Deep Seabed Mining: Exploration License and Commercial Recovery Permit Applications

There is nowhere on Earth with less life than the abyssal plains of the deep sea, and such little disruption is required to pick these important nodules off the sea floor.

I oppose it due to potential harm to the ocean's carbon sink, sea floor, and Islander livelihoods.

Opposing these efforts, I believe they pose a threat to vital carbon sinks, marine life, and Coastal communities.

Mining in these areas disrupts the critical carbon sink, harms ocean floors, endangers unknown species, and jeopardizes Islander livelihoods.

I'm strongly opposed to these measures, as they threaten the ocean's biodiversity, disturb carbon sinks, and endanger Islander livelihoods.

Such activities threaten the critical carbon sink of our oceans, damage seabeds, harm unknown marine life, and jeopardize Island livelihoods.

I'm opposed to these actions as they jeopardize the ocean's role as a carbon sink, damage the sea floor, threaten species, and endanger Islander communities.

This plan threatens essential carbon sinks, harms the sea floor, risks undiscovered marine species, and jeopardizes Islander livelihoods.

I oppose deep sea exploration and exploitation, as it jeopardizes the world's largest carbon sink, harms the sea floor, threatens undiscovered species, and endangers Islander communities.

I'm against it due to its risks to carbon storage, sea floors, species, and Islander livelihoods.

Regulating doesn't protect fragile ecosystems, overlooks sediment plumes, and ignores cumulative impacts.

I oppose the proposed deep sea mining rules due to threats to carbon sinks, marine life, and Islander livelihoods.

The rules lack safeguards for biodiversity, misjudge sediment impact, and ignore cumulative effects.

The proposed deep sea mining regulations alarmingly overlook significant ecological threats.

I oppose it due to risks to carbon sinks, sea floors, species and island communities’ livelihoods.

Deep seafloor mining could devastate carbon sinks, damage undiscovered species, and harm Islander communities.

The current proposal is inadequate, risking precious marine ecosystems.

Such mining disrupts vital carbon sinks, destroys sea floors, endangers species, and jeopardizes island livelihoods.

Such activities threaten massive carbon storage areas, harm sea floors, risk species extinction, and jeopardize Islander livelihoods.

The practice is destructive to fragile marine ecosystems, coral reefs, and essential fisheries.

Deep sea mining is our country's best option for critical minerals self-sufficiency.

DSM will not kill animals, contaminate rivers/seas, destroy rain forests, harm indigenous communities, and contaminate our air.

The proposed deep sea mining regulations endanger marine ecosystems, insufficiently addressing major environmental impacts.

The proposal overlooks significant environmental threats, risking marine life and local communities.

How does NOAA’s current regulatory framework both support responsible innovation in deep-sea mining — for example by companies like TMC — and ensure that environmental protections are effectively enforced?

Such mining risks disrupting vital carbon sinks, damaging sea beds, imperiling species, and affecting island communities.

Supporting polymetallic nodule collection is not an additive impact, it is a substitutional shift.

I oppose the proposed deep sea mining regulations due to their potential to harm marine ecosystems.

Let’s show the world what responsible resource development actually looks like — instead of letting the dirtiest players define the rules.

The regulation, as it stands, is inadequate in safeguarding our marine ecosystems.

The current upside to seabed metal gathering appears to be environmentally less impactful on the ecosystem.

The sooner the United States starts focusing more in the maritime space, including deep sea mineral harvesting, the sooner we can restore our shipbuilding focus and increase our ability to protect the Pacific Ocean from IUU fishing.

Waiting for perfect regulation before action only deepens our environmental crisis.

Deep seabed mining offers us an alternative that is safe, clean, and provides the United States with an abundant source of minerals critical to our security and energy independence.

This is a comparatively minimally invasive way to gather critical resources needed for our economic future and national security.

Deep sea mining poses unprecedented environmental risks to fragile and poorly understood ecosystems in international waters, with potentially irreversible impacts on marine biodiversity and ocean health.

Destroying habitats will indirectly affect our own for the negative.

The proposed measures reflect a thoughtful approach to balancing environmental conservation with sustainable development.

Conservatives understand that stewardship over God’s creation is not a progressive concept—it is a biblical and moral responsibility.

We are currently in a climate and ecological crisis.

Deep sea mining should not continue in North America or anywhere else because it causes irreversible damage to fragile marine ecosystems already suffering from anthropogenic destruction.

As a species whose own actions threatens our survival, we cannot afford to irrevocably damage and destroy an important biological system that we don’t understand.

Deep sea mining will cause damage that will take millennia to recover, if ever at all.

This is not innovation—it is irreversible destruction of our home.

No amount of money can bring back what is lost once it's gone or damaged beyond the chance for restoration.

The deep ocean is Earth’s final frontier — a fragile, ancient ecosystem that sustains biodiversity, regulates climate, and offers insight into our planet’s origins.

Deep Sea Mining has the potential to do irreversible damage to the sea floor.

Scientists warn that deep sea mining risks causing severe and potentially irreversible damage to the deep ocean and to the marine life that calls it home.

I strongly believe that the United States and NOAA should proceed expeditiously and completely to secure material independence and lead the way for deep sea mining.

National security and cleaner than land based mines.

From the benefits to small businesses alone this seems like a no-brainer.

It would cause horrific damage to the ocean and to the marine life.

It makes no sense to rob us all of our future to make a quick buck.

Don’t let a handful of short-lived, greedy fools destroy the future of life on Earth.

life isn't about profits or resources, nature is the base on which all of our industries and our possibility for life stands.

Something like this could ruin the date of humanity forever.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is proposing updates to its regulations governing exploration licenses and commercial recovery permits for deep seabed mining under the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act. The changes aim to modernize outdated 1980s-era rules by streamlining application procedures and reflecting current technology and international standards. The proposal has drawn both support for improving regulatory clarity and concern over potential environmental impacts to ocean ecosystems.

Deep Seabed Mining: License and Permit Updates

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for Seven Species of Pangolin

I fully support listing all pangolins as endangered species, with all of the protections provided with that designation.

This magnificent species is an exact example of why the Endangered Species Act exists.

It should not be necessary to justify protecting the most trafficked animal in the world by granting endangered species status under the EPA act.

The pangolin is one of the most trafficked animals on the planet and is certainly the most trafficked mammal.

These species are under severe threat from relentless illegal trafficking and habitat loss, compounded by climate change.

Pangolins should receive protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Pangolins, arguably the most trafficked mammal in the world, need further protection as described in this proposed rule to prevent probable extinction.

These gentle creatures deserve to be protected in their habitat.

Pangolins are sadly the most heavily trafficked mammals in the world, driven by demand for their scales and meat.

Pangolins, the most heavily trafficked mammals in the world, have experienced sharp population decreases driven by illegal wildlife trade, habitat fragmentation, and environmental degradation.

Pangolins are the most frequently trafficked mammal in the world.

We owe it to posterity to provide this living proof of God's love and creativity its place in our world for all time.

To lose such a miraculous creature would be unforgivable.

I am in full support of adding endangered status to Pangolin to prevent its decline.

Pangolins are among the most heavily trafficked mammals in the world, and this listing is a crucial step toward curbing illegal trade and protecting these unique animals from extinction.

Mankind simply must do more to protect other species that share the planet with us.

Pangolins are the most trafficked animals in the world, it only makes sense to do as much as we can to help them.

This trafficked animal needs the Act's protections—awareness and help on a global scale are essential before it’s too late.

Pangolins are the world’s most trafficked mammals, cruelly hunted and smuggled for use in traditional medicine, despite having no proven health benefit.

Ban the horrific trade and trafficking of pangolins - a gentle animal being commodified for no reason other than ignorance.

We have to stop the merciless killing and protect this species before they disappear.

Pangolins play a vital role in tropical ecosystems and are being removed at an alarming rate.

Pangolins are the most trafficked mammals on Earth.

Protecting pangolins by law is essential to prevent their extinction and to preserve biodiversity.

Time is running out for them as the world’s most trafficked animal.

These remarkable and ancient animals are the most heavily trafficked mammals in the world—hunted and poached to the brink of extinction for their scales and meat.

It would be totally irresponsible to NOT list them as endangered.

I support USFWS listing seven species of pangolin, the most trafficked animal in the world, under the Endangered Species Act

They are the world’s most trafficked mammal, making up as much as 20% of all illegal wildlife trade and are sought after for their scales.

Hopefully, this will help curtail some of the egregious trade in pangolin scales.

Pangolins make up as much as 20% of all illegal wildlife trade and are sought after for their scales.

Pangolins are the most trafficked mammal on Earth.

I support the proposal to list seven species of pangolin under the Endangered Species Act!

The less value we place on animal parts, the more we protect the animals themselves!

Pangolins are in vital need of protection.

Pangolins are the world’s most trafficked mammal, making up as much as 20% of all illegal wildlife trade.

These poor little critters need our help more than ever before.

The science is clear - animals have cognitive, social and emotional lives.

Every species we loose is a world lost and a disruption to our valuable eco systems.

Please list seven species of pangolin under the Endangered Species Act to close loopholes to effectively end the legal sale of pangolin products within the United States.

The demand for pangolin parts is driving them to extinction.

I WHOLEHEARTEDLY ENDORSE THIS PROTECTIVE MEASURE, WHICH IS REALLY LONG OVERDUE.

ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that can be done to stop this from happening should ALWAYS be done.

Species extinction is a real problem for the pangolin, and this should help us avoid that.

I strongly support the USFWS listing these little seven species of pangolin under the Endangered Species Act.

I strongly support USFWS listing seven species of pangolin under the Endangered Species Act.

It is essential to protect this heavily trafficked animal from certain extinction.

Pangolins are the world's most heavily trafficked mammal, with overexploitation as the leading cause of population declines.

Pangolins are one of the world’s most trafficked mammals.

We must not allow pangolin trafficking anymore when such abuse of wildlife has led to zoonotic diseases like COVID-19 and the decimation of critical, carbon-sequestering ecosystems.

They are the most trafficked animals in the world and their numbers are dwindling.

The less value we place on animal parts, the more we protect the animals themselves.

Please safeguard pangolins and ensure they are protected under the Endangered Species Act.

These animals are being killed or captured from the wild at an alarming rate and must be protected.

All seven species of pangolin deserve to be protected under the Endangered Species Act.

Pangolins make up as much as 20% of all illegal Wildlife trade and are sought after for their scales.

Pangolins are the world’s most trafficked mammal.

It is our duty and obligation as stewards of this world to protect and preserve its natural beauty and wonders.

Pangolins are the most trafficked animals in the world.

It's time to put a stop to this before another beautiful animal becomes extinct.

Pangolins are the most trafficked mammal in the world.

It's imperative that pangolins be categorized as an extremely endangered species.

ESA protections for pangolins would prohibit the import and trade of pangolin parts in the U.S., an important step to protect them from extinction.

These ancient wonders, who evolved with the dinosaurs, are prized in China as a delicacy, and for the purported medicinal value of their scales—it is, scientifically, unfounded—making them one of the most illegally traded mammals on the planet, and headed for extinction!

Protecting pangolins is crucial due to their vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems and their status as the world's most trafficked mammal.

Once a species is gone, there is no way to 'bring it back.'

I strongly support listing pangolins as endangered under the ESA to help end the illegal trade and protect these vulnerable animals from extinction.

This species has every right to live without threat of capture and slaughter.

The proposed listing would end an exemption which allows for the sale of older pangolin parts in the U.S., and this is crucial to stop trafficking in these very endangered animals.

I call upon the United States Fish and Wildlife Agency to grant Endangered Species Status for seven species of Pangolins who are the most trafficked mammals worldwide.

Sadly, pangolins are the most trafficked mammal on earth, with as many as 2.7 million African pangolins killed annually by hunters.

Pangolins are the most trafficked mammal on earth, with as many as 2.7 million African pangolins killed annually by hunters.

These beautiful, shy, and gentle animals are such an easy target for poachers and traffickers.

Any efforts to protect these animals from harm, whether it be poaching or habitat destruction or any other sort, intentionally inflicted or otherwise, is worthwhile.

Inaction is just another green light to run the species into extinction.

These animals are the world’s most trafficked mammals and urgently need stronger protection from illegal trade and habitat loss.

These amazing creatures deserve our time and concern in ensuring their survival.

Pangolins deserve protection under the endangered species act.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) is proposing to list seven species of pangolins—native to Asia and Africa—as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. The listing would provide protections against U.S. trade in pangolins or their parts, which are heavily trafficked for meat and scales. The proposal aims to support global conservation efforts by strengthening legal safeguards and limiting U.S. market demand.

Endangered Species Status for Seven Pangolins

Rescission of the Management and Protection of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Regulations, issued May 7, 2024

Decisions and regulations on usage of the Natural Petroleum Reserve should be minimally invasive on local ecology and dictated by the wishes of Alaskan residents and state government.

The idea of a 'reserve' is to do just that: keep it until there is a dire need and all other avenues have been exploited.

Alaska is the last frontier for many creatures, they don't deserve to go extinct by stupid human greed.

Absolutely do not open Alaska or any other like areas for oil drilling.

Figure out a way to drill that preserves wildlife and the land and require it as a condition of use.

Our planet can not be pushed beyond the amount of gas and oil already used, due to the rising temperature of our Earth.

We DO NOT need to be developing more of our wild lands.

The American people greatly see the value of keeping our public lands public, rather than selling them off to the highest bidder.

This is not just another piece of land—it’s 23 million acres of rare, ecologically rich wilderness that supports migratory birds, caribou, and countless other wildlife species.

As an Alaskan resident, United states citizen, and a steward of our earth, the protection of the lands, waters and animals within the Arctic is of utmost importance.

Once those areas are destroyed they can never be replaced.

Loss of protection for the Reserve’s five Special Areas could have devastating impacts for community subsistence access and critical habitat for fish, caribou, and millions of migratory birds.

In 2024, President Biden utilized sound science and overwhelming public comments (over 250,000 people signed in favor of keeping this land protected) to ensure that this area would remain pristine and intact.

Do not revoke protections for Western Arctic's National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska!

Please, please, back off for the sake of wildlife, subsistence hunters, and BLM's own integrity.

Please do NOT open Alaska to more drilling and focus on renewable energy instead.

The critical wildlife areas in the National Petroleum Reserve should be protected at all costs.

Research shows that oil and gas use must decrease significantly between now and 2050 to keep the worst impacts of climate change at bay.

You can not eat money, you can not eat oil.

What the arctic needs is more protections, not less.

Money is short-sighted; native subsistence and our natural world are forever.

Rescinding these new safeguards for the Reserve’s five Special Areas could have devastating impacts for community subsistence access and critical habitat for fish, caribou, and millions of migratory birds.

The NPR-A's lands, animals, and communities are the enduring, timeless resource that must be protected and preserved.

The Planet Is on Fire — and This Decision Fuels It

Please do not destroy this land for energy when we are all trying to go completely green by 2050.

Please protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, especially for our children.

We are poisoning the Earth and ourselves with fossil fuel emissions.

There is no need to remove this rule as the risk to the fragile Alaskan environment does not outweigh an 'emergency' that does not exist.

I strongly urge the Department of the Interior (DOI) to protect the Western Arctic from oil and gas development and listen to those who call it home, including Indigenous communities and iconic species that depend on the land.

This area is pristine and irreplaceable, and once fossil fuel extraction, with its attendant destruction and pollution, is allowed to occur, it will never recover.

This region is one of the most ecologically significant and fragile landscapes in the United States.

This move is a reckless step backward. It undermines climate science, ignores the rights and wellbeing of Indigenous communities, and threatens irreplaceable ecosystems in the Arctic.

Removing the protections for these areas is shortsighted.

This landmass is home to several species important to the diversity of life in this region.

It’s short sighted and more importantly unnecessary to start drilling for oil at a time when our nation is already producing record breaking levels of oil.

A temporary burst of money is not worth the permanent destruction of the ecosystem.

Alaaka's wild lands are complex ecosystems whose biodiversity must be protected.

The Department of Interiors proposition to recede protections over Alaskan land is absolutely disgusting.

Rolling back protections to promote drilling and mining would threaten these irreplaceable ecosystems and the communities that depend on them.

Rescinding these protections threatens long-term environmental and cultural health and undermines Indigenous-led efforts, including the proposed Nuiqsut Subsistence Use Special Area.

Removing protections for important wild places such as this is a huge mistake.

All for some temporary money for some temporary oil.

Please continue to protect and preserve our wild lands.

This area is needed to have wildlife flourish and sustain the ecology of our planet.

We can never get this wilderness back if it is ruined by oil drilling.

Recinding these protections is wildly shortsighted.

We need to protect these few wild lands for everyone’s benefit!

Rolling back these science-based protections would pave the way for expanded oil and gas drilling in one of the most ecologically important landscapes in the country.

The impact on these wilderness areas will be detrimental and rapidly increase animal extinction, contribute negatively to climate change, and impact water quality.

Reversing these protections is a short-sighted decision that will do irreparable damage to millions of acres or pristine, ecologically sensitive wilderness that provides critical habitat for plants and wildlife.

We all depend on a healthy environment; we take it for granted at our peril.

These lands are for the enjoyment of everyone, not for the profit of a few who already have more than enough.

The National Petroleum Reserve Alaska, or NPR-A, encompasses 23 million acres of public land (the largest tract in the country) that are vital to wildlife, the climate and the subsistence lifestyles of Indigenous and local communities.

The rapid pace of warming in the Arctic (as much as four times faster than the rest of the world) amplifies the urgency of protecting its delicate landscape from that fossil fuel development.

Once this area is open to any kind of development......it is gone.

Rescinding this regulation would be a grave mistake.

This proposal endangers crucial ecological sites like Teshekpuk Lake and the Colville River.

DO NOT trade these essential and sensitive Arctic Ecosystems for short term oil profits.

Instead of reversing progress, the BLM SHOULD be charting a course toward a post-oil future for the region, one that respects Indigenous sovereignty, protects globally significant ecosystems, and addresses the urgent demands of the climate crisis.

The rapid pace of global warming in the Arctic (as much as four times faster than the rest of the world) amplifies the urgency of protecting its delicate landscape from that fossil fuel development.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing to rescind a 2024 rule that expanded protections across parts of the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska (NPR-A). The 2024 rule had limited development in Special Areas important for wildlife and Alaska Native subsistence. This proposal would roll back those protections and revise how those areas are managed going forward.

What’s the Public Really Saying?

Current Rules

Deep Seabed Mining: License and Permit Updates

Endangered Species Status for Seven Pangolins

BLM Rule to Repeal 2024 Protections in Alaska’s Petroleum Reserve