Government Tests Interest in Virginia Seabed Mining Leases
Published Date: 6/23/2026
Notice
Summary
The government is asking people and companies if they're interested in leasing areas offshore Virginia to dig up minerals from the ocean floor. This is the first step and doesn’t guarantee any leases yet, but it could lead to future mining projects that might bring money and jobs. If you want to share your thoughts or show interest, you need to do it by July 23, 2026.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Potential Leases Could Grant Mining Rights
BOEM may proceed from this RFI to a competitive lease process that, if a lease is issued, would give the lessee the right to conduct preliminary activities and, with BOEM approval, to explore, develop, and produce minerals from the leased area. Only preliminary activities are allowed without prior BOEM approval; later exploration, testing, or mining requires BOEM review and approvals.
Lease Payments, Royalties, and Terms Under Consideration
BOEM says it would apply a royalty to all marketable mineral production if it proceeds and is asking for input on royalty rates and schedules, rental rates, bid deposits, minimum bids, auction format, and whether to limit bidders to one lease area per sale. BOEM also notes primary lease terms could be a 10-year term for sand and gravel or a 20-year term for marine minerals other than sand and gravel.
Large RFI Area Offshore Virginia; Local Uses Solicited
The RFI Area covers about 1,769,196 acres (2,764 square miles), located between 3 and 63.5 miles offshore of the Delmarva Peninsula (Accomack and Northampton counties, Virginia), in water depths of about 30–410 feet and comprising 301 whole and 19 partial OCS lease blocks. BOEM requests information on possible impacts to fishing, marine life, cultural resources, and local socioeconomics in and around this area.
Submit Interest by July 23, 2026
BOEM is asking companies and the public to submit comments or indications of interest in leasing offshore Virginia by July 23, 2026. Indications of interest must be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to BOEM's Marine Minerals Division in Sterling, Virginia; do not submit indications of interest via the Federal eRulemaking Portal.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
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