"Confusion over the regulatory regime governing the mining of minerals other than oil, gas, and sulphur on the U.S. continental shelf has been cited by many in the marine mining industry as a primary impediment to the development of offshore hard mineral resources. The purpose of this guide is to present an overview of existing laws and regulations governing hard mineral mining on the continental shelf. A summary of the salient features of the present legal framework on both the federal and state level may help to reduce some of the confusion expressed by the marine mining industry and assist in the thoughtful and efficient development of marine mineral resources. The guide has been organized around four primary topics: an introduction to state/federal jurisdiction; federal laws applicable in federal waters; federal laws applicable in state waters; and state laws applicable in state waters. A number of headings and subheadings divide the material into manageable sections and provide quick access to issues of interest"--National Sea Grant Library publication website