BOEM will make a determination as to whether the project, as described in §583.300, qualifies for a negotiated noncompetitive agreement for the use of OCS sand, gravel, and/or shell resources. Within 15 business days of receipt of the application, BOEM will determine if the application is complete or will request additional information. After it has determined the application is complete, BOEM will review the application and notify the applicant in writing whether the project qualifies for an agreement. In determining whether a project qualifies for an agreement, BOEM will consider, among other criteria, the following:

(a) The project purpose;

(b) Other uses of OCS sand, gravel, and/or shell resources from the same borrow area that are currently or were previously authorized by BOEM for other projects or programs, including the location, type and volume of such resources;

(c) The project funding source(s) and amounts;

(d) The proposed design and feasibility of the project;

(e) Any potential environmental and safety risks associated with the project;

(f) Other federal interests located near or within the specified borrow area;

(g) Comments received from potentially affected state or local governments, if any;

(h) The applicant's background and experience working on similar projects or activities;

(i) Whether the project operations can be conducted in a manner that protects the environment and promotes orderly development of OCS mineral resources;

(j) Whether activities can be conducted in a manner that does not pose a threat of serious harm or damage to, or waste of, any natural resource, any life (including fish and other aquatic life), property, or the marine, coastal, or human environment; and

(k) Whether the project is consistent with the requirements of applicable statutes and their implementing regulations, which may include, but are not limited to, the Endangered Species Act (ESA) (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.), the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) (16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.), the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act (MDRPRA) (33 U.S.C. 1951 et seq.), the Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act (MPPRCA) (33 U.S.C. 1901 et seq.), the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) (33 U.S.C. 1381 et seq.), and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), MARPOL-Annex V Treaty.