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(3) that the issuance of a license does not conflict 
with any obligations of the United States, established by 
treaty or other international agreement; and 
(4) that operations under the license will not pose 
an unreasonable threat to the integrity of the marine 
environment and that all reasonable precautions will be 
taken to minimize any adverse impact on that environ- 
ment. 
(b) NatuRE AND Duration or Licensr.—(1) Sub- 
ject to the provisions of section 12 hereof, any license issued 
pursuant to this Act shall be exclusive as against all persons 
subject to the jurisdiction of the United States or of any 
reciprocating State, and shall authorize development of the 
hard mineral resources of the deep seabed for specified blocks 
thereof: Provided, That in no event shall any license issued 
under this Act authorize the commercial recovery of such 
resources prior to January 1, 1976: And provided further, 
That, except to the extent that such licenses are authorized 
pursuant to the provisions of an international agreement es- 
| tablishing a regime for the development of mineral resources 
of the international seabed area beyond the limits of coastal 
State territorial or resource jurisdiction, no licenses shall be 
issued under this Act subsequent to the ratification by the 
United States of any such international agreement. 
