PART 251—GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL (G&G) EXPLORATIONS OF THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF Authority: 31 U.S.C. 9701, 43 U.S.C. 1334. Source: 76 FR 64462, Oct. 18, 2011, unless otherwise noted. § 251.1 Definitions. Terms used in this part have the following meaning: Act et seq. Analyzed geological information Archaeological interest Archaeological resources Coastal environment Coastal Zone Coastal Zone Management Act et seq. Data Deep stratigraphic test Director Exploration (1) Geological and geophysical marine and airborne surveys where magnetic, gravity, seismic reflection, seismic refraction, gas sniffers, coring, or other systems are used to detect or imply the presence of oil, gas, or sulphur; and (2) Any drilling, whether on or off a geological structure. Geological and geophysical scientific research Geological exploration Geological information Geophysical data Geophysical exploration Geophysical information Governor Human environment Hydrocarbon occurrence Interpreted geological information Interpreted geophysical information Lease Lessee Marine environment Material remains Minerals Notice Oil, gas, and sulphur Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Permit (1) Geological exploration for mineral resources; (2) Geophysical exploration for mineral resources; (3) Geological scientific research; or (4) Geophysical scientific research. Permittee Person Processed geological or geophysical information Secretary Shallow test drilling Significant archaeological resource Third Party Violation You § 251.2 [Reserved] § 251.3 Authority and applicability of this part. BSEE authorizes you to conduct exploration or scientific research activities under this part in accordance with the Act, the regulations in this part, orders of the Director/Regional Director, and other applicable statutes, regulations, and amendments. (a) This part does not apply to G&G exploration conducted by or on behalf of the lessee on a lease in the OCS. Refer to 30 CFR part 550 if you plan to conduct G&G activities related to oil, gas, or sulphur under terms of a lease. (b) Federal agencies are exempt from the regulations in this part. (c) G&G exploration or G&G scientific research related to minerals other than oil, gas, and sulphur is covered by regulations at 30 CFR part 580. §§ 251.4-251.6 [Reserved] § 251.7 Test drilling activities under a permit. (a) [Reserved] (b) Deep stratigraphic tests. (1) Drilling plan. (i) The proposed type, sequence, and timetable of drilling activities; (ii) A description of your drilling rig, indicating the important features with special attention to safety, pollution prevention, oil-spill containment and cleanup plans, and onshore disposal procedures; (iii) The location of each deep stratigraphic test you will conduct, including the location of the surface and projected bottomhole of the borehole; (iv) The types of geological and geophysical survey instruments you will use before and during drilling; (v) Seismic, bathymetric, sidescan sonar, magnetometer, or other geophysical data and information sufficient to evaluate seafloor characteristics, shallow geologic hazards, and structural detail across and in the vicinity of the proposed test to the total depth of the proposed test well; and (vi) Other relevant data and information that the BOEM Regional Director requires. (2) Environmental report. (i) A summary with data and information available at the time you submitted the related drilling plan. BOEM will consider site-specific data and information developed since the most recent environmental impact statement or other environmental impact analysis in the immediate area. The summary must meet the following requirements: (A) You must concentrate on the issues specific to the site(s) of drilling activity. However, you only need to summarize data and information discussed in any environmental reports, analyses, or impact statements prepared for the geographic area of the drilling activity. (B) You must list referenced material. Include brief descriptions and a statement of where the material is available for inspection. (C) You must refer only to data that are available to BOEM. (ii) Details about your project such as: (A) A list and description of new or unusual technologies; (B) The location of travel routes for supplies and personnel; (C) The kinds and approximate levels of energy sources; (D) The environmental monitoring systems; and (E) Suitable maps and diagrams showing details of the proposed project layout. (iii) A description of the existing environment. For this section, you must include the following information on the area: (A) Geology; (B) Physical oceanography; (C) Other uses of the area; (D) Flora and fauna; (E) Existing environmental monitoring systems; and (F) Other unusual or unique characteristics that may affect or be affected by the drilling activities. (iv) A description of the probable impacts of the proposed action on the environment and the measures you propose for mitigating these impacts. (v) A description of any unavoidable or irreversible adverse effects on the environment that could occur. (vi) Other relevant data that the BOEM Regional Director requires. (3) Copies for coastal States. (4) Certification of coastal zone management program consistency and State concurrence. (5) Protecting archaeological resources. (i) If the evidence suggests that an archaeological resource may be present, you must: (A) Locate the site of the drilling so as to not adversely affect the area where the archaeological resources may be, or (B) Establish to the satisfaction of the BOEM Regional Director that an archaeological resource does not exist or will not be adversely affected by drilling. This must be done by further archaeological investigation, conducted by an archaeologist and a geophysicist, using survey equipment and techniques deemed necessary by the Regional Director. A report on the investigation must be submitted to the BOEM Regional Director for review. (ii) If the BOEM Regional Director determines that an archaeological resource is likely to be present in the area that may be affected by drilling, and may be adversely affected by drilling, the BOEM Regional Director will notify you immediately. You must take no action that may adversely affect the archaeological resource unless further investigations determine that the resource is not archaeologically significant. (iii) If you discover any archaeological resource while drilling, you must immediately halt drilling and report the discovery to the BOEM Regional Director. If investigations determine that the resource is significant, the BOEM Regional Director will inform you how to protect it. (6) Application for permit to drill (APD). (7) Revising an approved drilling plan. (8) After drilling. (9) Deadline for completing a deep stratigraphic test. (c)-(d) [Reserved] §§ 251.8-251.14 [Reserved] § 251.15 Authority for information collection. The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information collection requirements in this part under 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. Application for Permit to Drill (APD, Revised APD) Supplemental APD Information Sheet, and all supporting documents. [81 FR 36151, June 6, 2016]