Obtaining Marine Minerals
Preparation of a noncompetitive agreement is a multi-step process that typically takes 12-14 months to complete, after environmental consultations (such as those held under the Endangered Species Act and the National Historic Preservation Act) are concluded. Each project requires a unique level of coordination between local, state, federal and private
sector partners. For BOEM, the major phases involve:
MMP Leasing Process For
a Locality
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- review of technical and environmental information in the
request and project;
- consultation on endangered species and essential fish
habitat;
- review of archaeological surveys;
- review of air quality data;
- review of Coastal Zone Management Act consistency;
- preparation of an environmental analysis (Environmental
Assessment (EA) or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS));
- signing of the agreement instrument (Memorandum of
Agreement or Lease) with terms and conditions, and
- formal notification of House and Senate committees when the agreement has been signed (for
authorized U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Civil Works projects).
MMP Leasing Process for
USACE Civil Works Projects
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For noncompetitive negotiated agreements, the Marine
Minerals Program, with the assistance from other headquarters
branches and regional offices, may prepare its own National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document, cooperate with
another Federal agency, or coordinate with a non-federal
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 Chief of the Marine
Minerals Branch at (703) 787-1851. We would be happy to provide you further guidance to help you
through the process. We can also provide a list of environmental information that we require, a copy of
Public Law 103-426, and an example of a recent noncompetitive sand agreement. In addition, 30 CFR
part 580 describes the procedures for obtaining authorizations to conduct pre-agreement geological and
geophysical surveys.
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.