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

• 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

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.