Northampton Officials raise concerns over proposed seabed mining off seaside

Northampton County officials are reviewing a new federal proposal that could open the door to seabed mining off the seaside of the Eastern Shore, in waters beyond the state’s jurisdiction.

he Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued a Request for Information and Interest on Tuesday seeking public input on potential mineral leasing in a portion of the federal Outer Continental Shelf offshore of Virginia. The 30-day public comment period runs through July 23. BOEM has emphasized that the request is an early planning step and does not represent a final decision to authorize mining or issue a lease.

The proposal stems from a November 2025 unsolicited request submitted by Odyssey Marine Exploration for a potential lease sale involving heavy mineral sands and phosphorites offshore Virginia. BOEM is seeking comments on mineral resources, environmental concerns, and possible conflicts with fishing, shipping, energy development, military activities, and other ocean uses.

During Tuesday night’s Northampton County work session, county officials expressed concern about the potential environmental impacts of mining activities near Virginia’s barrier islands, which are known for their undeveloped beaches, bird nesting habitat, and sensitive coastal ecosystems.

Supervisor Betsy Mapp said she strongly opposes the concept, citing concerns about disturbing the ocean floor and the possible effects on beaches, marine life, and wildlife habitat.

According to the BOEM, the area under consideration lies east of the Submerged Lands Act Boundary, the line that generally separates state-owned submerged lands from federally managed offshore waters. Under the 1953 Submerged Lands Act, Virginia owns and manages submerged lands and natural resources extending approximately three nautical miles offshore. Beyond that boundary, the federal government manages the Outer Continental Shelf through BOEM.

In practical terms, the proposed lease area would not be within Virginia state waters. Instead, it would be located in federal waters beginning beyond the state’s three-mile offshore boundary and extending farther into the Atlantic Ocean. The maps released by BOEM indicate the area stretches from several miles offshore to roughly 50 miles offshore, running along much of the Eastern Shore coastline toward the Maryland border.

Environmental organizations, including the Southern Environmental Law Center and the Center for Biological Diversity, have warned that industrial-scale seabed mining could damage seafloor habitat, create sediment plumes, affect marine life, and pose risks to species such as the North Atlantic right whale and Atlantic sturgeon.

Supporters of increased offshore mineral development argue that domestic sources of critical minerals could help reduce U.S. dependence on foreign supply chains and support manufacturing, defense, and emerging technologies. The Trump administration has identified critical mineral development as a national priority.

County Administrator Matt Spuck said the proposal has already been forwarded to county environmental staff for review. Northampton officials indicated they may submit comments to BOEM before the July 23 deadline.

The federal agency is expected to use information gathered during the comment period to determine whether to continue evaluating the area for future leasing opportunities.