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Photograph of offshore inspectors.Photograph of a seabird.Photograph of an ice island.Photograph of a fish.Photograph of a platform at sunset.Photograph of fish feeding beneath a platform.Photograph of a welder working on an offshore platform.
 Sand and Gravel Program
 
Obtaining Marine Minerals

The Guidelines contain detailed information on:

bullet Guidelines for Prospecting and Scientific Research on the OCS
 
bullet Conveyance of Sand and Gravel by Negotiated (Non-competitive) Agreement
 
bullet Conveyance of Rights to Sand and Gravel and Other Non-Energy Minerals by Competitive Lease Sale
 
bullet Example of a Negotiated Noncompetitive Lease Agreement

Image of the cover of "Guidelines for Obtaining Sand, Gravel, and Other Non-Energy Mineral Resources from the Outer Continental Shelf."Preparation of a noncompetitive agreement is a 13-step process that typically takes 10-14 months to complete. It involves technical and environmental review of the request and project, consultation on endangered species and essential fish habitat, completion of a MOA with any Federal agency participating in the project, reviews of archaeological surveys, air quality data, and Coastal Zone Management Act consistency preparation of an environmental analysis (EA or EIS), signing of the agreement instrument with terms and conditions, and formal notification of House and Senate committees when the agreement has been signed.

For noncompetitive negotiated agreements, the MMP, with the assistance from other Headquarter branches and Regional Offices, may prepare its own NEPA Document, collaborate with another Federal agency, or cooperate with the agreement recipient if a contractor is preparing the NEPA document (EA or EIS). Guidelines for obtaining sand, gravel, and other non-energy mineral resources from the Federal OCS may be downloaded. The guidelines include a list of environmental information required, a copy of Public Law 103-426, and an example of a recent noncompetitive sand agreement. The Guidelines also contain procedures for obtaining permits and notifications for conducting pre-agreement geological and geophysical surveys.

The purpose of the guidelines is to provide information and guidance for those interested in obtaining sand, gravel and other non-energy mineral resources from the Federal Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).

The guidelines were prepared by the Minerals Management Service (MMS), the bureau within the Department of the Interior (DOI) responsible for administering sand and gravel, oil and gas and other mineral development on the OCS. As steward for these resources, the MMS must ensure that the removal of these mineral resources from the OCS is done in a safe and environmentally sound manner and that any potential adverse impacts to the marine, coastal and human environments are avoided or minimized.

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Last Updated: 03/05/2009, 09:25 AM

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