Deep Seabed Mining Regulations for Exploration Licenses

Forms and Documents

Document Name	Status
0648-0145 30-day 89 FR 77103 2024-0920.pdf Supplementary Document	2024-09-20
0648-0145 60-day 89 FR 41945 2024-0514.pdf Supplementary Document	2024-09-17
0648-0145 Supporting Statement Part A.docx Supporting Statement A	2024-09-17

IC Document Collections

IC ID	Document Title	Status
4015	Deep Seabed Mining Exploration License Annual Reports Other-Regulation	Modified
185208	Deep Seabed Mining Exploration License Extensions Other-Regulation	Modified

ICR Details

OMB Control No: 0648-0145	ICR Reference No: 202409-0648-009
Status: Received in OIRA	Previous ICR Reference No: 202107-0648-009
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Deep Seabed Mining Regulations for Exploration Licenses
Type of Information Collection: Extension without change of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular	Date Submitted to OIRA: 09/20/2024

	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	36 Months From Approved	10/31/2024
Responses	2	2
Time Burden (Hours)	270	60
Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0

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Abstract: This request is for the extension of the currently approved information collection. No changes have been made to the collection requirements. NOAA’s regulations at 15 CFR part 970 govern the issuing and monitoring of exploration and production licenses under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act. The NOAA Office for Coastal Management is responsible for approving and administering licenses. Any persons seeking a license must submit certain information that allows NOAA to ensure the applicant meets the standards of the Act. Licensees are required to conduct monitoring and make reports, and they may request revisions, transfers, or extensions of licenses. Information required for the issuance and extension of licenses is provided to fulfill statutory requirements to ensure that license applicants have identified areas of interest for deep seabed hard mineral exploration and production; developed plans for those activities; have the financial resources available to conduct proposed activity; and have considered the effects of the activity on the natural and human environment. This information is used to determine whether licenses should be granted or extended. Exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act are only for activities by U.S. citizens in international waters. No license or permit applications have been received since the early 1980s, and none are expected during this collection period. Two exploration licenses issued in the early 1980s are held by Lockheed Martin Corporation. The licenses are subject to annual reporting requirements and extension requests every five years. No at-sea exploration is authorized under the licenses without further authorization from NOAA.

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Authorizing Statute(s): US Code: 30 USC 1401-1473 Name of Law: Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act
   PL: Pub.L. 96 - 283 102, 105, 113, 114 Name of Law: Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act
  

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
	Not associated with rulemaking

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Federal Register Notices & Comments
60-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	89 FR 41945	05/14/2024
30-day Notice:	Federal Register Citation:	Citation Date:
	89 FR 77103	09/20/2024
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 2

IC Title	Form No.	Form Name
Deep Seabed Mining Exploration License Annual Reports
Deep Seabed Mining Exploration License Extensions

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Request	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	2	2	0	0	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	270	60	0	210	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	0	0	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Reduction Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Short Statement: An application could take from 2,000 – 4,000 hours, depending on the complexity of the request. This estimate is based on the fact that much of the information required would otherwise be needed by the applicant anyway for management purposes and to obtain funding. NOAA has not received any applications in over 35 years and expects no new applications in the PRA approval period being requested.

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $1,721

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination.     No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).

The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:

(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;

(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;

(c) It reduces burden on small entities;

(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;

(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;

(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;

(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:

(i) Why the information is being collected;

(ii) Use of information;

(iii) Burden estimate;

(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);

(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and

(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;

(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.

(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and

(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.

If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.

Certification Date: 09/20/2024

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