(a) BSEE may order a suspension under the following circumstances:

(1) When necessary to comply with judicial decrees prohibiting some or all activities under your lease; or

(2) When continued activities pose an imminent threat of serious or irreparable harm or damage to natural resources; life (including human and wildlife); property; the marine, coastal, or human environment; or sites, structures, or objects of historical or archaeological significance.

(b) If BSEE orders a suspension under paragraph (a)(2) of this section, and if you wish to resume activities, we may require you to conduct a site-specific study that evaluates the cause of the harm, the potential damage, and the available mitigation measures. Other requirements and actions may occur:

(1) You may be required to pay for the study;

(2) You must furnish an electronic copy of the study and results to BSEE pursuant to § 285.110;

(3) We will make the results available to other interested parties and to the public; and

(4) We will use the results of the study and any other information that become available:

(i) To decide if the suspension order can be lifted; and

(ii) To determine any actions that you must take to mitigate or avoid any damage to natural resources; life (including human and wildlife); property; the marine, coastal, or human environment; or sites, structures, or objects of historical or archaeological significance.

[88 FR 6413, Jan. 31, 2023, as amended at 89 FR 42714, May 15, 2024]