9a 



more than 100 fathoms (600 feet) of water is considered as the continental 

 shelf. 



Petroleum geologists believe that portions of the continental shelf beyond the 

 3-mile limit contain \ialuable oil deposits. The study of subsurface structures 

 associated with oil deposits which have been discovered along the Gulf Coast 

 of Texas, for instance, indicates that corresponding deposits may underlie the 

 offshore or submerged land. The trend of oil-productive salt domes extends 

 directly into the Gulf of Mexico off the Texas coast. Oil is also being taken 

 at present from wells within the 3-mile limit off the coast of California. It is 

 quite possible, geologists say, that the oil deposits extend beyond this traditional 

 limit of national jurisdiction. 



Valuahle deposits of minerals other than oil may also be expected to be found, 

 in these submerged areas. Ore mines now extend under the sea from the coasts 

 of England, Chile, and other countries. 



While asserting jurisdiction and control of the United States over the mineral 

 resources of the conltinental shelf, the proclamation in no wise abridges the 

 right of free and unimpeded navigation of waters of the character of high seas 

 above the shelf, nor does it extend the present limits of the territorial waters 

 of the United States. 



The advance of technology prior to the present war had already made possible 

 the exploitation of a limited amount of minerals from submerged lands within 

 the 3-mile limit. The rapid development of technical knowledge and equip- 

 ment occasioned by the war, now makes poissible the determination of the re- 

 sources of the submerged lands outside of the 3-mile limit. With the need for the 

 discovery of additional resources of petroleum and other minerals it became 

 advisable for the United States to make possible orderly development of these 

 resources. The proclamation of the President is designed to serve this puri>ose. 



