“To oppose the permitting of deep seabed mining and exploration for deep seabed mining, and for other purposes.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section states congressional findings on risks to marine ecosystems from deep seabed mining (e.g., species loss, sediment plumes, noise pollution, contamination of food fish, and impacts on carbon sequestration) and expresses the sense of Congress that no such mining should occur in the international seabed area absent a binding regulatory framework by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) under Article 145 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea informed by scientific consensus on risks and impacts. This section directs the President, until submitting required certifications and reports to congressional committees, to instruct U.S. representatives in relevant international organizations to (1) call for a moratorium on permitting deep seabed mining and exploration and (2) oppose investments, financing, or support for such activities. The certification must confirm that the ISA has promulgated regulations informed by scientific consensus on ocean ecosystem impacts that ensure effective protection of the marine environment from harmful effects; the report must detail those regulations, the consensus on risks and impacts to ocean ecosystems and dependent communities, and the methods for such protection.