---
kind: "range"
citation: "15 C.F.R. §§ 971.418–971.428"
title: "15"
from: "971.418"
to: "971.428"
count: 11
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/15/971.418..971.428"
---

# §971.418. Diligence requirements.


The TCRs in each commercial recovery permit must include provisions to assure diligent development consistent with [§ 971.503](/cfr/15/971.503.md), including a requirement that recovery at commercial scale be underway within ten years from the date of permit issuance unless that deadline is extended by the Administrator for good cause.


# §971.419. Environmental protection requirements.

- (a) Each commercial recovery permit must contain TCRs established by the Administrator pursuant to [subpart F](/cfr/15/subpartF.md) which prescribe actions the permittee must take in the conduct of commercial recovery activities to assure protection of the environment. Factors to be taken into account regarding the potential for significant adverse environmental effects are discussed in §§ [971.601](/cfr/15/971.601.md) and [971.602](/cfr/15/971.602.md).
- (b) Before establishing the TCRs pertaining to environmental protection, the Administrator will consult with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating. The Administrator also will take into account and give due consideration to formal comments received from the public, including those from the State agency, and to the information contained in the final site-specific EIS prepared with respect to the proposed permit.

# §971.420. Resource conservation requirements.


For the purpose of conservation of natural resources, each permit issued under this part will contain, as needed, TCRs which have due regard for the prevention of waste and the future opportunity for the commercial recovery of the unrecovered balance of the hard mineral resources in the recovery area. The Administrator will establish these requirements pursuant to [§ 971.502](/cfr/15/971.502.md).


# §971.421. Freedom of the high seas requirements.


Each permit issued under this part must include appropriate restrictions to ensure that commercial recovery activities do not unreasonably interfere with the interests of other nations in their exercise of the freedoms of the high seas, as recognized under general principles of international law. The Administrator will consider the factors in [§ 971.403](/cfr/15/971.403.md) in establishing these restrictions.


# §971.422. Safety at sea requirements.


The Secretary of the department in which the Coast Guard is operating, in consultation with the Administrator, will require in any permit issued under this part, in conformity with principles of international law, that vessels documented under the laws of the United States and used in activities authorized under the permit comply with conditions regarding design, construction, alteration, repair, equipment, operation, manning and maintenance relating to vessel and crew safety and the promotion of safety of life and property at sea. These requirements will be established with reference to subpart G of this part.


# §971.423. Best available technology.


The Administrator will require in all activities under new permits, and wherever practicable in activities under existing permits, the use of the best available technologies for the protection of safety, health, and the environment wherever such activities would have a significant adverse effect on safety, health, or the environment, (see §§ [971.203(b)(3)](/cfr/15/971.203.md?p=b-3), [971.602(f)](/cfr/15/971.602.md?p=f), and [971.604(a)](/cfr/15/971.604.md?p=a)), except where the Administrator determines that the incremental benefits are clearly insufficient to justify the incremental costs of using such technologies.


# §971.424. Monitoring requirements.


Each commercial recovery permit will require the permittee:

- (a) To allow the Administrator to place appropriate Federal officers or employees as observers aboard vessels used by the permittee in commercial recovery activities to:
  - (1) Monitor activities at times, and to the extent, the Administrator deems reasonable and necessary to assess the effectiveness of the TCRs of the permit; and
  - (2) Report to the Administrator whenever those officers or employees have reason to believe there is a failure to comply with the TCRs;
- (b) To cooperate with Federal officers and employees in the performance of monitoring functions; and
- (c) To monitor the environmental effects of the commercial recovery activities in accordance with a monitoring plan approved and issued by NOAA as permit TCRs and to submit data and other information as necessary to permit evaluation of environmental effects. The environmental monitoring plan and reporting will respond to the concerns and procedures discussed in subpart F.

# §971.425. Changes of circumstances.


Each permit must require the permittee to advise the Administrator of any changes of circumstances which might constitute a revision which would be a major change under [§ 971.412(c)](/cfr/15/971.412.md?p=c). Changes in ownership, financing, and use conflicts are examples, as are technology or methodology changes including those which might result in significant adverse environmental effects.


# §971.426. Annual report and records maintenance.


Each permit will require the permittee to submit an annual report and maintain information in accordance with [§ 971.801](/cfr/15/971.801.md) including compliance with the commercial recovery plan and the quantities of hard mineral resources recovered and the disposition of such resources.


# §971.427. Processing outside the United States.


If appropriate TCRs will incorporate provisions to implement the decision of the Administrator regarding the return of resources processed outside the United States, in accordance with [§ 971.408](/cfr/15/971.408.md).


# §971.428. Other necessary permits.


Each permit will provide that securing the deep seabed mining permit for activities described in the recovery plan and accompanying application does not eliminate the need to secure all other necessary Federal, State, and local permits.