The Northampton County Board of Supervisors has officially opposed a proposed commercial lease that could open the door to subsea mining offshore of Virginia.

The vote comes as the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) considers an unsolicited request from Florida-based Odyssey Marine Exploration. The company submitted the proposal in November 2025, asking the federal government to hold a commercial lease sale for hard minerals on the Outer Continental Shelf offshore the Commonwealth.

BOEM said it reviewed the request, including the proposed lease area, the targeted minerals—primarily heavy mineral sands and phosphorites—and the available environmental and resource data.

The agency has now taken what it calls a “first step that could potentially lead to a lease sale” by publishing a Request for Information and Interest (RFI).

The public has until July 23 to submit comments, information, and indications of interest.

BOEM emphasized that publishing the RFI does not mean a lease will be issued.

However, the agency said the Trump administration has identified domestic critical minerals as a national priority, arguing that U.S. reliance on foreign sources could jeopardize defense capabilities, infrastructure development, and technological innovation.

BOEM also cited multiple Trump administration executive orders intended to expand and support domestic critical mineral production.

The agency described the RFI as having the potential to advance America’s national security and future prosperity.

Odyssey Marine Exploration is best known for deep-sea shipwreck exploration and salvage operations. In recent years, the company has shifted its focus toward developing offshore critical mineral projects, but it has not operated a commercial offshore mining project.

Northampton County leaders are not sold and not standing by idle.

In the resolution approved this week, supervisors wrote, “Northampton County’s economy, heritage, and quality of life are closely tied to its coastal resources, commercial and recreational fisheries, tourism, agriculture, and maritime industries.”

The resolution continues: “the Board of Supervisors believes that any activity with the potential to affect these resources warrants careful scientific review, meaningful public participation, and thoughtful consideration of long-term environmental and economic impacts,” the resolution stated.

The board also said it will continue to oppose the proposal “unless and until comprehensive scientific, environmental, and economic analyses demonstrate that such activities pose no unacceptable risk to Northampton County, its residents, its economy, or its natural resources.”

The board directed that copies of its resolution be sent to the Governor of Virginia, the county’s legislative delegation, Virginia’s congressional delegation, BOEM, the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, and other appropriate agencies.

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