Legal factoid

Klinotaxis · 2017-02-19 23:07:53

The US has an in-force Guano Islands Act, 48 USC 8, which lets any citizen claim any island anywhere that isn't claimed by anyone else, for the purpose of mining bird shit.

Current claims under the law include Midway Atoll, known for being the site of a decisive pacific war battle

Imipolex G · 2017-02-19 23:12:25

@Crystal

Princess Alice · 2017-02-19 23:56:08

I like that this got its own thread.

Crystal · 2017-02-19 23:56:29

I'm just that important.

glennmagusharvey · 2017-02-19 23:59:06

We should dump a load of dirt into the Persian Gulf off the coast of UAE and then have birds defecate on it and then claim it before UAE does.

Why off the coast of UAE? Just to stick it to UAE and their artificial island projects. Feel free to substitute in any other country you don't like that has a water body within or next to it.

Salix Babylonika · 2017-02-20 02:29:29

do you....do you get to own the island, too?

can I like

make a guano farm on one half of the island, and my house on the other half

Klinotaxis · 2017-02-20 02:50:04

1414 said:
The discoverer, or his assigns, being citizens of the United States, may be allowed, at the pleasure of Congress, the exclusive right of occupying such island, rocks, or keys, for the purpose of obtaining guano, and of selling and delivering the same to citizens of the United States, to be used therein, and may be allowed to charge and receive for every ton thereof delivered alongside a vessel, in proper tubs, within reach of ship’s tackle, a sum not exceeding $8 per ton for the best quality, or $4 for every ton taken while in its native place of deposit.

so write your rep, and keep in mind that once the guano's gone there's no reason for them to keep the island

Salix Babylonika · 2017-02-20 02:51:26

I am glad that they are described as "rocks".

also "at the pleasure of Congress" lmao

Klinotaxis · 2017-02-20 03:07:20

well that's because the next bit authorizes the president to deploy the navy to defend you. important

Salix Babylonika · 2017-02-20 03:10:22

Cool

Viani · 2017-02-20 04:07:49

?rel=0&autoplay=1

Klinotaxis · 2017-02-20 04:17:54

Am i known for this

Viani · 2017-02-20 04:21:37

I actually just wanted to post this because I remembered it

and this was the shortest thread

Klinotaxis · 2017-02-20 04:39:11

understandable

i'll just have to find peace with being Bird Shit Guy

Viani · 2017-02-20 04:48:59

So, is there any laws against making your own islands?

Yarrun XIX · 2017-02-20 05:01:41

Probably. At the very least, it probably qualifies as littering

Klinotaxis · 2017-02-20 05:28:12

actually one of the wars the US could get involved in in the near future is over making your own islands

Calica · 2017-02-20 06:02:58

the chinese ones, right?

Klinotaxis · 2017-02-20 06:10:23

yeah

Legal factoid

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