Final answer:
Texas and the Gulf coast of Florida own mineral rights up to approximately 10.36 statutory miles (9 nautical miles) from the shore, whereas the Atlantic coast of Florida has rights extending only about 3 geographical miles (3.45 statute miles) from the shore.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the rights states have regarding mineral ownership offshore. In the United States, federal law typically governs the ownership of mineral rights off the coast. However, there are some exceptions where individual states have rights extending into the federal waters. For Texas and the Gulf coast of Florida, the Submerged Lands Act grants these states rights to the natural resources in the submerged lands 10.36 statutory miles (about 9 nautical miles) into the Gulf of Mexico. As for the Atlantic coast of Florida, the state's rights extend only 3 geographical miles (about 3.45 statute miles) from the shore.