View Information Collection Request (ICR) Package

OMB Control No: 0648-0145	ICR Reference No: 202509-0648-004
Status: Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 202409-0648-009
Agency/Subagency: DOC/NOAA	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Deep Seabed Mining Regulations
Type of Information Collection: Revision of a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR: No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved with change	Conclusion Date: 01/21/2026
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 01/21/2026
Terms of Clearance: In accordance with 5 CFR 1320, the information collection is approved for three years. As terms of clearance, however, the Agency is asked to ensure the next renewal package includes templates for the applications as well as clear and complete instructions exist for the forms included in this collection..

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	01/31/2029	36 Months From Approved	03/31/2028
Responses	27	0	2
Time Burden (Hours)	8,055	0	270
Cost Burden (Dollars)	1,176,358	0	0

Abstract: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) National Ocean Service (NOS) requests extension and revision of this currently approved information collection that contains requirements under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA). This collection is being revised pursuant to a final rule (RIN 0648-BN96) which will revise the DSHMRA regulations for exploration license and commercial recovery permits to add a new, alternative and optional procedure whereby interested and qualified U.S. citizens may submit a consolidated application to concurrently apply for a license and permit under DSHMRA. The final rule will allow an applicant who is seeking both an exploration license and a commercial recovery permit to proceed under either the information collection requirements for the current two-step sequential process where an applicant first applies for and, if eligible, obtains an exploration license and then applies for the commercial recovery permit; or, if the applicant is qualified, under the information collection requirements for the new consolidated application process where an applicant concurrently applies for the license and permit. Further, the information collection is being revised due to the likely future need to begin collecting permit applications, as well as annual reports related to permit compliance. This information collection is for the purpose of the receipt and maintenance of exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits required by the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act (DSHMRA) (30 U.S.C. §§ 1401-1473). NOAA’s regulations at 15 CFR Part 970 (exploration licenses) and 15 CFR Part 971 (commercial recovery permits) govern the issuance and maintenance of DSHMRA licenses and permits. The NOAA Administrator approves or denies DSHMRA licenses and permits. The NOAA Administrator has delegated to the NOS Assistant Administrator and the NOS’ Office for Coastal Management responsibility for processing DSHMRA licenses and permits for the NOAA Administrator’s consideration and decisions. License and permit applicants must submit information to ensure that the applicant meets the DSHMRA licensing and permitting standards. Licensees and permittees are required to conduct monitoring and make reports, including annual reports regarding the licensee’s or permittee’s conformance to the schedule of activities and expenditures contained in the license or permit, and may request revisions, transfers, or extensions of licenses and permits. Information required for the issuance, revision, transfer, and extension of licenses and permits ensures that the Administrator is able to make determinations on the findings set forth in 30 U.S.C. 1413(c) and 30 U.S.C. 1415(a) and the factors set forth in the DSHMRA regulations. These findings and factors include that license and permit applicants have identified areas of interest for deep seabed hard mineral exploration and production; developed plans for those activities; have the financial resources available to conduct proposed activities; and have considered the effects of the activities on the natural and human environment. This information is used to determine whether licenses and permits should be issued, revised, transferred, or extended. Exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits under DSHMRA are only for activities by U.S. citizens on the seabed in areas beyond national jurisdiction. NOAA has received several applications recently and anticipates receiving additional applications. The licenses and permits are subject to annual reporting requirements and may be subject to extension requests (every five years for exploration licenses, or every twenty years for commercial recovery permits).

Authorizing Statute(s): PL: Pub.L. 96 - 283 102, 105, 113, 114 Name of Law: Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act
US Code: 30 USC 1401-1473 Name of Law: Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:
0648-BN96	Final or interim final rulemaking	91 FR 2642	01/21/2026

Federal Register Notices & Comments
Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? Yes

ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate
Annual Number of Responses	27	2	15	10
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	8,055	270	7,755	30
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	1,176,358	0	1,176,358	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Increase Due to: Miscellaneous Actions

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement: A new rule is adding a requirement for a consolidated license application / recovery permit. Other ICs were added as they are statutorily required, but were never included in this ICR because most of the ICs only come up for renewal once every 5-20 years.

Annual Cost to Federal Government: $2,276,249

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Does this ICR request any personally identifiable information (see OMB Circular No. A-130 for an explanation of this term)? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination. Yes

Does this ICR include a form that requires a Privacy Act Statement (see 5 U.S.C. §552a(e)(3))? Please consult with your agency's privacy program when making this determination. No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? No

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? No

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? No

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? No

Agency Contact: Kerry Kehoe 301 713-3155 ext. 151

View ICR - OIRA Conclusion