SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

By Presidential Proclamation No. 2667 made on September 28, 1945, the United States asserted jurisdiction and control over the natural resources of its continental shelf. Subsequent to that Presidential Proclamation and through its domestic laws, the United States has exercised sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its continental shelf, consistent with international law.

The Department of State on behalf of the Government of the United States hereby announces the outer limits of the continental shelf of the United States of America. The coordinates in this notice describe the outer limits of the continental shelf of the United States in areas beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured, in accordance with international law.^[1] In other areas, the outer limits of the continental shelf of the United States are the same as the limits of the exclusive economic zone of the United States set forth in Public Notice 12243 or any subsequent Public Notice pertaining to the limits of the U.S. exclusive economic zone in such areas that supersedes that notice.

The limits set forth in this notice are subject to future revision, including with respect to maritime boundary delimitation with neighboring countries. The Government of the United States has been, is, and will be engaged in consultations and negotiations with governments of neighboring countries concerning the delimitation of areas subject to the respective jurisdiction of the United States and of these countries. The outer limits of the continental shelf of the United States as set forth in this notice are without prejudice to any negotiations with these countries or to any positions that may have been or may be adopted respecting the limits of maritime jurisdiction in such areas.

The coordinates in this notice are expressed in decimal degrees and have six decimal places. All coordinates use the World Geodetic System 1984 (“WGS 84”) datum, unless otherwise noted. ( printed page 88471) Some coordinates in this notice were derived from treaties that use a different datum or were expressed in degrees, minutes, and seconds. In the case of a discrepancy, the relevant treaties take precedence over the contents of this notice.

The term “straight line” means a geodesic line, which is the shortest distance between two points on the referenced ellipsoid and is the most common method of linking coordinates defining maritime limits and boundaries.

This notice is exempt from the requirements of 5 U.S.C. 553, to the extent those requirements apply, as it relates to a foreign affairs function of the United States. (See Title 5 U.S.C. 553 (a)(1).) This notice “`clearly and directly' involve[s] activities or actions characteristic of the conduct of international relations,” E.B. v. U.S. Dep't of State, 583 F. Supp. 3d 58, 66 (D.D.C. 2022), because it announces the locations of maritime boundaries agreed between the United States and other countries and the geographic limits within which the United States may exercise sovereign rights and jurisdiction in accordance with international law. See, e.g., City of New York v. Permanent Mission of India to United Nations, 618 F.3d 172, 201 (2d Cir. 2010). Since it is exempt from Section 553, the provisions of 5 U.S.C 553(d) do not apply, and this notice is in effect upon publication.

Arctic

In the Arctic, the outer limits of the continental shelf are defined by straight lines connecting the following fixed points:

ARC-OL-001 is located on the 200 nautical mile limit of Canada. ARC-OL-674 is located on the maritime boundary set forth in the U.S.-Russia maritime boundary agreement of 1990.^[2] From ARC-OL-674, the outer limits of the U.S. continental shelf extend south along the 168°58′37″ W meridian, consistent with the U.S.-Russia maritime boundary agreement of 1990.

Atlantic (East Coast)

In the Atlantic (East Coast), the outer limits of the continental shelf are defined by straight lines connecting the following fixed points:

ATL-OL-001 is located on a seaward extension of the maritime boundary between the United States and Canada delimited by a chamber of the International Court of Justice in 1984.^[3] ATL-OL-176 is located on the 200 nautical mile limit of The Bahamas.

Bering Sea

In the Bering Sea, the outer limits of the continental shelf are defined by lines and arcs connecting the following fixed points:

Outer limit points BER-OL-001 to BER-OL-021 correspond to boundary points 36 to 56 of the U.S.-Russia boundary agreement of 1990.^[4] Consistent with that agreement:

• Between BER-OL-001 and BER-OL-002, the outer limit “extends along an arc with a radius of 200 nautical miles and a center at 60°38′23″ N, 173°06′54″ W.”
• Between BER-OL-002 and BER-OL-003, the outer limit “extends . . . along the rhumb line, defined by the following points: 64°05′08″ N, 172°00′00″ W, 53°43′42″ N, 170°18′31″ E.”
• Between BER-OL-003 and BER-OL-004, the outer limit “extends along an arc with a radius of 200 nautical miles and a center at 62°16′09″ N, 179°05′34″ E.”
• Outer limit points BER-OL-004 to BER-OL-021 are connected by straight lines.

Eastern Gulf of Mexico

In the Eastern Gulf of Mexico, the outer limits of the continental shelf are defined by straight lines connecting the following fixed points:

Outer limit points GME-OL-001 to GME-OL-007 correspond to boundary points 1 to 7 of the 2017 U.S.-Mexico maritime boundary treaty.^[5] Outer limit points GME-OL-008 and GME-OL-007 correspond to boundary points 1 and 2 of the 2017 U.S.-Cuba maritime boundary treaty.^[6]

Western Gulf of Mexico

In the Western Gulf of Mexico, the outer limits of the continental shelf are defined by straight lines connecting the following fixed points:

Outer limit points GMW-OL-001 to GMW-OL-016 correspond to the 16 boundary points set forth in the 2000 U.S.-Mexico maritime boundary treaty.^[7] Coordinates are in North American Datum 1983 (NAD 83), which are considered equivalent to WGS 84 for purposes of delineating the outer limits of the U.S. continental shelf.

Mariana Islands

In the area northeast of the Mariana Islands, the outer limits of the continental shelf are defined by a straight line connecting the following fixed points:

Outer limit point MAR-OL-001 is located on the 200 nautical mile limit of Japan. Outer limit point MAR-OL-002 is located on the 200 nautical mile (exclusive economic zone) limit of the United States. ( printed page 88476)

Pacific (West Coast)

In the Pacific (West Coast), the outer limits of the continental shelf are defined by straight lines connecting the following fixed points:

PAC-OL-001 and PAC-OL-382 are located on the 200 nautical mile (exclusive economic zone) limit of the United States.

88 FR 88470