[Federal Register: December 5, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 234)]
[Notices]
[Page 63218-63219]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05de01-35]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Deep Seabed Mining: Proposed Extension and Revision of
Exploration License
AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S.
Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of Receipt of Application to Extend Deep Seabed Mining
Exploration License USA-1 and Revise Exploration Plan.
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[[Page 63219]]
SUMMARY: On September 20, 2001, Ocean Minerals Company (OMCO) submitted
to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) an
application for a five-year extension of Deep Seabed Mining Exploration
License USA-1, pursuant to sections 105(c)(2) and 107(a) of the Deep
Seabed Hard Mineral Resources (DSHMRA, 30 U.S.C. 1401 et seq.) and 15
CFR 970.515. OMCO has also proposed related exploration plan revisions.
NOAA has determined that this proposal constitutes an application
for a major but not a significant revision to the exploration plan and
to the terms, conditions, and restrictions (TCRs) of the license under
15 CFR 970.513, and is commencing public review procedures as
prescribed in 15 CFR 970.514(b). Pursuant to the DSHMRA and 15 CFR part
970, on August 29, 1984, NOAA issued a license to OMCO to engage in
deep seabed mining exploration in the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone
area of the Northeastern Equatorial Pacific Ocean. Since that time, the
licensee, subject to the TCRs of the license and the regulatory
requirements, has diligently pursued the activities approved in the
exploration plan of the license, directed toward application for a
commercial permit.
In 1991, NOAA approved a revision to the exploration plan for USA-I
and extended the original license for an additional five years. This
exploration plan is a two-phased plan. During Phase I, OMCO's
activities are designed to monitor legal, technical and political
developments pertaining to deep seabed mining; analyze environmental
and nodule resource data; and, reevaluate the potential for commercial
mining. During Phase II OMCO's activities are directed toward survey
operations, upgrading the exploration ship and equipment, and
delineation of the ore body.
OMCO is applying for a five-year extension of the license based on
significantly changed market conditions, pursuant to 15 CFR 970.515.
Section 107(a) of the DSHMRA provides that the Administration shall
extend a license, on terms consistent with the Act and NOAA's
regulations, if the licensee has complied with the license and
associated exploration plan. Section 105(c)(2) of the DSHMRA authorizes
NOAA to approve a license revision upon a finding that the revision
will comply with the requirements of the Act and implementing
regulations. A revision to the exploration plan is being requested to
reflect accomplishment of objectives in Phase I of OMCO's current plan.
For example, the substantial amounts of data received as a result of
the exchange of exploration data between consortia during settlement of
overlapping sites is sufficient to determine if and at which locations
attractive mine sites occur in USA-I. This allows survey operations and
upgrading of the mine ship and equipment to be delayed until Phase II
when detailed ore body delineation occurs in conjunctions with the
initiation of scale-up pilot plant operations.
This revision requests an extension of the term of the license
until 2005 and proposes to extend Phase I for five years and to delay
the initiation of the survey operations, ore body delineation and
upgrade ship and equipment activities of Phase II. During the five-year
extension. OMCO will monitor domestic and international activities in
the scientific, engineering, and financial fields that are important to
the future development of ocean mining. This will help to maintain
industry viability and provide information necessary to assess the
timeliness for inauguration of Phase II. OMCO will also continue to
monitor new environmental studies and data collection.
Subject to 15 CFR 971.802, interested persons will be permitted to
examine the application for extension at the below listed address.
DATES: Individuals or organizations wishing to submit comments on the
application should do so by February 4, 2002.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be made to John King, Acting Chief, Coastal
Programs Division (N/ORM3), Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource
Management, NOS, NOAA, 1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland,
tel. 301-713-3155 extension 195, e-mail john.king@noaa.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Flanagan, Coastal Programs
Division (NORM/3), Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management,
NOS, NOAA, 1305 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910, tel.
(301) 713-3155, x201, e-mail joseph.flanagan@noaa.gov.
Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog 11.419 Coastal Zone Management
Program Administration.
Dated: November 28, 2001.
Jamison S. Hawkins,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone
Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department
of Commerce.
[FR Doc. 01-30150 Filed 12-4-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-08-M