Sec. 20306. Notice for mineral exploration activities with limited surface disturbance
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/bill/118/hr/2811/eh/section-20306A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Not later than 15 days before commencing an exploration activity with a surface disturbance of not more than 5 acres of public lands, the operator of such exploration activity shall submit to the Secretary concerned a complete notice of such exploration activity. Notice submitted under subsection
(a)shall include such information the Secretary concerned may require, including the information described in section 3809.301 of title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (or any successor regulation). Not later than 15 days after the Secretary concerned receives notice submitted under subsection (a), the Secretary concerned shall— review and determine completeness of the notice; and allow exploration activities to proceed if— the surface disturbance of such exploration activities on such public lands will not exceed 5 acres; the Secretary concerned determines that the notice is complete; and the operator provides financial assurance that the Secretary concerned determines is adequate. In this section: The term exploration activity — means creating surface disturbance greater than casual use that includes sampling, drilling, or developing surface or underground workings to evaluate the type, extent, quantity, or quality of mineral values present; includes constructing drill roads and drill pads, drilling, trenching, excavating test pits, and conducting geotechnical tests and geophysical surveys; and does not include activities where material is extracted for commercial use or sale. The term Secretary concerned means— with respect to lands administered by the Secretary of the Interior, the Secretary of the Interior; and with respect to National Forest System lands, the Secretary of Agriculture.