Notice of pre-license exploration voyages

(a) General. Any United States citizen who schedules an exploration voyage to begin after November 20, 1980 shall file written notice with the Administrator which sets out:

(1) The name, address and telephone number of the citizen;

(2) The anticipated date of commencement of the voyage and its planned duration;

(3) The exploration activities to be carried out on the voyage, including a general description of the equipment and methods to be used, and an estimate of the anticipated extent of seabed disturbance and effluent discharge; and

(4) If the U.S. citizen has not filed a notice of pre-enactment exploration in accordance with § 970.2402, the information specified in § 970.2402(b).

(b) When and where to file Notice of future exploration—(1) When. (i) Except as allowed in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, the notice required by paragraph (a) of this section must be filed not later than 45 days prior to the date on which the exploration voyage is scheduled to begin.

(ii) With respect to filing of the information referred to in paragraph (a)(4) of this section, the filing dates specified in paragraph (b) of this section shall prevail over the date specified in § 970.2402(a).

(2) Exception. If an exploration voyage is scheduled to begin before January 5, 1981, the notice required by paragraph (a) of this section must be filed on or before December 22, 1980.

(3) Where. The notice required by paragraph (a) of this section must be filed in writing with the Administrator, at the address specified in § 970.2402(a) of this part.