NOAA to Hold Virtual Public Hearings on Proposed Deep Seabed Mining Regulations

Strategic Insights -

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has announced that it will hold two virtual public hearings on September 3 and 4, 2025, to receive oral comments on proposed revisions to the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA) regulations. The proposed rule, published on July 7, 2025, aims to add a consolidated exploration license and commercial recovery permit process, as well as make changes to other obsolete sections of the license and permit regulations. The hearings will be conducted via Adobe Connect, and attendees will have three minutes to speak on the proposed rule, the Regulatory Impact Analysis, and/or the implementation of Executive Order 14294.

Key Takeaways:

  • NOAA will hold two virtual public hearings on September 3 and 4, 2025, to receive oral comments on proposed revisions to the DSHMRA regulations.
  • The proposed rule aims to add a consolidated exploration license and commercial recovery permit process and make changes to other obsolete sections of the license and permit regulations.
  • The hearings will be conducted via Adobe Connect, and attendees will have three minutes to speak on the proposed rule, the Regulatory Impact Analysis, and/or the implementation of Executive Order 14294.
  • Written comments on the proposed rule can be submitted electronically through the proposed rule's regulations.gov docket.
  • NOAA has determined that two virtual public hearings are the best way to reach a maximum number of potential public hearing participants.
  • The proposed rule includes a request for comments on the Regulatory Impact Analysis/Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (IRFA) and on the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) analysis set forth in the proposed rule.
  • NOAA also requests comments on the implementation of Executive Order 14294: Fighting Overcriminalization in Federal Regulations.

Statistics:

  • The virtual public hearings will be held on September 3 and 4, 2025, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern Time each day.
  • Attendance at each virtual public hearing will be limited to 1,000 individuals.
  • Each registered participant will receive an Adobe Connect link for the virtual public hearing.
  • The proposed rule was published on July 7, 2025.
  • The DSHMRA regulations have undergone changes since their initial publication in 1981 and 1989.

Sources:

  • NOAA Virtual Public Hearings Notice (Federal Register)
  • Proposed Rule: Revisions to the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA) Regulations (Federal Register)
  • Executive Order 14294: Fighting Overcriminalization in Federal Regulations (Federal Register)
  • NOAA-NOS-2025-0108: Proposed Rule: Revisions to the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA) Regulations (regulations.gov)
  • 30 U.S.C. 1401-1473: Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (U.S. Code)