285.417—When may MMS order a suspension?

(a) The MMS may order a suspension under the following circumstances:
(1) When necessary to comply with judicial decrees prohibiting some or all activities under your lease;
(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; or
(3) When the suspension is necessary for reasons of national security or defense.
(b) If MMS 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 one paper copy and one electronic copy of the study and results to us;
(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.