BOEMFinal Rule
Protection of Marine Archaeological Resources
EnergyEnvironment
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Summary
This regulation protects shipwrecks, sunken artifacts, and other historical sites on the ocean floor from being damaged or destroyed during offshore oil and gas development activities. The rule ensures that companies working in federal ocean waters must check for archaeological treasures before starting projects and take steps to avoid harming them.
Key Points
- 1Companies doing offshore drilling or construction must survey the ocean floor for shipwrecks and artifacts before beginning work
- 2If archaeologically important sites are found, companies must change their plans to avoid damaging or destroying them
- 3The rule applies to all federal waters where oil, gas, wind, and other energy projects operate
- 4Violations can result in fines and project delays or shutdowns
- 5The regulation helps preserve U.S. history and cultural heritage while still allowing ocean resource development
Key Dates
Published
April 14, 2025
This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.
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