Obtaining Marine Minerals
Preparation of a noncompetitive agreement is a 13-step process that typically takes 12-14 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 Marine Minerals Program, 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).
If you need information on the Marine Mineral leasing process or how to get started please contact the Leasing Division at (703) 787 1215. We would be happy to provide you with a set of guidelines to help you through the process. 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 BOEM, 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, BOEM 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.