94 STAT. 574
PUBLIC LAW 96-283—JUNE 28, 1980 action with respect to the alleged violation in a court of the United States; except that in any such civil action, any person having a valid legal interest which is or may be adversely affected by the alleged violation may intervene; or (2) under subsection (a)(2) of this section, prior to 60 days after the plaintiff has given notice of such action to the Administrator. Notice under this subsection shall be given in such a manner as the Administrator shall prescribe by regulation. (c) COSTS AND FEES.—The court, in issuing any final order in any action brought under subsection (a) of this section, may award costs of litigation, including reasonable attorney and expert witness fees, to any party whenever the court determines that such an award is appropriate. (d) RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAW.—Nothing in this section shall restrict the rights which any person or class of persons may have under other law to seek enforcement or to seek any other relief. All vessel safety and environmental requirements of or under this Act shall be in addition to other requirements of law.
30 USC 1428.
SEC. 118. RECIPROCATING STATES.
(a) DESIGNATION.—The Administrator, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the heads of other appropriate departments and agencies, may designate any foreign nation as a reciprocating state if the Secretary of State finds that such foreign nation— (1) regulates the conduct of its citizens and other persons subject to its jurisdiction engaged in exploration for, and commercial recovery of, hard mineral resources of the deep seabed in a manner compatible with that provided in this Act and the regulations issued under this Act, which includes adequate measures for the protection of the environment, the conservation of natural resources, and the safety of life and property at sea, and includes effective enforcement provisions; (2) recognizes licenses and permits issued under this title to the extent that such nation, under its laws, (A) prohibits any person from engaging in exploration or commercial recovery which conflicts with that authorized under any such license or permit and (B) complies with the date for issuance of licenses and the effective date for permits provided in section 102(c)(1)(D) of this Act; (3) recognizes, under its procedures, priorities of right, consistent with those provided in this Act and the regulations issued under this Act, for applications for licenses for exploration or permits for commercial recovery, which applications are made either under its procedures or under this Act; and (4) provides an interim legal framework for exploration and commercial recovery which does not unreasonably interfere with the interests of other states in their exercise of the freedoms of the high seas, as recognized under general principles of international law. (b) EFFECT OF DESIGNATION.—No license or permit shall be issued under this title permitting any exploration or commercial recovery which will conflict with any license, permit, or equivalent authorization issued by any foreign nation which is designated as a reciprocating state under subsection (a). (c) NOTIFICATION.—Upon receipt of any application for a license or permit under this title, the Administrator shall immediately notify all reciprocating states of such application. The notification shall include those portions of the exploration plan or recovery plan
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