Federal deep-sea mining proposal sparks backlash from Santa Cruz County leaders

"The resolution, drawn up by 3rd District Supervisor Justin Cummings, states that deep-sea mining remains an unproven, speculative industry with no demonstrated record of safe commercial-scale operation, while existing coastal and ocean economies including fisheries, tourism, recreation, and cultural practices depend upon healthy marine ecosystems that could be jeopardized by seabed mining impacts."

"The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management shared a notice of proposed rulemaking on Monday that, if approved, would expedite the leasing of large offshore areas for deep-sea mineral extraction, including waters near American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Alaska and Virginia. The 60-day comment period began Tuesday and will run until April 27."

"Supervisor Manu Koenig said a recent roundtable with local environmental experts revealed that the Central Coast is likely to attract attention from mining project developers because of the Davidson Seamount off the coast of Big Sur, which is imbued with an abundance of rare earth minerals."

Santa Cruz County's Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution opposing federal actions to expedite seabed mining permits in coastal waters. The resolution states that deep-sea mining is an unproven, speculative industry lacking demonstrated safe commercial-scale operation records. Local economies including fisheries, tourism, recreation, and cultural practices depend on healthy marine ecosystems that could be jeopardized by seabed mining. The U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management proposed a rulemaking that would expedite offshore mineral extraction leasing near American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Alaska, and Virginia. Though California's coast wasn't explicitly mentioned, local experts identified the Davidson Seamount off Big Sur as a likely target due to its rare earth mineral abundance.

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