Carboniferous, Inc. Research Project Overview and Permitting Status

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Overview

On May 13, 2025, the EPA received a complete permit application from Carboniferous, Inc. for a research permit under the Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act. As part of its research project, the applicant proposes to transport and place up to 20 biomass packages within a 3.14 square mile Study Area on the seafloor (centered at 26°56'04.3"N 91°19'37.6"W (NAD 1983)) in the Orca Basin. The Orca Basin is a 61 square mile anoxic, hypersaline basin located 2,200 meters below the ocean surface on the continental shelf in the Gulf of America. The closest U.S. shoreline to the Study Area is Raccoon Island, Louisiana, approximately 168 miles northeast of the study area. Each biomass package would contain up to 1 metric ton of compressed sugarcane bagasse (bound together with burlap bags, manila rope, and bailing twine) and would be attached to a steel anchor using steel shackles. Each biomass package and anchor would be connected to a Sampler System, a steel frame affixed with scientific monitoring equipment designed to collect samples from the seawater surrounding the biomass package. The biomass packages and steel anchors would remain on the seafloor after the conclusion of the research project.

Please refer to the information below for the status of the EPA's assessment of the permit application and opportunities for providing public comment. 

Map of proposed Carboniferous, Inc. Research Project study area and proposed transit route; details provided in caption.
Map of Carboniferous, Inc. Research Project proposed Study Area and transit route. Proposed Study Area is located within the Orca Basin, approximately 168 mi offshore of Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana (148 miles in geodesic distance). The proposed vessel transit route from the Port of Departure (black triangle) to the Study Area (orange marker) is shown as a dotted line. Source: Map prepared by the EPA with data from Carboniferous, Inc.

Project Timeline

Current Status

The EPA is requesting additional data and information on specific technical aspects of the proposed Carboniferous, Inc. research project to further inform the EPA's determination on whether to issue an MPRSA research permit for the proposed project and the terms of any permit, if issued. More information on this request below.

Project Timeline

  • May 13, 2025: The EPA received a complete permit application from Carboniferous, Inc. for the transportation and placement of up to 20 biomass packages into the ocean as part of a research project.
  • May 14, 2025: The EPA initiated Tribal Consultation for a "Permit Application under MPRSA for a Scientific Research Activity by Carboniferous, Inc." with the federally recognized Indian Tribes located in the states along the coast of the Fuld of America (Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas). Information for the Tribal Consultation is available on the EPA's Tribal Consultation Opportunities Tracking System.
  • June 12 to July 14, 2025: The EPA published a notice on June 12, 2025, inviting public review and comment on the EPA's tentative determination to issue a research permit and the conditions of the proposed permit. The EPA held a public listening session on June 25, 2025, during the public comment period.
  • September 24 to October 24, 2025: The EPA is soliciting data and information to support or refute assertions on specific topics already raised during the public comment period. 

Supporting Documents

Supporting documents are available in the public docket on Regulations.gov (Docket ID EPA-HQ-OW-2025-0198). Documents in the docket include:

Request for Additional Data and Information

The EPA is not reopening the public comment period but rather is only soliciting data and information to support or refute assertions on specific topics already raised during the public comment period held from June 12 to July 14, 2025. Additional supporting or refuting data and information on the six topics listed in the Memorandum to Request for Additional Data and Information Related to Proposed MPRSA Research Permit No. EPA-HQ-MPRSA-2025-001 (pdf) may be submitted to the docket at Docket ID EPA-HQ-OW-2025-0198  until 11:59pm EDT on October 24, 2025. The EPA may not consider submissions received after this time.

How to Submit Responses

Responses that provide supporting or refuting data and information, including explanations of relevance and applicability to the six topics listed in the memorandum, may be submitted through the public docket at Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2025-0198 until 11:59 pm EDT on October 24, 2025.  

The EPA encourages responses that are as specific as possible and that refer to the number(s) of the topic(s) in the memorandum that the submitted data or information addresses. Responses may include data or information such as scientific literature or other publications that support or refute the response to the topic(s) being addressed. Copies of the Application, the EPA Fact Sheet for the Proposed Permit, and the Proposed Permit referenced within the six topics are available in the docket.

The EPA will consider data and information submitted on the six topics listed in the memorandum as the EPA considers further action on the tentative determination to issue a research permit for the Carboniferous, Inc. research project. The EPA will generally not consider new comments or data or information that does not support or refute the six topics listed in the memorandum.

More information about commenting on EPA dockets and tips for providing effective comments. 

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Last updated on September 24, 2025