1998 Year of the Ocean Ocean Energy and Minerals 



Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, 1953 



The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act established federal jurisdiction over submerged 

 lands on the OCS and gave the Secretary of the Interior responsibility for administering energy 

 and non-energy mineral exploration and development on the OCS. Additionally, it gave the 

 federal government a mandate to develop OCS resources, explicitly stating that there was "an 

 urgent need for further exploration and development of the oil and gas deposits of the submerged 

 lands of the Outer Continental Shelf" It authorized the Secretary to lease the federal OCS for 

 mineral exploration, development, and production and provided for limited state involvement. 



Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Amendments of 1978 



The Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act amendments of 1978 included many new 

 provisions such as consultation with coastal states and other interested parties, environmental 

 assessment, studies programs, planning, remedies and penalties, and a process for developing 

 leasing schedules in 5-year increments. While they include requirements for coordination and 

 consultation with state and local governments concerning OCS activities, the amendments 

 retained the Secretary of the Interior's broad discretion in managing OCS resources. The national 

 purposes and policies set forth in the 1978 amendments recognize the dual goals of 

 environmental protection and expedited exploration and development. 



Presidential Proclamation Creating the Exclusive Economic Zone 



On March 10, 1983, U.S. President Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5030. which 

 established the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone. This consists of those areas adjoining the 

 territorial sea of the United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the 

 Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. overseas territories and possessions. The U.S. Exclusive 

 Economic Zone extends up to 370 km from the U.S. coastline. About 15 percent of this area lies 

 on the geologic continental shelf and is shallower than 200 meters. 



Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Amendments of 1985 



The 1985 OCS Lands Act amendments resolved a dispute over how the federal 

 government shares nearshore revenues with affected states, as required in section 8(g) of the 

 OCS Lands Act. The amendments mandated that 27 percent of all revenues from production 

 within 3 miles seaward of the federal-state boundary be given to the states. They also set a 

 schedule for distribution on revenues placed in escrow pending settlement of any jurisdictional 

 disputes between the federal and state governments. 



Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Amendments of 1994 



The 1994 OCS Lands Act amendments authorized the Secretary >of the Interior to 

 negotiate agreements (rather than conduct a competitive lease sale) for sand, gravel, and shell 



D-5 



