Increased State Control Over Offshore Waters and Resources
This act grants Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama greater control over managing their offshore waters, including oil and gas extraction and fisheries. This means decisions regarding these areas will be made closer to local communities, potentially impacting local jobs and the environment. States will be able to set their own rules and collect revenues from new leases.
Key points
Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama can manage offshore areas up to 3 marine leagues from their coastlines, instead of the current 3 geographical miles.
States will gain the authority to issue new leases for oil, gas, and other energy activities in the expanded submerged lands.
States will be able to collect rentals, royalties, and other sums from new leases, potentially increasing their revenues.
States will also oversee fisheries management in these expanded areas, with exceptions for highly migratory and endangered species.
States will be responsible for indemnifying the U.S. for liabilities to existing leaseholders due to property interest takings or contract breaches.
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