Northampton County urges public participation on offshore mineral leasing proposal before July 23 deadline

EASTVILLE, Va.— Northampton County is encouraging residents to participate in the federal public comment process on a proposal that could eventually lead to offshore mineral exploration and potential seabed mining off Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

In a H.O.T. Off The Press  public information newsletter distributed this week, county officials urged residents to submit comments to the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) before the agency’s public comment period closes at 11:59 p.m. Eastern on July 23.

The federal review is part of BOEM’s recently announced Request for Information and Interest (RFI), which seeks public input and industry feedback on whether the agency should continue evaluating a potential mineral lease sale on the Outer Continental Shelf offshore Virginia.

The proposal originated from an unsolicited lease request submitted in November 2025 by Odyssey Marine Exploration. According to information summarized by the county, the area under consideration encompasses approximately 2,764 square miles of the Atlantic Ocean, extending from roughly three nautical miles offshore—the boundary between state and federal waters—to about 50 miles offshore.

The request focuses on evaluating mineral resources including phosphate, titanium, zirconium and rare earth elements used in a variety of manufacturing and technology applications.

According to BOEM, the current Request for Information does not authorize mining. Instead, it is intended to gauge industry interest and gather public input before the agency decides whether to move forward with additional leasing steps. If BOEM advances the process, future phases would include environmental reviews, consultations with state and federal agencies, and additional opportunities for public comment before any mineral extraction could occur.

County outlines environmental and economic concerns

The county’s newsletter raises several concerns about the potential impacts of offshore mineral development if the project ultimately proceeds.

Officials say large-scale dredging operations could affect the Eastern Shore’s aquaculture industry by generating sediment plumes capable of reducing water clarity and depositing fine sediments on shellfish beds. The newsletter notes that Northampton County’s economy depends heavily on oyster and clam aquaculture.

The publication also warns that changes to offshore seabed conditions could influence wave patterns and sediment movement that help maintain the region’s barrier islands, which provide natural protection from storms and erosion.

Additional concerns cited by the county include potential impacts on marine habitats, underwater noise affecting marine mammals—including the endangered North Atlantic right whale—and possible effects on recreational and commercial fisheries that depend on productive offshore habitats.

The newsletter also acknowledges that supporters of the proposal have suggested clean sand remaining after mineral separation could potentially be used for future beach nourishment and coastal resilience projects along Virginia’s coastline.

How residents can participate

Residents wishing to comment may submit statements through the federal rulemaking portal by searching for docket BOEM-2026-0100. Comments may also be submitted by email or mailed directly to BOEM’s Office of Strategic Resources, Marine Minerals Division in Sterling, Virginia.

BOEM is also accepting general inquiries regarding the proposal through its project staff.

The public comment period closes July 23, 2026.

County officials encouraged residents to review the proposal and submit comments reflecting their own views before the federal deadline.

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Wayne Creed

Administrator

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