American Seabed Protection Act

Protection of Marine Ecosystems: The bill seeks to prevent risks such as the loss of unique species, sediment plumes, noise pollution, and the contamination of commercially important food fish (Section 2(a)(3)).

Preservation of Carbon Storage: By limiting mining, the bill aims to mitigate negative impacts on carbon sequestration dynamics and deep-s ocean carbon storage (Section 2(a)(3)(D)).

Support for Marine Users: The required environmental assessment looks at potential impacts on commercial and recreational fisheries, aquaculture operations, and recreational users (Section 2(c)(3)(B)(iii)).

Protection of Cultural Links: The study will assess impacts on indigenous peoples and cultures that are linked to marine species and the marine environment (Section 2(c)(3)(B)(iv)).

Promotion of Sustainable Alternatives: The assessment includes looking into alternatives such as the reuse and recycling of minerals, as well as the use of substitute materials with fewer environmental impacts (Section 2(c)(3)(E)).

Restriction of Mineral Exploration and Production: The bill prohibits the issuance of licenses or permits for the exploration, development, or production of hardrock minerals on the Outer Continental Shelf (Section 2(b)(2)).

Restriction of Deep Seabed Mining: The bill prohibits licenses or permits for the exploration or commercial recovery of minerals on the deep seabed (Section 2(b)(1)).