---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 U.S.C. § 2621"
title: "33"
title_heading: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
number: "2621"
heading: "Study and recommendations"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/33/2621"
units:
  - "Chapter 39 — Shore Protection from Municipal or Commercial Waste"
  - "Subchapter II — Related Provisions"
---

# §2621. Study and recommendations

- (a) **Study—** The [Administrator](/usc/33/2601.md?p=1), in consultation with the [Secretary](/usc/33/426h–1.md?p=2) of Transportation, shall conduct a study to determine the need for, and effectiveness of additional tracking systems for vessels to assure that [municipal or commercial waste](/usc/33/2601.md?p=3) is not deposited in [coastal waters](/usc/33/2601.md?p=2). In conducting this study, the [Administrator](/usc/33/2601.md?p=1) shall use the data collected from its permitting and enforcement activities under this chapter. In determining the effectiveness of tracking systems, the [Administrator](/usc/33/2601.md?p=1) shall rely on the information provided by the [Secretary](/usc/33/426h–1.md?p=2) under [subsection (b)](#b) of this section. The report shall include a recommendation whether additional tracking systems are needed. This study shall be submitted to Congress within 24 months after November 18, 1988.
- (b) **Recommendations—** The [Secretary](/usc/33/426h–1.md?p=2) shall provide recommendations to the [Administrator](/usc/33/2601.md?p=1) concerning the various tracking systems that might be applicable to vessels transporting [municipal or commercial waste](/usc/33/2601.md?p=3) which the [Secretary](/usc/33/426h–1.md?p=2) currently is studying. The [Secretary](/usc/33/426h–1.md?p=2) shall consider the relative effectiveness of various systems and the relative costs of the systems both to the United States Government and to the vessel owner.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 100–688, title IV, § 4201, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4159.)