15 C.F.R. Subpart D—Certification of Applications
Title 15 - Commerce and Foreign Trade
Source: 46 FR 45902, Sept. 15, 1981, unless otherwise noted.
(a) Certification is an intermediate step between receipt of an application for issuance or transfer of a license and its actual issuance or transfer. It is a determination which focuses on the eligibility of the applicant. (b) Before the Administrator may certify an application for issuance or transfer of a license, he must determine that issuance of the license would not violate any of the restrictions in §970.103(b). He also must make written determinations with respect to the requirements set forth in §§970.401 through 970.406. This will be done after consultation with other departments and agencies pursuant to §970.211. (c) To the maximum extent possible, the Administrator will endeavor to complete certification of an application within 100 days after submission of an application which is in full compliance with Subpart B of this part. If final certification or denial of certification has not occurred within 100 days after such submission of the application, the Administrator will inform the applicant in writing of the pending unresolved issues, the agency's efforts to resolve them, and an estimate of the time required to do so. (a) Before the Administrator may certify an application for an exploration license he must find that the applicant has demonstrated that, upon issuance or transfer of the license, the applicant will be financially responsible to meet all obligations which he may require to engage in the exploration proposed in the application. (b) In order for the Administrator to make this determination, the applicant must show to the Administrator's satisfaction that he is reasonably capable of committing or raising sufficient resources to carry out, in accordance with the provisions contained in this part, the exploration program set forth in his exploration plan. (a) Before the Administrator may certify an application for an exploration license, he must find that the applicant has demonstrated that, upon issuance or transfer of the license, the applicant will possess, or have access to or a reasonable expectation of obtaining, the technological capability to engage in the proposed exploration. (b) In order for the Administrator to make this determination, the applicant must demonstrate to the Administrator's satisfaction that the applicant will possess or have access to, at the time of issuance or transfer of the license, the technology and expertise, as needed, to carry out the exploration program set forth in his exploration plan. In order to certify an application, the Administrator must find that the applicant has satisfactorily fulfilled all past obligations under any license or permit previously issued or transferred to the applicant under the Act. Before he may certify an application, the Administrator must find that the proposed exploration plan of the applicant meets the requirements of §970.203. Before the Administrator may certify an application, he must approve the size and location of the exploration area selected by the applicant. The Administrator will approve the size and location of the area unless he determines that the area is not a logical mining unit pursuant to §970.601. Before the Administrator may certify an application, he must find that the applicant has paid the license fee as specified in §970.208. (a) The Administrator may deny certification of an application if he finds that the requirements of this subpart have not been met. If, in the course of reviewing an application for certification, the Administrator becomes aware of the fact that one or more of the requirements for issuance or transfer under §§970.503 through 970.507 will not be met, he may also deny certification of the application. (b) When the Administrator proposes to deny certification he will send to the applicant, and publish in the (1) The basis upon which the Administrator proposes to deny certification; and (2) If the basis for the proposed denial is a deficiency which the Administrator believes the applicant can correct: (i) The action believed necessary to correct the deficiency; and (ii) The time within which any correctable deficiency must be corrected (the period of time may not exceed 180 days except as specified by the Administrator for good cause). (c) The Administrator will deny certification: (1) On the 30th day after the date the notice is sent to the applicant, under paragraph (b) of this section, unless before such 30th day the applicant files with the Administrator a written request for an administrative review of the proposed denial; or (2) On the last day of the period established under paragraph (b)(2)(ii) of this section in which the applicant must correct a deficiency, if such deficiency has not been corrected before such day and an administrative review requested pursuant to paragraph (c)(1) of this section is not pending or in progress. (d) If a timely request for administrative review of the proposed denial is made by the applicant under paragraph (c)(1) of this section, the Administrator will promptly begin a formal hearing in accordance with Subpart I of 15 CFR part 971. If the proposed denial is the result of a correctable deficiency, the administrative review will proceed concurrently with any attempts to correct the deficiency, unless the parties agree otherwise or the administrative law judge orders differently. (e) If the Administrator denies certification, he will send to the applicant written notice of the denial, including the reasons therefor. (f) Any final determination by the Administrator granting or denying certification is subject to judicial review as provided in Chapter 7 of Title 5, United States Code. [46 FR 45902, Sept. 15, 1981, as amended at 54 FR 547, Jan. 6, 1989] Upon making a final determination to certify an application for an exploration license, the Administrator will promptly send written notice of his determination to the applicant.
Title 15: Commerce and Foreign Trade
PART 970—DEEP SEABED MINING REGULATIONS FOR EXPLORATION LICENSES
Subpart D—Certification of Applications
§ 970.400 General.
§ 970.401 Financial responsibility.
§ 970.402 Technological capability.
§ 970.403 Previous license and permit obligations.
§ 970.404 Adequate exploration plan.
§ 970.405 Appropriate exploration site size and location.
§ 970.406 Fee payment.
§ 970.407 Denial of certification.
§ 970.408 Notice of certification.
