BOEM Extends Comment Period on Possible Seafloor Mining off Eastern Shore

The federal government has extended the public comment period on the possibility of mineral leasing off Virginia’s Eastern Shore following pressure from members of the state’s congressional delegation.

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management originally scheduled the comment period to close July 23 but has extended it through Aug. 22. Virginia Sens. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine joined six Democratic members of the U.S. House in seeking additional time for residents, local governments, Tribal communities and affected industries to review the issue.

BOEM published its Request for Information and Interest on June 23. The agency is evaluating whether to advance a competitive lease sale for minerals other than oil, gas or sulfur on the federal Outer Continental Shelf off Virginia.

The request is an initial information-gathering step and does not authorize a lease sale or mining. BOEM is seeking public input and indications of commercial interest that could help it decide whether to continue the federal leasing process.

If BOEM proceeds to the Area Identification phase, the agency would prepare an environmental assessment and conduct consultations required under federal environmental and historic-preservation laws. Those reviews would include consultations under the Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act and Coastal Zone Management Act.

The process could also authorize preliminary bathymetric, geological, geophysical, mapping and related surveys needed to prepare a future testing or mining plan. BOEM says those preliminary activities must have no significant adverse effect on the natural resources of the Outer Continental Shelf.

Comments may be submitted or reviewed through the federal docket. Previously submitted comments do not need to be resubmitted.