Memorandum on Withdrawal of Certain Areas off the Atlantic Coast on the Outer Continental Shelf From Mineral Leasing
Issued 2016-12-20 by Barack Obama
Plain-English Overview
AI-generated summary explaining what this action does, who it affects, and why it matters
President Obama issued this memorandum directing the Secretary of the Interior to permanently block oil and gas leasing in 26 underwater canyons along the Atlantic coast. These areas, which sit on the outer continental shelf off the North Atlantic and Mid-Atlantic coasts, will be withdrawn from mineral leasing "for a time period without specific expiration." The action prevents the government from offering these areas for oil and gas exploration, development, or production in the future.
The withdrawal affects federal waters containing canyons that the memorandum describes as critical habitat for marine mammals, deep-water corals, and other wildlife. The action does not affect any existing leases in these areas—only future leasing decisions. The specific boundaries of the protected areas are defined in an attached map and table identifying particular blocks on the outer continental shelf.
The President acted under authority granted by the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, a federal law that gives the President power to withdraw certain areas from mineral leasing. The memorandum frames this as an exercise of responsible public stewardship to ensure these marine resources remain available for future generations. As a presidential memorandum directing an executive agency, this represents a standard administrative tool used by modern presidents to guide federal agencies on policy priorities within existing law.
AI-generated summary for educational purposes
Constitutional Analysis
How this action fits (or doesn't) within Article II authority and existing law
This presidential memorandum ("Memorandum on Withdrawal of Certain Areas off the Atlantic Coast on the Outer Continental Shelf From Mineral Leasing") provides direction to executive branch agencies. The stated purpose: "that the unique resources associated with these canyons remain available for future generations, I hereby direct as follows: Under the authority granted to me in section 12(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, 43 U." Presidential memoranda function similarly to executive orders but are typically more narrow in scope, addressing specific agencies or implementation details. The President's authority to direct executive branch operations is grounded in Article II of the Constitution.
Memoranda are a routine administrative tool. They guide agencies on priorities, interpretation of statutes, and implementation procedures. As long as they operate within the bounds of existing law and respect congressional mandates, they are a standard exercise of presidential power that every modern administration has used.
Official Summary
Administration of Barack Obama, 2016 Memorandum on Withdrawal of Certain Areas off the Atlantic Coast on the Outer Continental Shelf From Mineral Leasing December 20, 2016 Memorandum for the Secretary of the Interior Subject: Withdrawal of Certain Areas off the Atlantic Coast on the Outer Continental Shelf from Mineral Leasing Consistent with principles of responsible public stewardship entrusted to this office, with due consideration of the critical importance of canyons along the edge of the Atlantic continental shelf for marine mammals, deep water corals, other wildlife, and wildlife habitat, and to ensure that the unique resources associated with these canyons remain available for future generations, I hereby direct as follows: Under the authority granted to me in section 12(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, 43 U.S.C. 1341(a), I hereby withdraw from disposition by leasing for a time period without specific expiration the areas of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) associated with 26 major canyons and canyon complexes offshore the Atlantic coast lying within areas currently designated by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management as the North Atlantic and Mid-Atlantic Planning Areas. The boundaries are delineated in the attached map and accompanying tab