A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management relating to "Protection of Marine Archaeological Resources".

Became Public Law No: 119-3.

Mar 14, 2025

This joint resolution rescinds a requirement that lessees and operators submit archaeological reports when submitting oil and gas exploration or development plans to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) for Outer Continental Shelf activities. It nullifies BOEM's final rule on Protection of Marine Archaeological Resources published September 3, 2024. The resolution reinstates prior regulations that allowed BOEM to require archaeological reports only when a BOEM regional director has reason to believe an archaeological resource may be present in the lease area.

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This joint resolution rescinds a requirement for lessees and operators to submit an archaeological report with any oil and gas exploration or development plan they submit to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) for approval of activities proposed on the Outer Continental Shelf. (An archaeological report identifies material remains of human life or activities that are at least 50 years old and that are of archaeological interest.) Specifically, the joint resolution nullifies BOEM's final rule titled Protection of Marine Archaeological Resources and published on September 3, 2024. Nullifying this rule requires BOEM to reinstate regulations that were previously in effect and authorized BOEM to require an archaeological report only if a BOEM regional director has reason to believe that an archaeological resource may be present in the lease area.