absence of adjacent wetlands, the jurisdiction extends to the ordinary high water mark, or

(2) When adjacent wetlands are present, the jurisdiction extends beyond the ordinary high water mark to the limit of the adjacent wetlands.

(3) When the water of the United States consists only of wetlands the jurisdiction extends to the limit of the wetland.

authority: 33 U.S.C. 1251
source: 51 FR 41250, Nov. 13, 1986, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 33 CFR 328.4