TRUMAN PROCLAMATION ON THE CONTINENTAL SHELF

TRUMAN PROCLAMATION ON THE CONTINENTAL SHELF
Proclamation 2667


Policy of the United State with Respect to
the Natural 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 that with modem 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 laying 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 (if 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 I 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 as appertaining to the United States, subject to its 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 State 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 seat of the United States of America to he affixed.

DONE at, the City of Washington this 28th day of September, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and forty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America. the one hundred and seventieth.

HARRY S. TRUMAN

By the President:

DEAN ACHESON,
Acting Secretary of State

*U.S. Department of State, Bulletin, vol. 13, no. 327 (September 30, 1945), p. 485.