# 33 U.S.C. § 1415: Penalties

> Federal · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s1415

## Section

- **Citation:** 33 U.S.C. § 1415
- **Heading:** Penalties
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** April 17, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 33—NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS > CHAPTER 27—OCEAN DUMPING > SUBCHAPTER I—REGULATION

## Text

Any person who violates any provision of this subchapter, or of the regulations promulgated under this subchapter, or a permit issued under this subchapter shall be liable to a civil penalty of not more than $50,000 for each violation to be assessed by the Administrator. In addition, any person who violates this subchapter or any regulation issued under this subchapter by engaging in activity involving the dumping of medical waste shall be liable for a civil penalty of not more than $125,000 for each violation, to be assessed by the Administrator after written notice and an opportunity for a hearing. No penalty shall be assessed until the person charged shall have been given notice and an opportunity for a hearing of such violation. In determining the amount of the penalty, the gravity of the violation, prior violations, and the demonstrated good faith of the person charged in attempting to achieve rapid compliance after notification of a violation shall be considered by said Administrator. For good cause shown, the Administrator may remit or mitigate such penalty. Upon failure of the offending party to pay the penalty, the Administrator may request the Attorney General to commence an action in the appropriate district court of the United States for such relief as may be appropriate.

( Pub. L. 92–532, title I, § 105 , Oct. 23, 1972 , 86 Stat. 1057 ; Pub. L. 100–688, title III, § 3201(c) , (d), Nov. 18, 1988 , 102 Stat. 4153 ; Pub. L. 102–580, title V, § 508 , Oct. 31, 1992 , 106 Stat. 4869 .)

## Nearby sections

- [33 U.S.C. § 1411 Prohibited acts](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s1411.md)
- [33 U.S.C. § 1412 Dumping permit program](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s1412.md)
- [33 U.S.C. § 1412a Emergency dumping of industrial waste](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s1412a.md)
- [33 U.S.C. § 1413 Dumping permit program for dredged mate­rial](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s1413.md)
- [33 U.S.C. § 1414 Permit conditions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s1414.md)
- [33 U.S.C. § 1414a Special provisions regarding certain dumping sites](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s1414a.md)
- [33 U.S.C. § 1414b Ocean dumping of sewage sludge and industrial waste](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s1414b.md)
- [33 U.S.C. § 1414c Prohibition on disposal of sewage sludge at landfills on Staten Island](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s1414c.md)
- [33 U.S.C. § 1415 Penalties](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s1415.md)
- [33 U.S.C. § 1416 Relationship to other laws](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s1416.md)
- [33 U.S.C. § 1417 Enforcement](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s1417.md)
- [33 U.S.C. § 1418 Regulations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s1418.md)
- [33 U.S.C. § 1419 International cooperation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s1419.md)
- [33 U.S.C. § 1420 Authorization of appropriations](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s1420.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/usc_t33_s1415. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.