I 112th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 581 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES February 9, 2011 Mrs. Christensen introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Resources A BILL To convey certain submerged lands to the Government of the Virgin Islands, and for other purposes.

1.

Conveyance of submerged lands to the Government of the Virgin Islands

(a)

In general

Subject to valid existing rights, all of the right, title, and interest of the United States in and to submerged lands in the area between the island of Saint Croix and the islands of Saint Thomas and Saint John is conveyed to the Government of the Virgin Islands to be administered in trust for the benefit of the people thereof. (b)

Definitions

For purposes of this section: (1)

Area between the island of Saint Croix and the islands of Saint Thomas and Saint John

The term area between the island of Saint Croix and the islands of Saint Thomas and Saint John means the area that is— (A)outside of the area conveyed to the Virgin Islands by section 1 of Public Law 93–435 (48 U.S.C. 1705); (B)north of Saint Croix; (C)south of Saint Thomas and Saint John; (D)east of the line running from the westernmost point on the coastline of Saint Croix at mean high tide to the westernmost point on the coastline of Saint Thomas at mean high tide; and (E)west of the line running from the easternmost point on the coastline of Saint Croix at mean high tide to the easternmost point on the coastline of Saint John at mean high tide. (2)

Saint Croix, Saint Thomas, Saint John

The terms Saint Croix, Saint Thomas, and Saint John mean the islands of Saint Croix, Saint Thomas, and Saint John, respectively, in the United States Virgin Islands.

2.

Establishment of territorial waters of the Virgin Islands

For purposes of the laws of the United States, and except as otherwise provided by international law or any international agreement in force for the United States, the territorial waters of the United States Virgin Islands shall consist of all waters in the belt of the seas measured from the line of ordinary low water along that portion of the coast which is in direct contact with the open sea and the line marking the seaward limit of inland waters, and extending seaward a distance of 9 miles.