In accordance
with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three
years. As terms of clearance, however, the Agency is asked to
ensure the next renewal package includes templates for the
applications as well as clear and complete instructions exist for
the forms included in this collection..
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
01/31/2029
36 Months From Approved
03/31/2028
27
0
2
8,055
0
270
1,176,358
0
0
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Ocean Service (NOS) requests
extension and revision of this currently approved information
collection that contains requirements under the Deep Seabed Hard
Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA). This collection is being revised
pursuant to a final rule (RIN 0648-BN96) which will revise the
DSHMRA regulations for exploration license and commercial recovery
permits to add a new, alternative and optional procedure whereby
interested and qualified U.S. citizens may submit a consolidated
application to concurrently apply for a license and permit under
DSHMRA. The final rule will allow an applicant who is seeking both
an exploration license and a commercial recovery permit to proceed
under either the information collection requirements for the
current two-step sequential process where an applicant first
applies for and, if eligible, obtains an exploration license and
then applies for the commercial recovery permit; or, if the
applicant is qualified, under the information collection
requirements for the new consolidated application process where an
applicant concurrently applies for the license and permit. Further,
the information collection is being revised due to the likely
future need to begin collecting permit applications, as well as
annual reports related to permit compliance. This information
collection is for the purpose of the receipt and maintenance of
exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits required by
the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA) (30 U.S.C. §§
1401-1473). NOAA’s regulations at 15 CFR Part 970 (exploration
licenses) and 15 CFR Part 971 (commercial recovery permits) govern
the issuance and maintenance of DSHMRA licenses and permits. The
NOAA Administrator approves or denies DSHMRA licenses and permits.
The NOAA Administrator has delegated to the NOS Assistant
Administrator and the NOS’ Office for Coastal Management
responsibility for processing DSHMRA licenses and permits for the
NOAA Administrator’s consideration and decisions. License and
permit applicants must submit information to ensure that the
applicant meets the DSHMRA licensing and permitting standards.
Licensees and permittees are required to conduct monitoring and
make reports, including annual reports regarding the licensee’s or
permittee’s conformance to the schedule of activities and
expenditures contained in the license or permit, and may request
revisions, transfers, or extensions of licenses and permits.
Information required for the issuance, revision, transfer, and
extension of licenses and permits ensures that the Administrator is
able to make determinations on the findings set forth in 30 U.S.C.
1413(c) and 30 U.S.C. 1415(a) and the factors set forth in the
DSHMRA regulations. These findings and factors include that license
and permit 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 activities; and have considered the effects of the
activities on the natural and human environment. This information
is used to determine whether licenses and permits should be issued,
revised, transferred, or extended. Exploration licenses and
commercial recovery permits under DSHMRA are only for activities by
U.S. citizens on the seabed in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
NOAA has received several applications recently and anticipates
receiving additional applications. The licenses and permits are
subject to annual reporting requirements and may be subject to
extension requests (every five years for exploration licenses, or
every twenty years for commercial recovery permits).
A new rule is adding a
requirement for a consolidated license application / recovery
permit. Other ICs were added as they are statutorily required, but
were never included in this ICR because most of the ICs only come
up for renewal once every 5-20 years.
$2,276,249
No
Yes
No
No
No
No
No
Kerry Kehoe 301 713-3155 ext.
151
No
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:
(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;
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.
0648-0145 Supporting Statement Part A_FINAL 2026-0114.docx
NOAA0900 PIA_SAOP_Approved.pdf
Annual Reports