[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 15, Volume 3]
[Revised as of January 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 15CFR970.503]

[Page 323-324]
 
                  TITLE 15--COMMERCE AND FOREIGN TRADE
 
CHAPTER IX--NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT 
                               OF COMMERCE
 
PART 970--DEEP SEABED MINING REGULATIONS FOR EXPLORATION LICENSES--Table of Contents
 
     Subpart E--Issuance/Transfer/Terms, Conditions and Restrictions
 
Sec. 970.503  Freedom of the high seas.

    (a) Before issuing or transferring an exploration license, the 
Administrator must find that the exploration proposed in the application 
will not unreasonably interfere with the exercise of the freedoms of the 
high seas by other nations, as recognized under general principles of 
international law.
    (b) In making this finding, the Administrator will recognize that 
exploration for hard mineral resources of the deep seabed is a freedom 
of the

[[Page 324]]

high seas. In the exercise of this right, each licensee must act with 
reasonable regard for the interests of other nations in their exercise 
of the freedoms of the high seas.
    (c)(1) In the event of a conflict between the exploration program of 
an applicant or licensee and a competing use of the high seas by another 
nation or its nationals, the Administrator, in consultation and 
cooperation with the Department of State and other interested agencies, 
will enter into negotiations with that nation to resolve the conflict. 
To the maximum extent possible the Administrator will endeavor to 
resolve the conflict in a manner that will allow both uses to take place 
in a manner in which neither will unreasonably interfere with the other.
    (2) If both uses cannot be conducted harmoniously in the area 
subject to the exploration plan, the Administrator will decide whether 
to issue or transfer the license.