---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 U.S.C. § 1511"
title: "33"
title_heading: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
number: "1511"
heading: "Suspension or termination of licenses"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/33/1511"
units:
  - "Chapter 29 — Deepwater Ports"
---

# §1511. Suspension or termination of licenses

- (a) **Proceedings by Attorney General; venue; conditions subsequent—** Whenever a [licensee](/usc/33/1502.md?p=11) fails to comply with any applicable provision of this chapter, or any applicable rule, regulation, restriction, or condition issued or imposed by the [Secretary](/usc/33/1502.md?p=17) under the authority of this chapter, the Attorney General, at the request of the [Secretary](/usc/33/1502.md?p=17), may file an appropriate action in the United States district court nearest to the location of the proposed or actual [deepwater port](/usc/33/1502.md?p=9), as the case may be, or in the district in which the [licensee](/usc/33/1502.md?p=11) resides or may be found, to—
  - (1) suspend the license; or
  - (2) if such failure is knowing and continues for a period of thirty days after the [Secretary](/usc/33/1502.md?p=17) mails notification of such failure by registered letter to the [licensee](/usc/33/1502.md?p=11) at his record post office address, revoke such license.

  No proceeding under this subsection is necessary if the license, by its terms, provides for automatic suspension or termination upon the occurrence of a fixed or agreed upon condition, event, or time.

- (b) **Public health or safety; danger to environment; completion of proceedings—** If the [Secretary](/usc/33/1502.md?p=17) determines that immediate suspension of the [construction](/usc/33/1502.md?p=7) or operation of a [deepwater port](/usc/33/1502.md?p=9) or any component thereof is necessary to protect public health or safety or to eliminate imminent and substantial danger to the environment, he shall order the [licensee](/usc/33/1502.md?p=11) to cease or alter such [construction](/usc/33/1502.md?p=7) or operation pending the completion of a judicial proceeding pursuant to [subsection (a)](#a) of this section.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 93–627, § 12, Jan. 3, 1975, 88 Stat. 2138.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Codification

In subsec. (a), “chapter” substituted for “title” to conform to other substitutions for “Act” and as reflecting intent of Congress manifest throughout Pub. L. 93–627 in the use of the term “Act”.