BOEM Wants to Mine the Pacific Floor Near Tiny Islands
Published Date: 8/18/2026
Notice
Summary
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announces the availability of the Proposed Leasing Notice (PLN) for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Pacific Mineral Lease Sale 2 (PACM-2). BOEM publishes this notice pursuant to its regulatory authority under 30 CFR part 581. Pursuant to 30 CFR 581.16, the Secretary of the Interior provides the Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands with the opportunity to review and comment on the PLN within 60 days of publication of this notice of availability. The PLN describes the proposed lease sale's size, timing, and location, along with information to lessees about clauses, lease stipulations, and terms and conditions, such as minimum bids, royalty rates, and rental rates.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Proposed PACM-2 Lease Sale Scheduled
If you are a business that might bid for offshore mineral leases, BOEM has published the Proposed Leasing Notice for PACM-2 and proposes to hold the lease sale on December 16, 2026. The PLN describes the sale size, timing, location, and tells potential lessees about clauses and terms such as minimum bids, royalty rates, and rental rates; BOEM will publish a Final Leasing Notice at least 30 days before the sale and the Governor may comment by October 19, 2026.
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