DEVELOPMENT OF THE HARD MINERAL RESOURCES OF THE DEEP SEABED HEARINGS BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON MINES AND MINING OF THE COMMITTEE ON INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS NINETY-FIFTH CONGRESS FIRST SESSION ON H.R. 3350 TO PROMOTE THE ORDERLY DEVELOPMENT OF HARD MIN- AND H.R. 3652 TO INSURE THE DEVELOPMENT OF UNITED STATES OCEAN 22-930 O HEARINGS HELD IN WASHINGTON, D.C. Serial No. 95-7 Printed for the use of the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE WASHINGTON: 1978 10 169ST XL1 04/94 53-005-00 Hodsoll, Frank, chief committee negotiator and director, Office of the Law of the Sea, and vice chairman, Interagency Group for Law of Breaux, Hon. John B., a U.S. Representative from the State of Louisi- Ely, Northcutt, counsel, Deepsea Ventures, Inc., Gloucester Point, Va.-85, 250 - 99, 274 82, 238 Murphy, Hon. John M., a U.S. Representative from the State of New Welling, Conrad G., program manager of ocean mining, ocean systems, 108, 285 Statements: Bedell, Hon. Berkley, a U.S. Representative from the State of Iowa.. Charney, Jonathan I., professor, School of Law, Vanderbilt University. Honkala, Adolf, Association of Professional Geoscientists ___ 140, 385 Richardson, Elliot L., Ambassador-at-Large, and Special Representa- 154, 389 DEVELOPMENT OF THE HARD MINERAL RESOURCES OF THE DEEP SEABED TUESDAY, MARCH 29, 1977 U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, COMMITTEE ON INTERIOR AND INSULAR AFFAIRS, Washington, D.C. The subcommittee met at 10 a.m., pursuant to notice, room 2118, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Abraham Kazen, Jr. (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding. Mr. KAZEN. The Subcommittee on Mines and Mining will come to order. Today, the subcommittee is starting hearings on bills dealing with the development of the hard mineral resources of the deep seabed. The two principal bills which have been referred to the subcommittee are H.R. 3350-introduced by Mr. Murphy of New York, and H.R. 3652-introduced by Mr. Fraser. We will recognize Mr. Frank Hodsoll, Chief Committee I Negotiator, Office of the Director, Office of the Law of the Sea, Department of State, and Executive Director of the Intergovernmental Group for Law of the Sea. Let me say that we have been advised that the administration has not yet formulated a position on the ocean mining bills which have been referred to us. They expect to have a firm position developed by the first part of May. We will ask for additional testimony on the part of the administration a little later on. The position of those in the private sector who are interested in the development of hard minerals in the deep seabed seems to be well established, and we will hear from public witnesses at our next two meetings scheduled for April 4 and 5. Development of the mineral resources of the sea which lie beyond the boundaries of any nation has been the subject of extensive international discussion and negotiation. Most of the negotiation has taken place at the Law of the Sea Conferences. Although efforts are continuing, no agreement has yet been reached on a treaty. What has and will be happening at the Law of the Sea Conference has a very direct bearing on the legislation which the subcommittee will consider. Because of that, it is important that the members have an understanding of the Conference and its work, and of the present status of the treaty negotiations. Mr. Hodsoll will provide us with that information. Mr. Hodsoll, we are happy to have you with us this morning. I am sorry we delayed you, but you see what problems the committee had this morning. (1) |