Northampton County officials are reviewing a new federal proposal that could open the door to seabed mining off the seaside of the Eastern Shore, in waters beyond the state’s jurisdiction.
he Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued a Request for Information and Interest on Tuesday seeking public input on potential mineral leasing in a portion of the federal Outer Continental Shelf offshore of Virginia. The 30-day public comment period runs through July 23. BOEM has emphasized that the request is an early planning step and does not represent a final decision to authorize mining or issue a lease.
The proposal stems from a November 2025 unsolicited request submitted by Odyssey Marine Exploration for a potential lease sale involving heavy mineral sands and phosphorites offshore Virginia. BOEM is seeking comments on mineral resources, environmental concerns, and possible conflicts with fishing, shipping, energy development, military activities, and other ocean uses…