83 
secure our access to ocean minerals. We must create an investment climate which 
will promote the development of this new minerals frontier while at the same 
time protecting the ocean environment.” 
In a letter to Senator Metcalf dated February 24, 1975, Jack W. 
Carlson, Assistant Secretary of the Interior, further explained: 
We continue to be hopeful that the Third UN Law of the Sea Conference will 
soon reach agreement on a satisfactory international system for managing min- 
erals recovery from the seabed beyond national jurisdiction. In that event, the 
new Ocean Mining Administration will be in place to begin immediately the com- 
prehensive task of harmonizing our programs with those established through the 
treaty. However, I believe that we must also be prepared if the Law of the Sea 
Conference does not reach a timely and successful conclusion, given our responsi- 
bilities to reduce wherever possible the Nation’s dependence on foreign sources of 
raw materials.” 
Leigh 8. Ratiner, who has been Director of the Ocean Mining Devel- 
opment Office on the staff of the Assistant Secretary—Knergy and 
Minerals, was appointed Administrator of the Ocean Mining Admninis- 
tration. The Department of Interior is also reported to be preparing 
deep ocean mining legislation to be introduced into the Congress this 
summer.*” In effect, the draft legislation would give the United Na- 
tions until the end of July 1976 to produce an acceptable seabed re- 
sources treaty. 
TABLE 21.—FUNCTIONS OF THE OCEAN MINING ADMINISTRATION 
Before 1976 
Functions 
Under a law of the sea treaty 
Prepare and finalize environmental 
impact statement in close coordi- 
nation with NOAA. 
Supervise technology and resource 
assessment programs. 
Draft ocean mining regulations for 
both domestic and international 
approach. 
Continue active role in international 
negotiations on the law of the sea. 
Insure compliance by ocean miners with 
treaty. 
Process mining applications by U.S. na- 
tionals and coordinate with international 
authority. 
Promulgate regulations complimentary to 
those of authority. 
Promulgate regulations for submission of 
ata. 
Promote development of knowledge about 
seabed. 
Insure U.S. participation in international 
programs for technical assistance in 
ocean mining. : 
Assist international authority in environ- 
mental studies. 
Nominate and supply U.S. experts to serve 
on international authority ’s commissions. 
Review international authority's regulations. 
Implement investment risk insurance pro- 
gram. 
Under a domestic program 
Comply with national environmental 
Policy Act: Review need for addi- 
tional study before issuing mining 
authorization. 
Promulgate ocean mining regulations. 
Issue mining authorizations and 
insure compliance. 
Coordinate U.S. ocean mining regula- 
tions with those of other nations 
engaging in ocean mining. 
Establish investment risk insurance 
program. 
Continue environmental studies and 
technology and resource assess- 
ments. 
55 Metcalf, Lee. Ocean Floor Mining. Congressional Record, Feb. 26, 1975, p. S 2711. 
56 Tbid., p. S2711. 
57 Ocean Science News, Feb. 14, 1975, p. 4. 
