Non-Living Resources 



lations that may be necessary for particular situations in consideration 

 of all resource values. 



The possible need for improved licensing procedures for minerals other 

 than oil, gas, and sulfur which will protect the heavy exploratory invest- 

 ments required to delineate such minerals is under consideration. This 

 project, together \vith increased emphasis on evaluation of OCS resources to 

 guide the timing and extent of oflferings of tracts for lease bids, will be under- 

 taken by an expanded analytical staff in the Bureau of Land Management. 



The Geological Survey's program related to leasing policies includes con- 

 sideration of : ( 1 ) the conservation of mineral resources, ( 2 ) the protection 

 of aquatic life and other natural resources of the marine environment, (3) 

 the safety of life and property, and (4) the protection of the public interest 

 by adequate royalty accounting to insure against potential losses in rental 

 and royalty revenues. 



The Bureau of Land Management, Geological Survey, and Bureau of 

 Commercial Fisheries recently entered into a Memorandum of Agreement 

 outlining procedures to insure that mineral exploration and development 

 under Department of Interior licenses or permits will be compatible with 

 preservation of marine living resources. 



Possible coastal pollution from off-shore industrial activity and safety of 

 these operations are discussed in chapters V and XIII. 



Future Development of the Continental Shelf 



Despite severe shortages of particular mineral commodities from time to 

 time, supply has historically kept pace with demand. Except for short-term 

 fluctuations, the price of mineral commodities relative to the general price 

 level has not changed. This significant achievement is the result of industrial 

 enterprise and continued advances in the techniques of mineral exploration, 

 production, processing, and utilization. 



On land, the lead time from inception of exploration through discovery 

 and development to the beginning of commercial production averages about 

 15 years. This assumes the existence of regional geological knowledge which 

 generally is lacking offshore. To assist in evaluation of marine mineral re- 

 sources, the Marine Sciences Council sponsored a contract study of the eco- 

 nomic potential of material resources of the U.S. Continental Shelf and 

 Slope. The report is scheduled for completion in early 1968. On the basis of 

 existing data about markets and extraction practices, it was found that at 

 least two decades — perhaps more, depending on the rate of exploration and 

 the development of off-shore technology — probably will elapse before the 

 United States can expect significant production of materials other than oil, 

 gas, and sulfur from the Continental Shelf. 



57 



