33 U.S.C. § 476 — Restrictions on tanker traffic in Puget Sound and adjacent waters

(a) Congress makes three findings: the navigable waters of Puget Sound in Washington State, and the natural resources there, are a fragile and important national asset; Puget Sound and its nearby shore are threatened by growing tanker traffic carrying crude oil, which raises the risk of ship collisions and oil spills; and it is necessary to limit this tanker traffic to protect Puget Sound's waters, its natural resources, and the nearby shore from environmental harm. (b) Starting October 18, 1977, no federal officer, employee, or official may issue, renew, grant, or approve any permit, license, or other authority to build, renovate, modify, or otherwise change a terminal, dock, or other facility in, on, or next to (or affecting) the navigable waters of Puget Sound, or any other navigable waters in Washington State east of Port Angeles, if doing so would or could increase the amount of crude oil that facility can handle beyond what it could handle as of October 18, 1977. The one exception is oil that will be refined for use within Washington State.