Public Comment Closing On Federal Plans for Space Launch, Recovery Along the Outer Continental Shelf
Summary
The U.S. government has stopped requiring archaeological surveys for projects on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), a large area of submerged land off the U.S. coast. This change raises concerns among Native groups about the protection of their cultural artifacts and sacred sites as the government plans to develop space launch and recovery facilities there.Key Facts
- Since March 2025, archaeological surveys are no longer mandatory for development projects on the OCS.
- The Outer Continental Shelf covers 3.2 billion acres of underwater land extending up to 200 nautical miles from the U.S. coast.
- Congress removed requirements to report cultural artifacts during project proposals on the OCS.
- The Department of the Interior is considering space launch and recovery infrastructure on the OCS.
- Native communities, like the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, fear loss of protection for sacred sites and artifacts underwater.
- Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act used to require federal agencies to consider impacts on cultural sites, but revisions are reducing tribal consultation.
- Some tribes plan to use treaty rights to protect affected lands, while others without formal recognition lack legal protections.
- Local organizations like the Northwest American Indian Coalition represent tribes without federal recognition for these issues.
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