P U B L I C L A W 97-^22—OCT. 15, 1982
96 STAT. 1583
public works on rivers and harbors, and for other purposes", enacted August 18, 1894 (33 U.S.C. 499; 28 Stat. 362), is amended— (1) by inserting "(a)" after "SEC. 5."; (2) by striking out "or who shall unreasonably delay the opening of said draw after reasonable signal shall have been given," in the second sentence; (3) by striking out "section" and inserting in lieu thereof "subsection"; (4) by striking out "any violation" and inserting in lieu thereof "any willful violation"; and (5) by adding at the end thereof the following new subsections: "(b) No vessel owner or operator shall signal a drawbridge to open for any nonstructural vessel appurtenance which is not essential to' navigation or which is easily lowered and no person shall unreasonably delay the opening of a draw after the signal required by rules or regulations under this section has been given. The Secretary of Transportation shall issue rules and regulations to implement this subsection. "(c) Whoever violates any rule or regulation issued under subsection (a) or (b), shall be liable to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000. No penalty may be assessed under this subsection until the person charged is given notice and an opportunity for a hearing on the charge. The Secretary of Transportation may assess and collect any civil penalty incurred under this subsection and, in his discretion, may remit, mitigate, or compromise any penalty until the matter is referred to the Attorney General. If a person against whom a civil penalty is assessed under this subsection fails to pay that penalty, an action may be commenced in the district court of the United States for any district in which the violation occurs for such penalty.". (b) Section 18 of the Act entitled "An Act making appropriations for the construction, repair, and preservation of certain public works on rivers and harbors, and for other purposes", enacted March 3, 1899 (30 Stat. 1153; 33 U.S.C. 502), is amended by inserting "(a)" after "SEC. 18.", by striking out "Secretary of War" wherever it appears and inserting in lieu thereof "Secretary of Transportation", by striking out "recommended by the Chief of Engineers", and by adding at the end thereof the following new subsections: "(b) No owner or operator of any bridge, drawbridge, or causeway shall endanger, unreasonably obstruct, or make hazardous the free navigation of any navigable water of the United States by reason of the failure to keep the bridge, drawbridge, or causeway and any accessory works in proper repair. "(c) Whoever violates any provision of this section, or any order issued under this section, shall be liable to a civil penalty of not more than $1,000. Each day a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense. No penalty may be assessed under this subsection until the person charged is given notice and an opportunity for a hearing on the charge. The Secretary of Transportation may assess and collect any civil penalty incurred under this subsection and, in his discretion, may remit, mitigate, or compromise any penalty until the matter is referred to the Attorney General. If a person against whom a civil penalty is assessed under this subsection fails to pay that penalty, an action may be commenced in the district court of the United States for any district in which the violation occurs for such penalty.".
Rules and regulations. Violation, penalty.
Violation, penalty.
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