American Seabed Protection Act
The American Seabed Protection Act would broadly ban mining activities on the deep seabed and on the United States’ Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) for hard minerals. It blocks licenses, permits, or other authorizations for exploration or commercial recovery, with a narrow exception allowing licenses for scientific research. The bill also requires a comprehensive environmental assessment by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine within 90 days of enactment to understand the ecological, climate, and social impacts of deep-seabed and OCS mining, and to explore alternatives such as recycling or substituting minerals. A report detailing the study’s findings would be submitted to Congress. The measure frames these prohibitions and the study as aligned with international sustainability goals and precautionary ocean governance. In effect, the bill would halt new deep-sea and offshore hard mineral mining licenses in the near term and place a high bar of environmental review before any further consideration, emphasizing scientific understanding and precaution over rapid exploitation.
Key Points
- 1Prohibition of mining activities: No licenses, permits, or authorizations may be issued for exploration or commercial recovery on the deep seabed or the Outer Continental Shelf for hardrock minerals, with an exception only for scientifically focused research activities.
- 2Findings backbone: The bill cites United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and recognized environmental risks (habitat loss, sediment plumes, noise, contamination of fish, and impacts on carbon storage) to justify its precautionary stance.
- 3Commissioned environmental assessment: Within 90 days after enactment, the Secretary (Secretary of Commerce through NOAA Administrator) must seek an agreement with the National Academies to conduct a comprehensive study of environmental impacts on the deep seabed and OCS.
- 4Content of the assessment: The study must characterize ecosystems (deep seabed, overlying waters, seamounts, hydrothermal vents) and assess impacts on habitats, species, greenhouse gas exchange, and users of the marine environment (fisheries, recreation, aquaculture, subsea infrastructure), including sediment plumes and emissions; it must also evaluate alternatives (recycling, substitutes, reducing terrestrial mining impacts).
- 5Reporting and oversight: The National Academies’ findings must be submitted to the appropriate Congressional committees, guiding future policy and regulation.
- 6Definitions and authority: The bill clarifies key terms (e.g., deep seabed, outer continental shelf, exploration, production) and designates the Secretary as the NOAA Administrator, ensuring a clear administrative pathway.