[LAST CALL] Artificial Islands Bill

[New Kowloon Bay]

Second time's the charm, right?

I fixed some formatting issues, the lack of "member nation" in defining an artificial island, and hopefully cleared up the situation regarding an artificial islands declaring independence. I am seeking guidance on that last issue, because I think the way I currently have it is somewhat cluttered.

Old thread: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=556748

Category: Free Trade| Strength: Mild

Recognizing the use of artificial islands for various purposes, such as tourism, transport and energy production,

Concerned that without proper regulation, artificial islands may cause incompatible claims on marine resources between countries, leading to conflict,

Believing that artificial islands should be constructed in full compliance with international maritime law,

The General Assembly:

1. Defines an “artificial island,” for the purposes of this resolution, as new dry land in a member nation’s territory permanently affixed to the seabed from a body of water, other than land naturally formed,
   
2. Requires that these artificial islands, when constructed, not interfere with sea lines essential for navigation,
   
3. Declares that the existence of any artificial island cannot be the basis for a claim of jurisdiction over the surrounding waters, and
   
4. Provides that, in cases where disputes arise regarding the jurisdiction of waters surrounding artificial islands, influence of artificial islands upon existing maritime borders, or situations where such islands declare independence, the World Assembly Nautical Commission shall provide arbitration in these disputes, unless the nations affected freely decide on an alternative agreement.

[The Overmind]

If the artificial island is in the member nation's territory, how can it interfere with international shipping routes other than ones the nation allows to pass through their territory and may otherwise cease to allow to pass through their territory at any point?

[New Kowloon Bay]

If the artificial island is in the member nation's territory, how can it interfere with international shipping routes other than ones the nation allows to pass through their territory and may otherwise cease to allow to pass through their territory at any point?

I guess I'll remove that part.

[New Kowloon Bay]

Bump/

[New Kowloon Bay]

bump

[New Kowloon Bay]

imma do one more bump then move to last call

[Barfleur]

The General Assembly:

1. Defines an “artificial island,” for the purposes of this resolution, as new dry land in a member nation’s territory permanently affixed to the seabed from a body of water, other than land naturally formed,
   
2. Requires that these artificial islands, when constructed, not interfere with sea lines essential for navigation,
   
3. Declares that the existence of any artificial island cannot be the basis for a claim of jurisdiction over the surrounding waters, and
   
4. Provides that, in cases where disputes arise regarding the jurisdiction of waters surrounding artificial islands, influence of artificial islands upon existing maritime borders, or situations where such islands declare independence, the World Assembly Nautical Commission shall provide arbitration in these disputes, unless the nations affected freely decide on an alternative agreement.

OOC: Some stylistic and technical changes to consider. This does not affect the substance of your proposal.
IC: "Barfleur supports this proposal. We find the unregulated construction of artificial islands for the purpose of expanding territorial jurisdiction to be deeply troubling, and welcome international efforts to control this practice. However, we wonder whether clause 4 as written creates an unfair disadvantage to nations formed by the construction of an island or island chain, say, 500 years ago, when there is no real need to treat such nations differently at that point."

[New Kowloon Bay]

OOC: Some stylistic and technical changes to consider. This does not affect the substance of your proposal.
IC: "Barfleur supports this proposal. We find the unregulated construction of artificial islands for the purpose of expanding territorial jurisdiction to be deeply troubling, and welcome international efforts to control this practice. However, we wonder whether clause 4 as written creates an unfair disadvantage to nations formed by the construction of an island or island chain, say, 500 years ago, when there is no real need to treat such nations differently at that point."

Thanks for the stylistic changes. I have incorporated them into the proposal.

Regarding your comments on clause 4, I would say if these nations were created 500 years ago, and have no disagreements with their neighbors over their maritime borders, I feel that would be regarded as a successful "alternative agreement" between the nations and thus there isn't a need for the WANC to step in.

[New Kowloon Bay]

Last call.

[New Kowloon Bay]

Bump.

[Simone Republic]

What about an artificial peninsula? I mean, your nation is called "New Kowloon Bay" and that area is landfilled from Kowloon Bay itself. I am thinking of things like Changi or Chep Lap Kok (for that matter), or any of the loads of Japanese airports that are built as islands to avoid noise complaints. If they are connected by a bridge, that's an island - what if they are connected by a causeway?

[New Kowloon Bay]

What about an artificial peninsula? I mean, your nation is called "New Kowloon Bay" and that area is landfilled from Kowloon Bay itself. I am thinking of things like Changi or Chep Lap Kok (for that matter), or any of the loads of Japanese airports that are built as islands to avoid noise complaints. If they are connected by a bridge, that's an island - what if they are connected by a causeway?

I would think that an artificial peninsula would fall within this bill, as it is still "new dry land...permanently affixed to the seabed..."

Although I'm not a construction expert, from a quick look at causeways, I would think that the causeway itself may be regulated within the bill, as looking at constructions like the Afsluitdijk in the Netherlands, it seems like the causeway itself would be "new dry land" under the bill.