Government Seeks Interest in Mariana Islands Seabed Mining
Published Date: 11/11/2025
Notice
Summary
The government is asking companies and the public if they're interested in mining minerals offshore near the Northern Mariana Islands. This is the first step before any actual leasing happens, and they want your thoughts by December 12, 2025. If things move forward, it could open up new business opportunities and jobs in the area, but no money changes hands yet.
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Input sought on rental, royalty, and bidding terms
BOEM requests public comment on rental rates, whether rental payments should be required in the first five years or start in year six (per 30 CFR 581.27), on royalty rates and schedules (BOEM intends to issue leases with an ad valorem royalty and a minimum royalty equivalent to rental per 30 CFR 581.30), and on bid deposit, minimum bids, and auction format (sealed or ascending).
Potential new jobs and business opportunities
BOEM says that if leasing proceeds it could open new business opportunities and jobs in and around the Northern Mariana Islands area, but this RFI is only an early step and is not a decision to lease. BOEM will consider responses before deciding whether to proceed to leasing steps.
Two-stage lease contraction proposal
BOEM is considering lease contraction clauses with a two-stage contraction scheduled around years 7 and 14 that would reduce leased acreage after specified periods, and asks for comments on preferred acreage and timing for each stage. BOEM also expects to offer one or more large lease areas initially.
RFI Area scale, depth, and mineral prospectivity
The RFI Area covers about 35,483,044 acres (143,595 km2) with water depths approximately 3,700–25,100 feet (1,130–7,650 meters) and is identified as a prospective region for ferromanganese crust and nodules by USGS. Respondents may nominate specific blocks from the 6,502 whole or partial OCS lease blocks listed for consideration.
Environmental, cultural, and fisheries impacts invited for comment
BOEM requests information on potential environmental, socioeconomic, cultural, and fisheries impacts in and around the RFI Area and intends to coordinate with the Government of the CNMI, Indigenous Peoples (Chamorro and Carolinian), and multiple Federal agencies during planning and environmental analysis. BOEM seeks spatial data, fisheries gear/seasonal use information, and recommendations to avoid or mitigate conflicts.
RFI opens; deadline to respond
BOEM published a Request for Information and Interest and is asking for comments and indications of interest by December 12, 2025. You can submit comments via regulations.gov or email Pacific.Region@boem.gov and businesses can submit indications of interest by email or mail as described in the notice.
Confidentiality and public-record rules for submissions
BOEM will post comments on regulations.gov unless labeled confidential and qualifying for FOIA Exemption 4; identities of those indicating interest are public record but BOEM treats nominations of specific areas as proprietary and will not link an area to a party publicly. Indigenous Peoples may designate historic resource information confidential under Section 304 of the NHPA.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-04517 — Risk Management and Financial Assurance for OCS Lease and Grant Obligations
The Department of the Interior is proposing new rules to make it easier and cheaper for companies drilling for oil, gas, and sulfur on the Outer Continental Shelf to prove they can cover cleanup costs. These changes will lower the extra money companies must set aside, freeing up about $6.2 billion to invest back into energy projects. The updates affect current and future leaseholders and grant holders and aim to boost American energy while keeping the environment safe.
2026-05319 — Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement on Platform Gilda Well Stimulation Treatment
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is getting ready to study how boosting oil and gas production by using hydraulic fracturing on 16 wells at Platform Gilda, offshore California, might affect the environment. They want to hear from everyone—local communities, governments, and tribes—before making decisions. Comments are open until March 30, 2026, so don’t miss your chance to speak up!
2026-03973 — Notice of Intent To Prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Proposed Oil and Gas Lease Sales in the Northern, Central, and Southern California Program Areas
The government is getting ready to study how new oil and gas lease sales off California’s coast might affect the environment. This affects people in Northern, Central, and Southern California, with lease sales planned soon that could bring changes to local communities and ecosystems. They want your thoughts by March 30, 2026, as they plan these sales and figure out the best way forward.
2025-22767 — Oil and Gas and Sulfur Operations in the Outer Continental Shelf
This update fixes a small but important mistake in the rules about oil, gas, and sulfur operations on the Outer Continental Shelf, especially in the Arctic areas like the Beaufort and Chukchi Seas. It mainly affects companies working offshore by clarifying definitions to keep things clear and running smoothly. No new costs or deadlines—just a tidy correction to keep the rulebook sharp and ready.
2025-21802 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget for Review and Approval; Renewable Energy on the Outer Continental Shelf and Alternate Uses of Existing Facilities on the Outer Continental Shelf
The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management wants to update and renew its paperwork rules for companies working on renewable energy and reusing old facilities out on the ocean shelf. This affects businesses involved in offshore wind, solar, and other clean energy projects, asking them to provide info in a clearer, easier way. Comments on these changes are open until January 2, 2026, helping keep the process smooth and efficient without extra costs.
2025-19828 — Gulf of America OCS Oil and Gas One Big Beautiful Bill Act Lease Sale 1
On December 10, 2025, the government will hold a big lease sale for oil and gas drilling spots in the Gulf of America’s Outer Continental Shelf. Companies wanting to bid must submit their offers by December 9. This sale follows new rules from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, aiming to keep things fair and clear while opening up opportunities for energy development and government revenue.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-19850 — Emergency Order Establishing Operating Limitations on the Use of Navigable Airspace
Starting November 7, 2025, some airlines must cut their daily flights by 10% between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. to keep the skies safe and avoid delays. This temporary rule helps manage air traffic because there aren’t enough air traffic controllers right now. If you fly or work in aviation, expect fewer flights and some changes until the FAA says otherwise.
Next: 2025-19853 — Change in Bank Control Notices; Acquisitions of Shares of a Bank or Bank Holding Company
If you want to buy or control shares in a bank or bank holding company, you need to tell the Federal Reserve first. They check to make sure everything’s fair and safe before you can move forward. If you’re interested, you have until November 28, 2025, to share your thoughts, so don’t miss the deadline!
Take It Personal
Get Your Personalized Policy View
Start a Free Government Policy Watch to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.
Already have an account? Sign in