1.Short title; table of
contents
(a)This Act may be cited as the Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of
2009
.
(b)The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
TITLE I—Locatable mineral deposits
Sec. 101. Limitation on patents.
Sec. 102. Fees.
Sec. 103. Limitations.
TITLE II—Royalties
Sec. 201. Royalty.
Sec. 202. Royalty relief.
Sec. 203. Enforcement.
Sec. 204. Review.
TITLE III—Mineral activities
Sec. 301. Permits.
Sec. 302. Exploration permits.
Sec. 303. Mining permits.
Sec. 304. Financial assurances.
Sec. 305. Transfer, assignment, or sale of right.
Sec. 306. Operation and reclamation.
Sec. 307. Land open to location.
Sec. 308. State law.
Sec. 309. Inspection and monitoring.
TITLE IV—Hardrock Minerals Reclamation Fund
Sec. 401. Establishment of Fund.
Sec. 402. Use and objectives of the Fund.
Sec. 403. Abandoned mine land reclamation fee.
TITLE V—Transition rules, administrative provisions, and
miscellaneous provisions
Sec. 501. Transition rules.
Sec. 502. Enforcement.
Sec. 503. Judicial review.
Sec. 504. Uncommon varieties.
Sec. 505. Review of uranium development on Federal
land.
Sec. 506. Effect.
2.In this Act:
(1)Abandoned
hardrock mine StateThe term abandoned hardrock mine
State means each of the States of Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado,
Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah,
Washington, and Wyoming.
(2)The
term applicant means any person that applies for—
(A)a permit under
this Act; or
(B)a modification
to, or a renewal of, a permit issued under this Act.
(3)The
term beneficiation means—
(A)the crushing and
grinding of locatable mineral ore; and
(B)any processes
that are employed to free the mineral from other constituents, including
physical and chemical separation techniques.
(4)
(A)The term casual use means mineral activities
that ordinarily result in no or negligible disturbance of Federal land or
resources.
(B)The
term casual use includes the collection of geochemical, rock,
soil, or mineral specimens using hand tools, hand panning, or nonmotorized
sluicing.
(C)The
term casual use does not include—
(i)the
use of mechanized earth-moving equipment, suction dredging, or
explosives;
(ii)the
use of motor vehicles in areas closed to off-road vehicles;
(iii)the
construction of roads or drill pads; or
(iv)the
use of toxic or hazardous materials or explosives.
(5)The term claim holder means a person holding
a mining claim, millsite, or tunnel site that is—
(A)located under the
general mining laws; and
(B)maintained in
compliance with the general mining laws and this Act.
(6)The
term control means having the ability to determine the manner in
which an entity conducts mineral activities.
(7)
(A)The term exploration means creating a
surface disturbance (other than casual use) to evaluate the type, extent,
quantity, or quality of minerals present.
(B)The
term exploration includes mineral activities associated with
sampling, drilling, or developing surface or underground workings to evaluate
locatable mineral values.
(C)The
term exploration does not include the extraction of mineral
material for commercial use or sale.
(8)The term Federal
land means any land and any interest in land that is—
(A)owned by the United States; and
(B)open to location of mining claims under the
general mining laws and this Act.
(9)The
term Fund means the Hardrock Minerals Reclamation Fund established
under section 401(a).
(10)The term hardrock mineral has the meaning
given the term locatable mineral except that—
(A)legal and
beneficial title to the mineral need not be held by the United States;
and
(B)paragraph (13)(B)
does not apply to this paragraph.
(11)The term Indian land means land that is—
(A)held in trust for
the benefit of an Indian tribe or member of an Indian tribe; or
(B)held by an Indian
tribe or member of an Indian tribe, subject to a restriction by the United
States against alienation.
(12)The term Indian tribe has the meaning given
the term in section 4 of the Indian
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.
450b).
(13)
(A)The term locatable mineral means any
mineral—
(i)the
legal and beneficial title to which remains in the United States; and
(ii)that is not
subject to disposition under—
(I)the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et
seq.);
(II)the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C.
1001 et seq.);
(III)the Act of July 31, 1947 (commonly known as
the Materials Act of 1947
) (30 U.S.C. 601 et seq.); or
(IV)the Act of August 7, 1947 (commonly known
as the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands
) (30 U.S.C. 351 et
seq.).
(B)The
term locatable mineral does not include any mineral that
is—
(i)subject to a
restriction against alienation imposed by the United States; and
(ii)held in trust by
the United States for, or owned by, any Indian tribe or member of an Indian
tribe, as defined in section 2 of the Indian Mineral Development Act of 1982
(25 U.S.C.
2101).
(14)The term mineral activity means any
activity on a mining claim, millsite, or tunnel site, or Federal land used in
conjunction with the activity, for, relating to, or incidental to, mineral
exploration, mining, beneficiation, processing, or reclamation activities for
any locatable mineral.
(15)National
Conservation System UnitThe term National Conservation
System unit means—
(A)any unit
of—
(i)the
National Park System;
(ii)the National
Wildlife Refuge System; or
(iii)the National
Wild and Scenic Rivers System;
(B)a National
Monument; or
(C)a National
Conservation Area.
(16)The
term operator means—
(A)any person
proposing, or authorized by a permit, to conduct mineral activities under this
Act; and
(B)any agent of a
person described in subparagraph (A).
(17)The
term person means—
(A)an individual,
Indian tribe, partnership, association, society, joint venture, joint stock
company, firm, company, corporation, cooperative, trust, consortium, or other
organization; and
(B)any
instrumentality of a State or local government, including any publicly owned
utility or publicly owned corporation of a State or local government.
(18)
(A)The term processing means processes
downstream of beneficiation used to prepare locatable mineral ore into the
final marketable product.
(B)The
term processing includes smelting and electrolytic
refining.
(19)The
term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
(20)The term Secretary concerned means—
(A)the Secretary of
Agriculture (acting through the Chief of the Forest Service), with respect to
National Forest System land; and
(B)the Secretary of
the Interior (acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Management),
with respect to land managed by the Bureau of Land Management or other Federal
land.
(21)The term temporary cessation means a halt
in mine related production activities for a continuous period of not longer
than 5 years.
<enum>I</enum><header>Locatable mineral
deposits</header>
<section id="H807052406BA3440800857C00F9F220C8"><enum>101.</enum><header>Limitation on
patents</header>
<subsection id="HC178B50DF5B4415BA3BC8B584D916ED0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Determinations
required</header><text>No patent shall be issued by the United States for any
mining claim, millsite, or tunnel site located under the general mining laws
unless the Secretary determines that—</text>
<paragraph id="H8F26093942924F2E8DD49BC2770837F8"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a
patent application was filed with the Secretary with respect to the claim not
later than September 30, 1994; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H71C53ACC39B14E14B6E852207B14BA86"><enum>(2)</enum><text>all requirements
applicable to the patent application under law were fully complied with by the
date described in paragraph (1).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HE6DFDB2047E14F8B83C51B06EBA6E6C3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Right to
patent</header>
<paragraph id="idF6CFC5604DFD4565B912829225EB0FC7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to paragraph (2) and notwithstanding subsection
(c), if the Secretary makes the determinations under paragraphs (1) and (2) of
subsection (a) with respect to a mining claim, millsite, or tunnel site, the
claim holder shall be entitled to the issuance of a patent in the same manner
and degree to which the claim holder would have been entitled to a patent
before the date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id45949BF5EE1D4A4ABA15EF80E780897C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Withdrawal</header><text>The
claim holder shall not be entitled to the issuance of a patent if the
determinations under paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (a) are withdrawn or
invalidated by the Secretary or, on review, by a court of the United
States.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id7766A08083574144BA9FE5851C97941A"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Repeal</header><text>Section
2325 of the Revised Statutes (30 U.S.C. 29) is repealed.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="id5E34B084AECD473488FCB55F36B89357"><enum>102.</enum><header>Fees</header>
<subsection id="id226B7D4DD8B74193B623E82491337E1F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Claim
maintenance fees</header>
<paragraph id="id4A24755419B849A39A6DCC56EC5E4EFB"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than August 31, 2009, and each August 31
thereafter, the holder of each unpatented mining claim, millsite, or tunnel
site shall pay to the Secretary a maintenance fee of $150 for each claim,
millsite, or tunnel site.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id92F58E4E54D849129C2ED139178C9BD6"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>The
maintenance fees required under paragraph (1) shall be in lieu of—</text>
<subparagraph id="id4F8EA3BA2E3C4372A08724DCF8402CC1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the assessment
work requirements under the general mining laws; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id2D4C47CC127748C0B514C4A2DDD91053"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the related
filing requirements under subsections (a) and (c) of section 314 of the Federal
Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1744).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDad39c25f166b4253909c6b9a52b3d2e1"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Timing of
initial payment</header><text>Notwithstanding paragraph (1), the maintenance
fee payable for the initial assessment year in which the location is made shall
be paid at the time the location notice is recorded with the Bureau of Land
Management.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H4A1CB051CA7F4217938FEFA8322F241D"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Claim
relocation</header>
<subparagraph id="H0333C0728D054E0EB94BADFF1EBCAD5B"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Definition of
related party</header><text>In this paragraph and paragraph (5), the term
<term>related party</term> means—</text>
<clause id="H9AB872232FF04C0E9C1BFE3028AC3100"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the
spouse and qualifying child (as defined in
<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/26/152">section
152</external-xref> of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986) of the claim holder;
and</text>
</clause><clause id="HB473358280974E039643A77FDBD5157"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>a
person affiliated with the claim holder, including—</text>
<subclause id="HF2BD27A9F57D4DCAA765DB648F475500"><enum>(I)</enum><text>a
person controlled by, controlling, or under common control with, the claim
holder; or</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HA2950A563A1244D894CA44FFB47022C2"><enum>(II)</enum><text>a subsidiary,
parent company, partner, director, or officer of the claim holder.</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDa8e2e93d0fdc4b3bbfcb9a6226590ed0"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Limits on
relocation</header>
<clause id="id8DB537E3B5CE4A4FB95E5C68E907503C"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>No claim, millsite, or tunnel site, or portion of a claim
or site, may be relocated by a person or related party if the person or related
party held the claim or site and subsequently relinquished the claim or site or
allowed the claim or site to become null and void.</text>
</clause><clause id="id61DED37E4944446EA9D4C2E250566C99"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Duration</header><text>The
prohibition on relocation shall extend for a period of 10 years beginning on
the date the claim or site was relinquished or became null and void.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="idD39344D72B4B493B8E787D1560176CC6"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Waiver</header><text>The
maintenance fee required under paragraph (1) shall be waived for a claim holder
who certifies in writing to the Secretary that on the date the maintenance fee
was due, the claim holder and all related parties—</text>
<subparagraph id="H78727A8FA94A4CC882D970E7E2CD677B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>held not more than
10 mining claims, millsites, tunnel sites, or any combination of claims and
sites on Federal land; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H9B13DEFCA7C047E1B3E8F1AAEDB8787"><enum>(B)</enum><text>can demonstrate
that the claim holder and all related parties have performed assessment work
required under section 2324 of the Revised Statutes (30 U.S.C. 28) to maintain
the mining claims and sites held by the claim holder and all related parties
for the assessment year ending on noon of September 1 of the calendar year in
which payment of the maintenance fee was due.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H4A8C0AC66D1546E68D394E4D5334C09F"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Adjustment</header>
<subparagraph id="HB10CBFDA92764F339640021013C340E"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to subparagraph (B), beginning on the date that
is 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act and every 5 years
thereafter, the Secretary shall adjust the amount of maintenance fees required
under paragraph (1) to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index for all
urban consumers published by the Department of Labor.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id22550CB1F69A4BDA9896E969CAA74E94"><enum>(B)</enum><header>More frequent
adjustments</header><text>Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Secretary may
adjust the amount of the maintenance fees more frequently to reflect changes in
the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers published by the Department of
Labor if the Secretary determines an adjustment to be reasonable.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="HAFCA705AD2794DBF8CCA27611494FA52"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Notice</header><text>Not
later than July 1 of any year in which an adjustment is made under this
paragraph, the Secretary shall provide claim holders notice of the
adjustment.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H1828BEEFF1CE4F30BEFB00FC2717E727"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Application</header><text>An
adjustment under this paragraph shall apply beginning in the first calendar
year after the calendar year in which the adjustment is made.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H183DF79121954912B92D8C005C4345C7"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Applicable
law</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The co-ownership
provisions of section 2324 of the Revised Statutes (30 U.S.C. 28) shall remain
in effect, except that the annual maintenance fee, as applicable, shall replace
applicable assessment requirements and expenditures.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC37044384B1744B89BCCA53CE464512"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Use and occupancy
of claims</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Timely performance
of required assessment work or payment of the maintenance fee under this
subsection satisfies any obligation the claim holder has under the pedis
possessio doctrine for any claim properly located in accordance with the
general mining laws and applicable State law.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H5D6968602CC046798BDEA971C6483DF6"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Location
fees</header>
<paragraph id="H495C0A4DCA7C4FA9B198BBEB357227AA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to paragraph (2) and notwithstanding any other
provision of law, for each unpatented mining claim, millsite, or tunnel site
located after the date of enactment of this Act, the locator shall, at the time
the location notice is recorded with the Bureau of Land Management, pay to the
Secretary a location fee of $50 for each claim for each location notice
recorded with the Bureau of Land Management.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id2232100099034B5193E3D98D1C091C88"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Adjustment</header>
<subparagraph id="idEFF211B52A284EB8835853432835FD44"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to subparagraph (B), beginning on the date that
is 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act and every 5 years
thereafter, the Secretary shall adjust the amount of location fees required
under paragraph (1) to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index for all
urban consumers published by the Department of Labor.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9BFE1C332F0F47AC8CCCCE0AB359F2C2"><enum>(B)</enum><header>More frequent
adjustments</header><text>Notwithstanding subparagraph (A), the Secretary may
adjust the amount of the location fees more frequently to reflect changes in
the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers published by the Department of
Labor if the Secretary determines an adjustment to be reasonable.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id3575CFE239D2461185CE2267726A4A61"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Notice</header><text>Not
later than July 1 of any year in which an adjustment is made under this
paragraph, the Secretary shall provide claim holders notice of the
adjustment.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id425DF4B225DE4D0CBDD738B9CDB8F613"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Application</header><text>An
adjustment under this paragraph shall apply beginning in the first calendar
year after the calendar year in which the adjustment is made.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id00B0153BAAD544769DDA7C6C66ABA168"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Effect on
maintenance fee</header><text>The location fee required under paragraph (1)
shall be in addition to the maintenance fee required under subsection
(a).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id64996DB427BC41A2BD7F75C4F04CC1FD"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Disposition of
funds</header>
<paragraph id="id8301D0E30699456986072C018E35E431"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Any amounts received under this section shall be used to
pay the costs of administering program operations under sections 2318 through
2352 of the Revised Statutes (commonly known as the <quote>Mining Law of
1872</quote>) (30 U.S.C. 21 et seq.) and this Act, without further
appropriation.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id3692B10A99A8405EA2A39A20AD0F8EC8"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Excess
amounts</header><text>Any amounts in excess of the costs described in paragraph
(1) for any fiscal year shall be deposited in the Fund.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="HC650D03E448C48AEAF5DAD0945C7E505"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Effect of
section</header><text>Nothing in this section changes or modifies—</text>
<paragraph id="idFB618FC3D68541BE8BED78FF374F24A7"><enum>(1)</enum><text>section 314(b) of
the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/43/1744">43 U.S.C. 1744(b)</external-xref>);
or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id1D312ABF74BD4C9D9E8607CC0ACED901"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the provisions of
subsection (c) of section 314 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of
1976 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/43/1744">43 U.S.C.
1744</external-xref>) relating to filings required by subsection (b) of that
section.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H25F43421C82D4929A6328EAF6B6FCB1E"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Amendment to
Revised Statutes</header><text>Section 2324 of the Revised Statutes
(<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/28">30 U.S.C.
28</external-xref>) is amended by inserting <quote>or section 102(a)(5) of the
<short-title>Hardrock Mining and Reclamation Act of
2009</short-title></quote> after <quote>Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of
1993</quote>.</text>
</subsection></section><section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6E00D47CC6CC45539E80EFB18BB7FCEE" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>103.</enum><header>Limitations</header>
<subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4891896B1BE14AADB542FC2672ED61FE"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Failure To
comply</header>
<paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id245E0D6F228F4889B5AE5BBCFDF26E7E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The failure of the
claim holder to perform assessment work or to pay a maintenance fee if required
under section 102(a), to pay a location fee under section 102(b), or to file a
timely notice of location shall—</text>
<subparagraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9E0DCEB39FC649EDAC4D1D4AF7ACDF5A"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">conclusively constitute a forfeiture of the
mining claim, millsite, or tunnel site; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idEB4E2578DAAF4DB589B128D8A0E51389"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">make the claim or site null and void by
operation of law.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA1572C8D7DEC4B56A40DCE58528819AD"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Effect</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Forfeiture under paragraph (1) shall not
relieve any person of any obligation under this Act and applicable regulations,
including reclamation, and other applicable law.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id85E54B6B3844432AB3F3AF3D4D093933"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Relinquishment</header>
<paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idDAAF7937AA9F4A70A59655B7C4F4F068"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>A claim holder deciding not to pursue mineral activities
on a mining claim, millsite, or tunnel site, may relinquish the claim or site
by notifying the Secretary of the intent to relinquish the claim or
site.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB938C9009DCF425696775F490340F716"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Effect</header><text>A
claim holder relinquishing a claim, millsite, or tunnel site under paragraph
(1) shall be responsible for any obligation under this Act and applicable
regulations, including reclamation, and other applicable law.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB6073728736D4E75BFA78F96F34DB18B"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Use of mining
claim</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE19A23B6D3194587AD8056D122B91B16"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The continued use, occupancy, and retention of any mining
claim, millsite, or tunnel site subject to this Act shall be exclusively for
mineral activities as authorized under this Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD1500D2B82A94B16BED9A5C7879AD8C5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Failure to use
for mineral activities</header><text>If the claim holder cannot demonstrate to
the Secretary that the mining claim, millsite, or tunnel site has been used
exclusively for mineral activities, the Secretary shall declare the claim,
millsite, or tunnel site null and void.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><enum>II</enum><header>Royalties</header>
<section id="idCE835B487F4D45508EA721544C2F29D9"><enum>201.</enum><header>Royalty</header>
<subsection id="IDd07dd893eefc4a959d6520acec004df0"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to subsection (c) and section 202, production of
all locatable minerals from any mining claim located under the general mining
laws and maintained in compliance with this Act shall be subject to a royalty
established by the Secretary by regulation of not less than 2 percent, and not
more than 5 percent, of the value of the production, not including reasonable
transportation, beneficiation, and processing costs.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="idD348B31E68C6485AAAA7657198202FF4"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Royalty
rate</header><text>The regulation shall establish a reasonable royalty rate for
each locatable mineral subject to a royalty under this section that may vary
based on the locatable mineral concerned.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDaa201b9840364827a92c654f937e64e6"><enum>(c)</enum><header>No royalty for
Federal land subject to existing permit</header><text>No royalty under
subsection (a) shall be required on production from Federal land that—</text>
<paragraph id="IDced60d14ef374f10be4e6d85d6cfef62"><enum>(1)</enum><text>is subject to an
approved plan of operations or an operations permit on the date of the
enactment of this Act; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID932d2a083d624a7bbd96ce2a592aa208"><enum>(2)</enum><text>produces valuable
locatable minerals in commercial quantities on the date of enactment of this
Act.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID596d3a9953974aa3bd0646fed8c9fac7"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Federal land
not subject to existing operations permit</header><text>Production from any
Federal land not specifically approved for mineral extraction under a plan of
operations or an operations permit in existence on the date of enactment of
this Act shall be subject to the royalty that applies to production from
Federal land under subsection (a).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDa37b4655046d4cc48fc458501ec06263"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Deposit</header><text>Amounts
received by the United States as royalties under this section shall be
deposited in the Fund.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="id311A3F2AD4C64794A18B0A9E76C99A60"><enum>202.</enum><header>Royalty
relief</header>
<subsection id="id46A65DB27D964A3AB2B30E3BFDC6E285"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subject to subsection
(b), in order to promote the greatest ultimate recovery pursuant to a mining
permit or a plan of operations under which production in commercial quantities
has occurred and in the interest of conservation of natural resources, the
Secretary may reduce any royalty otherwise required for all or part of a mining
operation, on a showing by clear and convincing evidence by the person
conducting mineral activities under the operations or mining permit or plan of
operations that, without the reduction in royalty, production would not
occur.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id89C88CC2FEAA4386AA4E4E5C3005F8E3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Effective
date</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any reduction in a
royalty provided for by this section shall not be effective until 60 days after
the date on which the Secretary—</text>
<paragraph id="idA50F3B22EA42452999408FDB5E3DAEF0"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">publishes public notice of the royalty
reduction; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idC80F6FF184D149D69C003162F0D04C8F"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">submits to the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the
House of Representatives notice and a statement of the reasons for granting the
royalty reduction.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" id="ID8ff09ce4a2b648aa894274582e321f25"><enum>203.</enum><header>Enforcement</header>
<subsection commented="no" id="ID06d43d99c32e4de7b3a61c8dad0e04b1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Duties of the
Secretary</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="ID31745616a5f14b1daf8ca4580e1a3b55"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary shall establish a comprehensive inspection,
collection, fiscal, and production accounting and auditing system—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="idAAD765F5377040DF8741F3CC0A92A72E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to accurately
determine royalties, interest, fines, penalties, fees, deposits, and other
payments owed under this title and section 403; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="idF2600F95341240A484936F8B5CA85C0D"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to collect and
account for such payments in a timely manner.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="IDc38a47605b86424e8164170596915c75"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Inspections</header><text>The
Secretary shall establish procedures to ensure that authorized and properly
identified representatives of the Secretary will inspect at least once annually
each mining claim that—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="idDF539C6A2DD14683A776051DA4662760"><enum>(A)</enum><text>is producing or
expected to produce a significant quantity of locatable minerals in any year;
or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="idB1834F56B6C64ADCA8E5943B2B7BADDC"><enum>(B)</enum><text>has a history of
noncompliance with this Act.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="ID4bd0cf7ade174641b19b36d6f11b61bd"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Duties of claim
holders, operators, and transporters</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="idE1EB30C9DEBA4EFFBA48612B83CE6F67"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Payment of
royalties</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="ID10bd8afd13434c94afc67b9ac85714d2"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>A person who is required to make any royalty or other
payment under this title or section 403 shall make payment to the United States
at such times and in such manner as the Secretary may by rule prescribe.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID01bd88ced8ea4b85b900db70e1930c65"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Liability for
payments</header>
<clause id="idA3C8F7D61ADB45F997D92C1001FF83CA"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Designees</header><text>Any
person who pays, offsets, or credits funds, makes adjustments, requests and
receives refunds, or submits reports with respect to payments another person is
required to make shall be considered the designee of the other person under
this title or section 403.</text>
</clause><clause id="idDC71578E49A646B19DF2DFC408C39942"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Liability</header><text>A
designee shall be liable for any payment obligation under this title or section
403 of any person on whose behalf the designee undertakes the activities
described in clause (i).</text>
</clause><clause id="id53B483DF268A4A69A9DB81FED08843EA"><enum>(iii)</enum><header>Pro rata
share</header><text>The person owning an interest in a claim, millsite, or
tunnel site, or production from the claim or site, shall be liable for the pro
rata share of the person of payment obligations under this title or section
403.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="IDcc79235de9794a72b53fa9e098d67668"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Site
security</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="idA5BB25C70D7A4485ABCF2CB87B00FE1F"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>A person conducting mineral activities shall develop and
comply with the site security provisions in the mining permit designed to
protect from theft the locatable minerals that are produced or stored on a
mining claim.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id56C596D60265445588134737A4FFBDCC"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Minimum
standards</header><text>The provisions shall conform with such minimum
standards as the Secretary may prescribe by rule, taking into account the
variety of circumstances on mining claims.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="IDbd33d426c8f7408a8d291323e1fc662c"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Notification of
commencement or resumption of production</header><text>Not later than the fifth
business day after production begins in any place on a mining claim or
production resumes after more than 90 days after production ceased or was
suspended, the person conducting mineral activities shall notify the Secretary,
in the manner prescribed by the Secretary, of the date on which the production
has begun or resumed.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="ID2608ed26e5324a46ab9f7bbf80c5d977"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Recordkeeping
and reporting requirements</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="id18E4DD7549BD47BFB05AFA2AC3A0F803"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>A claim holder, operator, or other person directly or
indirectly involved in developing, producing, processing, transporting,
purchasing, or selling locatable or hardrock minerals, subject to this Act,
through the point of first sale, the point of royalty or fee computation, or
the point of smelting or other processing, whichever is later, shall establish
and maintain any records, make any reports, and provide any information that
the Secretary may reasonably require for the purposes of implementing this
title or section 403 or determining compliance with rules or orders under this
title or section 403.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id3983060FF2E841819289FD7665198AD0"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Access</header><text>On
the request of any officer or employee duly designated by the Secretary
conducting an audit or investigation pursuant to this section, the appropriate
records, reports, or information that may be required by this section shall be
made available for inspection and duplication by the officer or
employee.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="IDe1b497c7356f4fe381abaa1dcdb607f3"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Duration of
recordkeeping requirement</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="idC9788999529644CBBA212EB1FD9529BC"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Records required by the Secretary under this section
shall be maintained for 7 years after the records are generated or amended
unless the Secretary notifies the claim holder, operator, other person referred
to in paragraph (1), or record holder that the Secretary has initiated an audit
or investigation involving the records and that the records must be maintained
for a longer period.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="idC3606E03F977422591C7D4171E72FAD4"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Ongoing audit
or investigation</header><text>In any case in which an audit or investigation
is underway, records shall be maintained until the Secretary releases the claim
holder, operator, other person referred to in paragraph (1), or record holder
subject to the recordkeeping and requirements of this Act of the obligation to
maintain the records.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="ID2e90ad3cffd14ed689d27d0b976ca53f"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Audits</header><text>The
Secretary may conduct such audits of all claim holders, operators, producers,
transporters, purchasers, processors, or other persons directly or indirectly
involved in the production or sales of locatable or hardrock minerals covered
by this Act, as the Secretary considers necessary for the purposes of ensuring
compliance with the requirements of this title or section 403.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" id="IDabaa73c3bf6b4376b9828ec8c2e9eb83"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Cooperative
agreements</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="idBD51BEDAACB24388A467CBC968070E4D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary may enter into cooperative agreements with
the Secretary of Agriculture—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="id8CE69CD298CE46D483D3A2B2FBB318FF"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to share
information concerning the royalty management of locatable minerals;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id29D0AC7ABE974B7EB1851ED7D297F413"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to carry out
inspection, auditing, investigation, or enforcement (not including the
collection of royalties, civil or criminal penalties, or other payments)
activities under this section in cooperation with the Secretary; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id4C71D83CDB4D478B9498D8700B772550"><enum>(C)</enum><text>to carry out any
other activity described in this section.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="IDd317a044d663492e8d15a291a13386fb"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Access</header><text>Subject
to paragraph (3) and pursuant to a cooperative agreement, the Secretary of
Agriculture shall, on request, have access to all royalty or fee accounting
information in the possession of the Secretary relating to the production,
removal, or sale of locatable minerals from claims on Federal land.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="ID5d8ffbd0196c46e1b40a53f2739d445f"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Confidential
information</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="idB977C89AD85B4A48B848862A3E04E2EB"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Trade secrets, proprietary information, and other
confidential information protected from disclosure under section 552 of title
5, United States Code (commonly known as the <quote>Freedom of Information
Act</quote>), shall be made available by the Secretary to other Federal
agencies as necessary to ensure compliance with this Act and other Federal
laws.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="idF6F9B40B344B4985B5204C505494C2E1"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Protection by
other Federal officials</header><text>The Secretary, the Secretary of
Agriculture, and other Federal officials shall ensure that information
described in subparagraph (A) is provided protection in accordance with section
552 of title 5, United States Code.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="ID35c3f66ddb6e4661a71af5511dc2b938"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Interest</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="IDfda530c3ddd1482494929372119d0d55"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Definition of
underpayment</header><text>In this subsection, the term
<term>underpayment</term> means the difference between the royalty on the value
of the production or the fee under section 403 that should have been received
by the Secretary and the royalty on the value of the production or the fee
under section 403 that was received by the Secretary, if the royalty or fee
that should have been received is greater than the royalty or fee that was
received.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="idE3BC83DADA6D43F4B142B3199ACBC965"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Nonpayment and
underpayment</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="id2BCDD0A35D1D46A098AF0FA5300983D2"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Nonpayment</header><text>In
the case of mining claims or operations with respect to which royalty payments
or the fee under section 403 are not received by the Secretary by the date that
the payments are due, the Secretary shall charge interest on the nonpayment at
the rate specified under subparagraph (C).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID868c08c7a3be4dd88c2cb877d5df4ce6"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Underpayment</header><text>In
the case of an underpayment, interest shall be computed and charged only on the
amount of the deficiency and not on the total amount, at the rate specified
under subparagraph (C).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDeae907d987414eeaa96c582bda840131"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Interest
rate</header><text>In the case of nonpayment or underpayment, interest shall be
charged at the rate applicable under section 6621(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="ID749598ebcb3843dda11a5dce873d4faf"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Expanded
royalty obligations</header><text>Each person liable for royalty payments under
this section shall be jointly and severally liable for royalty on all locatable
minerals lost or wasted from a mining claim located under the general mining
laws and maintained in compliance with this Act if the loss or waste is due to
negligence on the part of any such person or due to the failure to comply with
any rule, regulation, or order issued under this section.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" id="ID3cdf44c15d894d9ebdfbc1d3b1360361"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Hearings and
investigations</header><text>In carrying out this title and section 403, the
Secretary may—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" id="idA9D39126A3CE4B54B461F2F3F9F56A22"><enum>(1)</enum><text>conduct any
investigation or other inquiry necessary and appropriate;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id5AD25A6D22864F8E9CA99DBC277FC6D2"><enum>(2)</enum><text>conduct, after
notice, any necessary and appropriate hearing or audit under rules prescribed
by the Secretary; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="idBB7765F4C2B84B49A3B015E3CDF20F43"><enum>(3)</enum><text>administer oaths
and issue subpoenas in conducting such proceedings.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="id021B4A471A6746A6B9C0A7CB4A043D28"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Civil
penalties</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID8D30DD13B0954EE6B80E9FCFC0C30534"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Failure to
comply with applicable law, rules or regulations, or to permit
inspection</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="IDb4c25fe8e07843158d23a33a850a0db8"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a person shall be
liable for a penalty of up to $500 per violation for each day the violation
continues, dating from the date of the notice or report, if the person—</text>
<clause commented="no" id="ID57B3C1ED6A024FA09A640A923EFF1C9F"><enum>(i)</enum><text>after due notice
of violation or after the violation has been reported under subparagraph
(B)(i), fails or refuses to comply with any requirement of this title or
section 403 or any rule or regulation under this title or section 403;
or</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" id="ID50D24BE0A2F347D8B69616B2D4CB04BE"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>fails or refuses
to permit inspection authorized under this title.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="idEF19DA31764D4823B6EECF08D239F62E"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Exceptions</header><text>A
penalty under this paragraph may not be applied to any person who is otherwise
liable for a violation of subparagraph (A) if—</text>
<clause commented="no" id="ID2A9BB2113A4E4EBB8D1A2B491B24CB74"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the violation was
discovered and reported to the Secretary or the authorized representative of
the Secretary by the liable person and corrected within 20 days after the
report (or such longer period to which the Secretary may agree); or</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" id="ID98E5104122F147E29FD67F26A50DAE85"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>after the due
notice of violation required under subparagraph (A)(i) has been given to the
person by the Secretary or the authorized representative of the Secretary, the
person has corrected the violation within 20 days of the notification (or such
longer period to which the Secretary may agree).</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID63E0CA574CC64A1F9C9E6F5E4F2C1E10"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Failure to take
corrective action</header><text>If corrective action is not taken within 40
days (or a longer period to which the Secretary may agree), after due notice or
submission of a report referred to in paragraph (1)(A)(i), the person shall be
liable for a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 per violation for each day
the violation continues, dating from the date of the notice or report.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID535C3C8270ED479EAFC88B1ABF787D4B"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Failure to make
payment or to permit lawful entry, inspection, or audit</header><text>A person
shall be liable for a penalty of up to $10,000 per violation for each day the
violation continues if the person—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="IDB55C85741CB441A6AC1A1C2D560F236F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>knowingly or
willfully fails to make any payment of any royalty under this title or fee
under section 403 by the date as specified by law (including regulation or
order);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="ID617D1BF7372C4059B3D3C6958E13B6BA"><enum>(B)</enum><text>fails or refuses
to permit lawful entry, inspection, or audit; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID723c51512db94f07b4458dc643f64cc7"><enum>(C)</enum><text>knowingly or
willfully fails to comply with subsection (b)(2)(C).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID7BA2FF034E314E7584469C21163757E7"><enum>(4)</enum><header>False
information; unauthorized removal of locatable mineral</header><text>A person
shall be liable for a penalty of up to $25,000 per violation for each day the
violation continues in any case in which the person, in violation of this title
or section 403—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="IDCA2A2E7BD08C4534B7285BC0369C12ED"><enum>(A)</enum><text>knowingly or
willfully prepares, maintains, or submits false, inaccurate, or misleading
reports, notices, affidavits, records, data, or other written
information;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="ID5FA4750D6B0047A3822C1CDE654B3CA0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>knowingly or
willfully takes or removes, transports, uses or diverts any locatable mineral
from any land covered by a mining claim without having valid legal authority to
do so; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="IDCF0BA49943714E26BD8B04772BD990C2"><enum>(C)</enum><text>purchases,
accepts, sells, transports, or conveys to another, any locatable mineral
knowing or having reason to know that the locatable mineral was stolen or
unlawfully removed or diverted.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDFA20043812A64470BAFEB758DE6312A3"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Hearing</header><text>No
penalty under this subsection shall be assessed until the person charged with a
violation has been given the opportunity for a hearing on the record.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID7E5BC1B2AC1F476F9A0405A964CE8F82"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Deduction of
penalty from sums owed by United States</header><text>The amount of any penalty
under this subsection, as finally determined, may be deducted from any sums
owed by the United States to the person charged.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID32C995EC563D4D3CADA3D2A143B34732"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Compromise or
reduction of penalties</header><text>On a case-by-case basis, the Secretary may
compromise or reduce civil penalties under this subsection.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDD098B07654974E65ABF6548655C3C480"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Notice</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id97D568BA63184C0D81E22550B2ED1B1C"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Notice under this subsection shall be by personal service
by an authorized representative of the Secretary or by registered mail.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idFB3512ABDCAC4E5AA3CCC14A1C73429E"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Designee for
receipt of notice</header><text>Any person may, in the manner prescribed by the
Secretary, designate a representative to receive any notice under this
subsection.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDBAD757BF3EE04014B5650B2F17B506C7"><enum>(9)</enum><header>Reasons on
record for amount of penalty</header><text>In determining the amount of the
penalty under this subsection, whether the penalty should be remitted or
reduced, and by what amount, the Secretary shall state on the record the
reasons for the determinations of the Secretary.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID8769DF5351E84520A0BBB7A14BE628D6"><enum>(10)</enum><header>Review</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4E14ECAA490A41CB95BEB9E86F02B1B1"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Any person who has requested a hearing in accordance with
paragraph (5) within the time the Secretary has prescribed for such a hearing
and who is aggrieved by a final order of the Secretary under this subsection
may seek review of the order in the United States district court for the
judicial district in which the violation allegedly took place.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7F42ACFD9513453FBBAD75306ADB9099"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Basis for
review</header><text>Review by the district court shall be only on the
administrative record and not de novo.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1CC33F6DD41046F9AEB312407D232328"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Deadline</header><text>An
action under this paragraph shall be barred unless the action is filed not
later than the date that is 90 days after the date of issuance of the final
order of the Secretary.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID20966D57B5594059B095E3862E16739B"><enum>(11)</enum><header>Failure to pay
penalty</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idBA575BBB46A847DDBBE4AB90FE4B092A"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), if any person fails
to pay an assessment of a civil penalty under this Act, the court shall have
jurisdiction to award the amount assessed plus interest from the date of the
expiration of the 90-day period referred to in paragraph (10)(C).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id448F7C1BACBD4663A3FC212D13830FC2"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Application</header><text>Subparagraph
(A) applies—</text>
<clause commented="no" id="IDAE18967144C242E6954360BF877D8966"><enum>(i)</enum><text>after the order
making the assessment has become a final order and if the person does not file
a petition for judicial review of the order in accordance with paragraph (10);
or</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" id="ID97BFD19EA5F340399A946B9808AA0E1E"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>after a court in
an action brought under paragraph (10) has entered a final judgment in favor of
the Secretary.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id1C1C97E3CAC94F59969872C84A5D9F56"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Order to
pay</header><text>Judgment by the court shall include an order to pay.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="IDfaecd1a0f63b44acb90ec5b6e47846ef"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Criminal
penalties</header><text>Any person who commits an act for which a civil penalty
is provided under subsection (i)(4) shall, on conviction, be punished by a fine
of not more than $50,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 2 years, or
both.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" id="IDb87854c80ac84665bd19d058157816df"><enum>(k)</enum><header>Effective
date</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="id4FD1C097979C4C4F82CD8FEE7A360BC6"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Except as provided in section 201(b) with respect to the
payment of royalties, the royalty required under section 201 or fee required
under section 403 shall take effect with respect to the production of minerals
on or after the date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB793E4A4103B49D89D429F91F9E625C1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Initial
production</header><text>Any royalty payments or fee payments under section 403
attributable to production during the 1-year period beginning on the date of
enactment of this Act shall be payable at the expiration of the 1-year period,
together with interest at the rate required under subsection (f)(2)(C).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID2beacb91810644218a0ca54961d38d39"><enum>(l)</enum><header>Injunction and
specific enforcement authority</header>
<paragraph id="IDadb46fe5f05a4ff3a7b85e2cf2f11045"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Civil action by
attorney general</header><text>In addition to any other remedy under law, the
Attorney General or the designee of the Attorney General may bring a civil
action in a district court of the United States, which shall have jurisdiction
over such actions—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID07ef371fa0784d7295f24e8de5432ca4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to restrain any
violation of this title or section 403; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID26b0b360f8374e7ba99ec56339b8adf5"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to compel the
taking of any action required by or under this title or section 403.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID72f72822e1104e16ae6e17abb34a7923"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Venue</header><text>A
civil action described in paragraph (1) may be brought only in the United
States district court for the judicial district in which the act, omission, or
transaction constituting a violation under this title or section 403 occurred,
or in which the defendant is found or transacts business.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID29b05e1b4b04450b9662b4b543301bbe"><enum>204.</enum><header>Review</header>
<subsection id="id973F81EF3AA345D69F5672FB0F264001"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 5
years after the date of enactment of this Act and every 5 years thereafter, the
Secretary shall complete a review and submit to the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the
House of Representatives a report addressing collections and impacts of the
royalty and fees provided for by this Act.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id539D47EA5C8F42EB86FA74E05D690891"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Topics</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The report shall address—</text>
<paragraph id="ID8c70afe21c3842689778f52ec8c38ed5"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the total
revenues received (by category) on an annual basis as—</text>
<subparagraph id="id9ADC4C0EC2AB460999835C8166BFC10C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>claim maintenance
fees;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id371CF39A1E2342DE95003C6EA0AEE935"><enum>(B)</enum><text>location
fees;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id521BFB9EA2A94B2DB0978349FB48FD89"><enum>(C)</enum><text>land use
fees;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id25647E8353C8482CA998691B447C1C98"><enum>(D)</enum><text>royalties and
related payments; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idF287BCC6F52B4C358F39BAD49E4419EB"><enum>(E)</enum><text>abandoned mine
land fees;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDae2c1ab08ad24659ad2758010714d0fd"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the disposition
of the fees and royalties, including—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDe0d036e9140a4cbdbc8efa40a1f2f102"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the amount used
for mining law program administration; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID8fa34e49ff7b46a0a5899def52434450"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the amount used
for abandoned mine land reclamation, including allocation by State and Indian
tribe;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id6EEDFCB98D8847E7BF6868CB2D3D686B"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the effectiveness
of the program under this Act in addressing abandoned mine land problems on
Federal and non-Federal land;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID4b6a41033a3c41caa62c7f490d5deffe"><enum>(4)</enum><text>any impact on
domestic locatable mineral exploration and production as a result of the fees
and royalties; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDf0022739e2e34a31856c5071a714a009"><enum>(5)</enum><text>any
recommendations with respect to changes in Federal law (including regulations)
relating to the amount or method of collection (including auditing, compliance,
and enforcement) of the fees and royalties.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><enum>III</enum><header>Mineral
activities</header>
<section id="H0940C82503EA434485496200C2DF62DA"><enum>301.</enum><header>Permits</header>
<subsection id="H88D715A532A74C6F86A7C33BCDF758F"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Except as provided in section 501(a)(2), no person may
engage in mineral activities on Federal land that may cause a disturbance of
surface resources, including land, air, water, and fish and wildlife, unless a
permit authorizing the activities was issued to the person under this
title.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H7F4FC37746E44F5D8704C982ED579DA3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Exceptions</header><text>Notwithstanding
subsection (a), a permit under this title shall not be required for mineral
activities that are a casual use of the Federal land.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDaab152e6bccb40138398dc7eafa7f800"><enum>(c)</enum><header>No
modification</header><text>Nothing in this section enlarges, diminishes,
establishes, repeals, or otherwise modifies any requirement of law that a
mining claim, millsite, or tunnel site be valid in order for mineral activities
to be undertaken.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID8f8ef6cc26124a40884aef2a24809081"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Coordination
with NEPA process</header><text>To the maximum extent practicable, the
Secretary concerned shall conduct the permit processes under this Act in
coordination with the timing and other requirements of section 102 of the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332).</text>
</subsection></section><section id="H8CA439A615284EC88CD5C9AB00C63E76"><enum>302.</enum><header>Exploration
permits</header>
<subsection id="IDf9e39f4edecc45759fb106e0d42ca564"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Except as provided in section 501(a)(2), an exploration
permit shall be required prior to conducting any exploration activities on
Federal land that involve more than the casual use of the Federal land.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id818BE9C8AE5A4CBC84E7DD390A89F22A"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Limitations</header><text>An
exploration permit under subsection (a) shall not authorize the person
to—</text>
<paragraph id="id3710E37F994546F5B8D961DD1E5DD679"><enum>(1)</enum><text>remove any
mineral for sale; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idF3B2F8C31B5A4315985BAB4FCA62B2C5"><enum>(2)</enum><text>conduct any
activity other than an activity required for—</text>
<subparagraph id="idDA4C6BED57974200804A0C88C2FCF9E7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>exploration for
locatable minerals; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id547E0064CFC04A25B185A608460EE239"><enum>(B)</enum><text>reclamation.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idD04FE9F2FFC7428ABEA8303CD71079A6"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>To
be eligible for an exploration permit, a person shall submit to the Secretary
concerned, in a manner prescribed by the Secretary concerned, an application
for an exploration permit that contains—</text>
<paragraph id="id3441B245BEA3433380747EF69E3E302B"><enum>(1)</enum><text>an exploration
plan demonstrating that—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="ID02e7d7cb6aaf429cbd5ba73395379ec5"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the applicant
will operate in accordance with this Act and applicable regulations;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="ID4a1c84dbc003421abb44b68d28014947"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the formation of
acid mine drainage will be avoided to the maximum extent practicable;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="IDc98a5260723e43e385fbb94d47dbd57a"><enum>(C)</enum><text>mineral
activities will be conducted in a manner that uses best management
practices;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="ID18c6377a35f946298fae528877f01a28"><enum>(2)</enum><text>a description of
potential impacts to groundwater and surface water, including appropriate
hydrological assessments and analyses, as reasonably required by the
Secretary;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id29F0E9EDCEB84E5BB2AB32A7AEB7ED69"><enum>(3)</enum><text>a reclamation
plan for the proposed exploration activity demonstrating that the applicant
will conduct reclamation activities in accordance with section 306;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idDF2566B3FB6E4FED9CA0C1D37DFE277A"><enum>(4)</enum><text>evidence of
adequate financial assurance in accordance with section 304;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id5656D4DB70CF4F39AC94DE716621F0D1"><enum>(5)</enum><text>the necessary
documentation to demonstrate that the proposed exploration activity will comply
with applicable Federal and State environmental laws (including
regulations);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDb08e98158fea43c0b316587312d61687"><enum>(6)</enum><text>a monitoring and
evaluation plan to ensure compliance with reclamation and other requirements of
this Act; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id818D8777D7F845A8BB364FB0E7F82844"><enum>(7)</enum><text>any other
relevant information determined by the Secretary to be necessary to satisfy the
requirements of this Act and other applicable law.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idDF060457BFF240FC8BB275635E73B7BB"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Permit
issuance</header>
<paragraph id="id718056C68AF54FF9BD51DA3ED014CAB4"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Approval</header>
<subparagraph id="id76C5401DA8CE46DF94F8745230DA2B6E"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary concerned
shall approve an application and issue an exploration permit if the Secretary
concerned determines that the application is in compliance with—</text>
<clause id="idAD12D66F9BD8466F8A35FECE0743CC0D"><enum>(i)</enum><text>this Act;</text>
</clause><clause id="id0EE99B9B52C7442DAA8E2EA130F658FD"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>any regulations
promulgated under this Act; and</text>
</clause><clause id="idB7075E43D8804F0BBC285522A08049B1"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>any other
applicable laws.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id4EF88FB804114D06981567459836361E"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Conditions</header><text>The
Secretary concerned may reasonably condition the approval of such a permit to
satisfy the requirements of this Act and applicable regulations.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id063DD782485A4F019F4032883C93C362"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Denial</header><text>The
Secretary concerned shall deny the issuance of an exploration permit if the
Secretary concerned determines that the permit does not meet the requirements
of—</text>
<subparagraph id="id55B0F536F47F4033A4132795519A6DC4"><enum>(A)</enum><text>this Act;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idB8B9D9B5DA6A482CBF85B7DC906AEA9C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>any regulations
promulgated under this Act; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id6AA58782B7BA4BF2918D0EDB03149E40"><enum>(C)</enum><text>other applicable
laws.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID1d300344f0de492d996b7bcd79a5daf6"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Notice</header><text>Before
approving or denying an exploration permit under this subsection, the Secretary
concerned—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID3314af94cc084e72b98897b84c4990e9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall provide
public notice and an opportunity for written comment; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID9945e500b7314f40bfd047a0cfcb18e3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>may hold a public
hearing.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID2328f20e09c845559c493c3ce8e91bba"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Modifications
to permit</header>
<paragraph id="id030156D58AA4409AB7F9BA86DF2B400E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The permit holder may submit to the Secretary concerned
an application to modify an exploration permit.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idB0654FD0C41B424F81038D17C8EB367A"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Approval</header>
<subparagraph id="idC2FABABD55514A82B2AD466A38C81928"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>In determining whether to approve or disapprove a
proposed modification to an exploration permit, the Secretary concerned shall
make the same determinations as are required in the case of the original
permit.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id1B3BFF3E732348DBBE074EB8C70E0F4E"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Exceptions</header><text>Subparagraph
(A) shall not apply to minor modifications to an exploration permit or
instances in which the nature of the modifications make compliance with the
requirements unnecessary, as determined by the Secretary concerned.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDb50a1534bffd4e1481c938ef9e9e73e0"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Modifications
from Secretary concerned</header>
<subparagraph id="IDea6ce0613b4f4befb2f1ae845496da72"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary concerned may require reasonable
modification to any permit on a determination that the requirements of this Act
or other applicable law cannot be met if the permit is followed as
approved.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID79563befb86f461b86399ab61d4f3b2d"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Requirements
for determination</header><text>A determination under subparagraph (A) shall
be—</text>
<clause id="IDa5ee734a715d460b90ffb0a738e491ec"><enum>(i)</enum><text>based on a
written finding; and</text>
</clause><clause id="IDac9c94cb195d4ba9b85e6593b3081799"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>subject to
notice and hearing requirements established by the Secretary concerned.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idE3E34968C4DE418193074566F61E770B"><enum>303.</enum><header>Mining
permits</header>
<subsection id="id8536EEBAB79D461B92C0F3CF2382B4AA"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Except as provided in section 501(a)(2), a mining permit
shall be required prior to conducting mineral activities on Federal land, other
than casual use or exploration on the Federal land.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id379A41AF536B4DC7B91757B53CACB8B6"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text>To
be eligible for a mining permit, a person shall submit to the Secretary
concerned, in a manner prescribed by the Secretary concerned, an application
for a mining permit that contains—</text>
<paragraph id="IDe2d9979e20364a87b056abdd212ad0a2"><enum>(1)</enum><text>a description of
the condition of the land and water resources of the area before mining
activities are initiated;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID68f1a769871c476c95e6fe06e542d0c0"><enum>(2)</enum><text>an operations
plan demonstrating that—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="id0814A03ED5D44FB38149166F6106B4C9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the applicant
will operate in accordance with this Act and applicable regulations;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="ID9f9d4098c00d42b69947d4ab2fb74f7e"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the formation of
acid mine drainage will be avoided to the maximum extent practicable;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="ID87f9fb5e2d924a9ba00047be0e6a3f8d"><enum>(C)</enum><text>mineral
activities will be conducted in a manner that uses best management
practices;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="IDe74afe3f5d5942b4a518e1d6959bb5f1"><enum>(3)</enum><text>a description of
potential impacts to groundwater and surface water, including appropriate
hydrological assessments and analyses, as reasonably required by the
Secretary;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDc3bf5bf308cb4cfb8b17d5e23cd1f589"><enum>(4)</enum><text>a reclamation
plan for the proposed mineral activities demonstrating that the applicant will
conduct reclamation activities in accordance with section 306;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDccea468035d64a9f9c6d992ccd1391ce"><enum>(5)</enum><text>evidence of
adequate financial assurance under section 304, including, if required, a trust
fund as required under section 304(i);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID1a5b7c68a77444df8d2bc3b420ba3774"><enum>(6)</enum><text>the necessary
documentation to demonstrate that the proposed mineral activities will comply
with applicable Federal and State environmental laws (including
regulations);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDb5730f9070064825bbd9fca9afae724c"><enum>(7)</enum><text>a monitoring and
evaluation plan to ensure compliance with reclamation and other requirements of
this Act; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID6f4a31f2c17047cb94871a31fb3b6977"><enum>(8)</enum><text>any other
relevant information determined by the Secretary concerned to be necessary to
satisfy the requirements of this Act and other applicable law.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H3A4CFBF8136D4957B4441786009DC6E6"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Permit
issuance</header>
<paragraph id="id44220238358B4161A5892B71FC7D88B6"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Approval</header>
<subparagraph id="id5C04DD9D9F3045BAACD2AC1A0F6B81A6"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to subparagraph (B), the Secretary concerned
shall approve a permit application and issue a mining permit if the Secretary
concerned determines that the application is in compliance with—</text>
<clause id="id3804B45F650C47E185E6E529C8CBD792"><enum>(i)</enum><text>this Act;</text>
</clause><clause id="id2BD308D1C4754FBEBDAF02901F333BF5"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>any regulations
promulgated under this Act; and</text>
</clause><clause id="idD860C24E4D5F4BF08505407CC873C50B"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>other
applicable laws.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC46C3E98610545809265A4234C83B91D"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Conditions</header><text>The
Secretary concerned may reasonably condition the approval of such a permit to
satisfy the requirements of this Act and applicable regulations.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id8744412EEFAB46C5B1FED26437150A45"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Denial</header><text>The
Secretary concerned shall deny the issuance of a mining permit if the Secretary
concerned determines that the permit does not meet the requirements of—</text>
<subparagraph id="id6356B5A5726B46AC9A3309E89DB58BE2"><enum>(A)</enum><text>this Act;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id70B6234BA066400F975FF7B6D10AA81C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>any regulations
promulgated under this Act; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idD7613247298E41A5B0AE510B1B74D57E"><enum>(C)</enum><text>other applicable
laws.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id63EC0970786F4C1FA45A6E5DAAF5017A"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Notice</header><text>Before
approving or denying a mining permit under this subsection, the Secretary
concerned—</text>
<subparagraph id="idA50601B683044C62B51EA593CF68894E"><enum>(A)</enum><text>shall provide
public notice and an opportunity for written comment; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id94F9E5FB3E0C4AF9B473DEA0D163A9B7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>may hold a public
hearing.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="IDc62bfdc70160418b87a19bee358bc3c6"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Term of permit;
continuation</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="id214B37E380944031A73A1754BF4F63C7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An operations permit
shall—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="ID11104197fb184dcc92af28440b7a63e8"><enum>(A)</enum><text>be for a term of
30 years; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="IDe50ddb471ed7415db170106d7e66c07c"><enum>(B)</enum><text>continue for so
long thereafter as locatable minerals are produced in commercial quantities
from the permit area in compliance with the requirements of this Act and other
applicable law.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDbe8c9bde2abd4497aab3bb8c14ef57f1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Continuation</header><text>No
permit shall expire because operations or production have ceased pursuant to an
approved temporary cessation or been suspended pursuant to any order of, or
with the consent of, the Secretary concerned.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idA1A997E6F4D74578AC649D5DC69E890B"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Modifications
to permit</header>
<paragraph id="id87B910FD3AB0445182798E7FCF32FCF5"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Request from
permit holder</header>
<subparagraph id="idC9E709948ABA421FA19ADD45D0181030"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>A mining permit holder may submit to the Secretary
concerned an application to modify the mining permit.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id0A8129BE448640829F0FA6869E089DB2"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Approval</header>
<clause id="idB06196ACAD1B4140BB8596952E309EBA"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>In determining whether to approve or disapprove a
proposed modification to a mining permit, the Secretary concerned shall make
the same determinations as are required in the case of an original mining
permit.</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id061F5AD544144989923D4A21A78C26BC"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Exceptions</header><text>Clause
(i) shall not apply to minor modifications to a mining permit or instances in
which the nature of the modifications make compliance with the requirements
unnecessary, as determined by the Secretary concerned.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idCBDAC486B63F466D872AEBCAF97C4C67"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Modifications
from Secretary concerned</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idAD7F6F82081447A5BAFE0A07D1FC7C09"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary concerned may require reasonable
modification to any permit on a determination that the requirements of this Act
or other applicable law cannot be met if the permit is followed as
approved.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7675FB3A15FB4E97A4E2F2D994382C46"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Requirements
for determination</header><text>A determination under subparagraph (A) shall
be—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5CA7B37E14384DE88F9F674EBF775057"><enum>(i)</enum><text>based on a
written finding; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1B5BE92C263142E39CB229F40DC223D6"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>subject to
notice and hearing requirements established by the Secretary concerned.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="IDdb552ae3ba0d4f9ba1b58a98d4be19c2"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Land use
fees</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="ID6602ef9a4090483daee3363cff774e04"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>In the case of Federal land included in a mining permit
approved under this section after the date of enactment of this Act, or Federal
land added pursuant to a modification to a permit or plan of operations if the
modification is approved after the date of enactment of this Act, not later
than August 31 of each year, the operator shall pay a land use fee in an amount
established by the Secretary by regulation that is equal to 4 times the claim
maintenance fee imposed section 102(a)(1) for each 20 acres of Federal land
that is included within the mine permit area.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="ID94089463ef2d4733b44ee698f993ff7c"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Additional
fee</header><text>The land use fee imposed under this subsection shall be in
addition to the claim maintenance fees imposed under section 102(a).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="ID6136a053aaf04e6ca23d46316f306e90"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Authorized
activities</header><text>Upon approval by the Secretary concerned of a mining
permit and upon payment of the land use fee as required by this subsection, the
operator may use and occupy all Federal land within the mine permit area for
such uses as are approved in the mining permit if the uses are undertaken in
accordance with all applicable law.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="ID0333bf5781bf4625aa627560e3133d7e"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Adjustment</header><text>Land
use fees imposed under this subsection shall be adjusted as necessary to
correspond to any adjustment in the claim maintenance fees imposed under
section 102(a).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDc3775a438f374727a63a7709cccade05"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Disposition of
funds</header><text>Any amounts received under this subsection shall be
deposited in the Fund.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID34f054adb0ab41f2b110454be787c1b4"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Temporary
cessation of operations</header>
<paragraph id="idF14EF078539448B4A3491B0300260005"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>An operator conducting mineral activities under this
title may not temporarily cease mineral activities for a period of greater than
180 days unless—</text>
<subparagraph id="id65AD2B3580F0444A93C60978AC759CE1"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Secretary
concerned has approved the temporary cessation; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8FD9B956FA284DAD8A10CE0C2DCC9C23"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the temporary
cessation is permitted under the exploration or mining permit.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDc2e56e85c4dc4e9cb472984e2f29d76a"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Multiple
temporary cessations</header><text>The Secretary concerned may approve more
than 1 temporary cessation for mineral activities under a permit.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idD75863D640E347988C67FF145BDF954D"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Interim
management plan</header><text>Any operator temporarily ceasing mineral
activities shall follow an interim management plan approved by the Secretary
concerned.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID2703bfd1e9a14064a84c9f4800860092"><enum>304.</enum><header>Financial
assurances</header>
<subsection id="IDc3d4187539ab466498b8bfc9762f04dd"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Before beginning any mineral activities requiring an
exploration or mining permit under this Act, an operator shall provide to the
Secretary concerned evidence of a bond, surety, or other financial assurance
approved by the Secretary concerned in an amount determined, after public
notice and comment, by the Secretary concerned to be sufficient to ensure the
completion of reclamation under section 306 and the restoration of any land or
water adversely affected by the mineral activities if the work (including any
interim stabilization and infrastructure maintenance activities) would be
performed by the Secretary concerned (or a third party retained by the
Secretary concerned) in the event of forfeiture.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID9dd6a28c3a594093bd3dca0011f70de9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Land and water
covered</header><text>The financial assurance shall cover—</text>
<paragraph id="id3E38E78CE26A477EBABAF76C507F45BA"><enum>(1)</enum><text>all land within
the initial permit area;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idE5DDAD0974F348DD9CB9615612FEA6AC"><enum>(2)</enum><text>all affected
water that may require restoration, treatment, or other management as a result
of mineral activities; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idB8E9351DF2024CBFBE77BFE9AC5C2E1D"><enum>(3)</enum><text>all land added
and water affected pursuant to any permit modification.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDc58d1f8b9f6a46849765f1bea3e23330"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Review</header><text>Not
later than 3 years after the date on which an operator provides financial
assurance in an amount determined under subsection (a) and not later than every
3 years thereafter, the Secretary concerned shall—</text>
<paragraph id="id0171D3921487476FAA1DAFD9FB88C77D"><enum>(1)</enum><text>review the
financial assurance to determine if the amount of the financial assurance is
adequate for purposes of this section; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id13B02ADC0D794A848ECAFC446243D572"><enum>(2)</enum><text>if the Secretary
concerned determines that the amount of the financial assurance is not
adequate, adjust the amount of the financial assurance in accordance with this
section.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID6660c42b5aab4db98ef8a924e2be6538"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Reduction</header>
<paragraph id="id73EB93014C2844C4A8EAF0231182FA27"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary concerned may reduce the amount of the
financial assurance required if the Secretary concerned determines that a
portion of the reclamation is completed in accordance with section 306.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id7DBDCFC6138B47EF9DE7840DE60368C4"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Notice</header><text>Before
reducing or releasing the amount of financial assurance pursuant to this
subsection, the Secretary concerned shall provide public notice and a
reasonable opportunity for public notice and comment in accordance with
subsection (g).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID686be0e331f547648f4614f26595045f"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Incremental
financial assurance</header>
<paragraph id="idB23DBECA741F4DA1BA80AC9C379FB9B2"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary
concerned may authorize amounts of financial assurance for incremental mineral
activities if—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID2e63f762917a452eae7bb01b68d3b251"><enum>(A)</enum><text>no mineral
activities are allowed beyond the activities for which financial assurance is
provided;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDa5d1fc76fd8a4326b4fd0d6ede2d2d3d"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the financial
assurance for an increment covers all reclamation costs within the permit area
for the increment; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDe5263c6f578441a793c138b9772269e4"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the amount and
terms of the financial assurance for each increment are reviewed
annually.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID601892ae43d64ea3bad59fa32960afba"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Review</header><text>Notwithstanding
subsection (c), the Secretary concerned shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="id28149891C34240F7AA810E08D3256DC7"><enum>(A)</enum><text>review at least
on an annual basis the amount and terms of the financial assurance for any
increment; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC55710AC1E744B708320FE0E074256C8"><enum>(B)</enum><text>adjust the
financial assurance as appropriate.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDad43e7c6c86046b199f0c27b54bfc8d2"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Duration</header><text>The
financial assurance required under this section shall be held for the duration
of the mineral activities and for an additional period to cover the
responsibility of the operator for reclamation, long-term maintenance, and
effluent treatment as specified in subsection (h).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID92e58260c77946f88cf9d573ae038f3e"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Release</header><text>Subject
to subsections (h) and (i), the Secretary concerned may, after public notice
and a reasonable opportunity for public comment and after inspection, release
in whole or in part the financial assurance required under this section if the
Secretary concerned determines that—</text>
<paragraph id="ID331f17907b3046a39ae6097013d38b38"><enum>(1)</enum><text>reclamation
covered by the financial assurance has been accomplished as required by this
Act and other applicable law; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDf807ac486ff64fd38724b8bd7812881d"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the terms and
conditions of any other applicable Federal and State requirements have been
fulfilled.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="ID3f87e205f8c9427b8fa3f5bbf7e9db36"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Release of
financial assurance for water</header><text>If the Secretary concerned does not
require the establishment of a trust fund or other long-term funding mechanism
under subsection (i), the portion of the financial assurance attributable to
the estimated cost of treatment of any discharge or other water-related
condition resulting from mineral activities shall not be released until the
public has been provided notice and an opportunity to comment in accordance
with subsection (g) and—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" id="IDa1c127fe5c11425aa048c5d6d1137f73"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the discharge has
ceased for a period of at least 5 years, as determined through ongoing
monitoring and testing; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="ID02ddfda6281c4b7cbff27c85811221c9"><enum>(2)</enum><text>if the discharge
continues, the operator has met all applicable effluent limitations and water
quality standards for a period of at least 5 years.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="ID86c442f1ae7d4ee3b616ca6447a05b41"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Long-term
financial assurances</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="IDf1d65f9145e34813a818b09ab5046f3f"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Notwithstanding subsections (d) and (g), if any discharge
or other water-related condition resulting from mineral activities requires
treatment in order to meet the applicable effluent limitations and water
quality standards, the financial assurance shall cover the estimated cost of
maintaining the treatment for the period that will be needed after the
cessation of mineral activities.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="ID89b8c584098b44eea383e6a18463cf09"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Long-term
funding mechanisms</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="idC5343865849046148FE170C9A6CAAB88"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary concerned shall, if determined necessary by
the Secretary concerned, require the operator to establish a trust fund or
other funding mechanism to provide financial assurances to ensure the
continuation of long-term treatment or other management to achieve water
quality standards and for other long-term, post-mining maintenance or
monitoring requirements.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id370E4F9D7BEF49788D39F73D80F7A3BD"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Amount</header><text>The
amount of funding shall be adequate to provide for construction, long-term
operation, maintenance, or replacement of any treatment facilities and
infrastructure, for as long as the treatment and facilities are needed after
mine closure.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id375E98F0AB9B45A68FAB6DD30E992039"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Liability</header><text>Nothing
in this paragraph allows any person to transfer any liability arising from
mineral activities to any other person.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID112bcb437adf435babeae4ff830afac6"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Report</header>
<paragraph id="id23F9C17F16864864859E18FC52D5F6F9"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture and
the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, shall conduct a
review and submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the
Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a
report regarding the sufficiency of financial assurances for locatable minerals
activities (including exploration and mining) on Federal land.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id2D00A6A432924ECEAD99D80DBF62DB81"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Topics</header><text>The
report shall address—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID34928a03a011455e99daa395c6e1aa23"><enum>(A)</enum><text>methods for
establishing financial assurances levels;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID0abbceed16994a83a7217b3bd6ed1cc0"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the type, level,
and adequacy of financial assurances required for exploration
activities;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDff41ed39a10f4ea087577a865c0b9073"><enum>(C)</enum><text>for each mine on
Federal land—</text>
<clause id="idF985B34596974FC3B20239431F2220A3"><enum>(i)</enum><text>the
dates of approval of any plan of operation or mining permit;</text>
</clause><clause id="id0DEB39B039F446329781AC1853E1108C"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>the acreage
involved;</text>
</clause><clause id="id8D23A29E2CFD43F491E7AAE1CD6541EA"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>the expected
life of the mine;</text>
</clause><clause id="idF3B14828EF0942E7A218BB6CD1D2AAE3"><enum>(iv)</enum><text>the type, level,
and adequacy of financial assurance; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id929188855271490EBFAD3FDE680E03A2"><enum>(v)</enum><text>whether the mine
is expected to require long-term water treatment or maintenance after mine
closure;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDa1ce1ef771074c8da40f16ef9225322c"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the effectiveness
of various types of financial assurances; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID3836577d904f4fada4389026c7fff660"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the availability
of and costs associated with various types of financial assurances.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="ID37e8e7c7d7774348a4994c29d80790e3"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Recommendations</header><text>The
report shall include any recommendations for modifications to Federal law or
applicable regulations to improve the effectiveness of financial assurances for
locatable mineral activities described in paragraph (1).</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section id="ID6ca5c92525914b5fadac252aaa71c8da"><enum>305.</enum><header>Transfer,
assignment, or sale of right</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">The Secretary concerned shall approve the
transfer, assignment, or sale of rights of an exploration or mining permit only
if the successor in interest agrees in writing to assume the liability and
reclamation responsibilities (including the financial assurance requirements
under section 304 (including applicable regulations)) established by the permit
under this Act, without affecting the liability of the transferor under any
other law or exploration or mining permit.</text>
</section><section id="H3FC784E2362C468DACA3F0CEF072DB60"><enum>306.</enum><header>Operation and
reclamation</header>
<subsection id="id0628228D05EC49CA8959D269AFE6D580"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The operator shall restore land and water subject to
mineral activities carried out under a permit issued under this title to a
condition capable of supporting—</text>
<paragraph id="idD94F92A8399F46DC9FF953C8503950A9"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the uses that the
land and water was capable of supporting before surface disturbance by the
operator; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id3E72488F855146E496C0B4B61C9046C7"><enum>(2)</enum><text>other beneficial
uses that conform to applicable land use plans (including, if appropriate, the
generation of renewable energy), as determined by the Secretary
concerned.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id24FE5ACD04434BBE974F64475D5F2BD5"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Timing</header>
<paragraph id="idDB4FAE4352884BB8A42006A7F3E7E74E"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Reclamation activities shall be carried out as
contemporaneously as practicable with the conduct of mineral activities.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idEF3ED04610844970A0B5F729994A5F57"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Temporary
cessation</header><text>If mineral activities are ceased for a period other
than a temporary cessation as approved by the Secretary concerned, reclamation
activities shall begin immediately.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID131227af154a40a4819fb635aeaa528f"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Administration
of land</header><text>Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in
administering the conduct of mineral activities on National Forest System land,
the Secretary of Agriculture shall, by regulation or otherwise, take any action
necessary to prevent unnecessary or undue degradation of the lands.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H2479114755D340F2A3B93540E214EE14"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Operation and
reclamation standards</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The
Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall jointly
promulgate regulations that carry out this Act.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDbe7b8c9216f449199e110549c20ef36f"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Relationship to
other laws</header><text>The requirements of this Act shall be in addition to
any requirements applicable to mineral activities under—</text>
<paragraph id="id52931EBDF7C34913B653C982CBA4A335"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the
<act-name parsable-cite="FLPMA">Federal Land Policy and Management Act of
1976</act-name> (43 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id06D24DBB448A40A58EF89550290B2CAE"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the National
Forest Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 472a et seq.); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idA3D69C62765F47ED8F656EC9D5AF8FF2"><enum>(3)</enum><text>the Act of June
4, 1897 (commonly known as the <quote>Organic Act of 1897 </quote> (16 U.S.C.
473–482, 551).</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" id="H445C0565F07D4ED200AABE89DE07A2B8"><enum>307.</enum><header>Land open to
location</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Section 202(e) of the
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1712(e)) is
amended—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" id="IDfa785ff389e4444b91dbb412e538c08f"><enum>(1)</enum><text>in paragraph (3),
by striking <quote>removed from or restored to the operation of the Mining Law
of 1872, as amended (R.S. 2318–2352; 30 U.S.C. 21 et seq.) or</quote> ;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="ID934e7fb0766a4da58098413eee7efbce"><enum>(2)</enum><text>by adding at the
end the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8A7160A6BDFA4269AE0EFDEC974F651E" style="OLC">
<paragraph commented="no" id="ID7fd6288966be4b03b2470032b0a133a5"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Review of
land</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="idE0C852F8590F49629DA5F277DC5BB80C"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of
this paragraph, each Secretary concerned, acting through the local Federal land
manager, shall, consistent with the respective jurisdiction of each Secretary
concerned, undertake and complete a review of—</text>
<clause commented="no" id="idAADE64B4EF7149B48C939B4A624B9BF9"><enum>(i)</enum><text>public land
designated as a wilderness study area or National Forest System land identified
as suitable for wilderness designation;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" id="idEDA0035C54424DBEA2DE4C4DC3394716"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>areas of
critical environmental concern;</text>
</clause><clause id="ID3f45ec9df1f24609ba7eac1009985713"><enum>(iii)</enum><text>Federal land in
which mineral activities pose a reasonable likelihood of substantial adverse
impacts on National Conservation system units;</text>
</clause><clause id="ID7a3008a06d8b4aa188fb5a0286ef2d39"><enum>(iv)</enum><subclause commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="idAE8D905D22DE4F7CBE65EA64FD41C5A2"><enum>(I)</enum><text>areas designated for
inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System pursuant to the Wild
and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.);</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id25697D2C1E8A4A38A727ADD443672A9C" indent="up1"><enum>(II)</enum><text>areas designated for potential addition
to the System pursuant to section 5(a) of that Act (16 U.S.C. 1276(a));
and</text>
</subclause><subclause id="id820086524F864182BD6216B4BA98E9E9" indent="up1"><enum>(III)</enum><text>areas determined to be eligible for
inclusion in the System pursuant to section 5(d) of that Act (16 U.S.C.
1276(d)); and</text>
</subclause></clause><clause id="IDcc810bbeca3c4f73ac5fba748d6f95f3"><enum>(v)</enum><text>the areas
identified in the set of inventoried roadless area maps contained in the Forest
Service Roadless Areas Conservation, Final Environmental Impact Statement,
volume 2, dated November 2000.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID971ad4d7ef804c77bf4e19c07fcc4de4"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Withdrawals of
land</header>
<subparagraph id="id6A3B1DE629E64D43A95E440E6FE1C260"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subsequent to review in accordance with paragraph (4), in
addition to withdrawals made pursuant to section 204 and subject to valid
existing rights, tracts of Federal land may, pursuant to this paragraph, be
removed from operation of sections 2318 through 2352 of the Revised Statutes
(commonly known and referred to in this subsection as the <quote>Mining Law of
1872</quote>) (30 U.S.C. 21 et seq.) if the Secretary, based on the analysis of
the local Federal land manager, and in the case of National Forest System land,
on the recommendation of the Secretary of Agriculture based on the analysis of
the local Federal land manager, determines that the action is appropriate after
application of the criteria established under subsection (c).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="idEF0319C341144AA6BC999E7FB91247EA"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Revision of
land use plans</header><text>The Secretary concerned, acting through the local
Federal land manager, shall revise or amend the applicable land use plan, as
appropriate, to provide for removal of land, subject to valid existing rights,
from operation of the Mining Law of 1872 on a determination by the Secretary
under subparagraph (A) that the land should be removed from operation of that
Act.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="idA025CADDB77D444D8DF4F8E73EEA825F"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Segregation
from general mining laws pending completion</header><text>On a determination by
the Secretary that the land should be removed from operation of the Mining Law
of 1872, the land shall be immediately segregated from operation of the Mining
Law of 1872 until the plan amendment or revision is completed.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id68FC419E6D6345D28CE7298A34DE3CAD"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Completion
deadline</header><text>Any amendment or revision of a land use plan shall be
completed not later than 1 year after the date of the determination of the
Secretary under subparagraph (A).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="ID5a28900cf0af47458dcce4bd1e6f99bd"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Petition for
review</header><text>The Governor of a State, the head of an Indian tribe, or
an appropriate local government official may petition—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="id17E51E0FB41049E2B9C56EC2E0F5DE57"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the Secretary
concerned to direct the local Federal land manager to undertake a review under
paragraph (4); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id6C05E4634B374F33BE51C6960528FCCE"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the Secretary to
determine whether land within the State should be removed from operation of the
Mining Law of 1872, subject to valid existing rights, pursuant to paragraph
(5).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE0ABE98B8FB44D039EF4FAE6E13FC50C"><enum>308.</enum><header>State
law</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">Any reclamation,
environmental, public health protection, bonding, or inspection standard or
requirement in State law (including regulations) that meets or exceeds the
requirements of this Act shall not be considered to be inconsistent with this
Act.</text>
</section><section id="id096AB6B84A184E2B88309C9A0EF3A185"><enum>309.</enum><header>Inspection and
monitoring</header>
<subsection id="id2E8D95456BF34EB28AE0C69793C7C132"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Inspections</header>
<paragraph id="id319371A90FE34F4B81FF53BFD5B26321"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary concerned shall make inspections of mineral
activities to ensure compliance with this Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id1BDDF950B1D24B8B8858017C464EC984"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Timing</header><text>The
Secretary concerned shall establish the frequency of inspections for mineral
activities conducted under a permit issued under this Act, with the Secretary
concerned requiring not less than 1 complete inspection per calendar
quarter.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idEB3C6B1422524EB395B0FAE9F263962A"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Annual
inspections</header><text>After revegetation has been established in accordance
with a reclamation plan, the Secretary concerned shall conduct not less than 2
complete inspections per year.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id4B0A3E98B5A64215A41C80C66014B311"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Seasonal
activities</header><text>The Secretary concerned shall have the discretion to
modify the inspection frequency for mineral activities that are conducted on a
seasonal basis, except that the Secretary concerned shall require not less than
2 complete inspections per calendar year.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id9C6B4A38E18B42119C70ED678DF77062"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Financial
assurance</header><text>Inspections shall continue under this subsection until
the final release of financial assurance.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id4FA464774A8E4001A6A3CCAB76936B34"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Monitoring</header><text>The
Secretary concerned shall require all operators—</text>
<paragraph id="id92AA31308947406E87D99C46F4BAAE1C"><enum>(1)</enum><text>to develop and
maintain a monitoring and evaluation system to identify compliance with all
requirements of a permit approved under this Act; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id9D8D2A51A368442DBBFE1DD71096F00D"><enum>(2)</enum><text>to submit such
reports as may be required by the Secretary concerned.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><enum>IV</enum><header>Hardrock Minerals
Reclamation Fund</header>
<section id="HB9C48332F4C14DB7A9A675FC769C1D4"><enum>401.</enum><header>Establishment of
Fund</header>
<subsection id="HBD4D577DEE76494A914E4F2010505969"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Establishment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There is established in the Treasury of the
United States a separate account, to be known as the <quote>Hardrock Minerals
Reclamation Fund</quote>, consisting of—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" id="HCD90B450F265428D9CF352AB17030870"><enum>(1)</enum><text>any amounts
received by the United States under section 101;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HDD1AD570C4754871935D98A4E5336DF6"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any amounts collected under section 102
(subject to the requirements of section 102(c)(1));</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H1085DB179A45468A81F83CE1A8D931B2"><enum>(3)</enum><text>any amounts
donated to the Fund by persons, corporations, associations, and
foundations;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HDC30B73FBE4B4D4F934FBCE0A5BC0070"><enum>(4)</enum><text>any amounts
collected under section 201;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID2fa234b162dd46cf87b586e1f385ec2f"><enum>(5)</enum><text>any amounts
collected under section 303(e);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDd5d13f71dd5c4add939b9a31faac2e88"><enum>(6)</enum><text>any amounts
collected under section 403;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H5825EC76B9724A4C9000000001B01E8E"><enum>(7)</enum><text>any amounts
collected under sections 203 and 502; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HC638FD49EB8F46328432941D00E18500"><enum>(8)</enum><text>any income on
investments under subsection (b).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idD3E04FD89A9B443D84A54E437F1CF25B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Investment</header>
<paragraph id="idC24D5C77AD2A45ED9EDF880EC3416AD1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary shall notify the Secretary of the Treasury
of any portion of the Fund that the Secretary determines is not required to
meet current withdrawals.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id2978D04022A543428329CE15345A1ACF"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Eligible
investments</header><text>The Secretary of the Treasury shall invest portions
of the Fund identified under paragraph (1) in public debt securities with
maturities suitable for the needs of the Fund.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idEE27551B34F1494F93A415133410BE3E"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Interest</header><text>Investments
in public debt securities shall bear interest at rates determined by the
Secretary of the Treasury, taking into consideration current market yields on
outstanding marketplace obligations of the United States of comparable
maturity.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H6257F43C38B54E699761311857007F61"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Administration</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Fund shall be administered by the
Secretary, acting through the Director of the Office of Surface Mining
Reclamation and Enforcement.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="H79A79FC35A384157A22725AFF039B8FA"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Expenditures</header><text>Subject
to section 402, amounts in the Fund may, without fiscal year limitation and
without further appropriation—</text>
<paragraph id="idADE3E595B524405E81BE6A7A02AF3121"><enum>(1)</enum><text>be expended by
the Secretary for the purposes described in section 402;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id13C586D5322141A1AD157E7D2977DE8E"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">be transferred by the Secretary to the
Director of the Bureau of Land Management, the Chief of the Forest Service, the
Director of the National Park Service, the Director of the United States Fish
and Wildlife Service, or the head of any other Federal agency, that develops,
implements, and has the ability to carry out all or a significant portion of a
reclamation program under this title; or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDbd9efbc93768424687563f858fa57305"><enum>(3)</enum><text>be transferred by
the Secretary to an Indian tribe or a State with an approved reclamation
program, as provided in subsection (e).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID07cc6a4345e94351bad1f0d95cf9b7fb"><enum>(e)</enum><header>State and
tribal reclamation programs</header>
<paragraph id="id49F0A0230F214F3E925F7FB66EC943F1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Each State having within the borders of the State, or
tribe having within the borders of the reservation of the tribe, mined land
that is eligible for reclamation under this title may submit to the Secretary a
reclamation program for the land.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id3BF765D7F94B402CAF582ED29F49B1AE"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Approval</header><text>If
the Secretary determines that a State or tribe has developed and submitted a
program for reclamation of abandoned mines consistent with the priorities
established under section 402(c) and has the ability and necessary State or
tribal legislation to implement this title, the Secretary shall—</text>
<subparagraph id="id4DB55EF55AE24403BAFB91C81DD67664"><enum>(A)</enum><text>approve the
program; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8C698F3CAF7B42A0840990E79E3B3CD7"><enum>(B)</enum><text>grant to the
State or tribe the exclusive responsibility and authority to implement the
approved program.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id7ABB320A0CDC4BCE8B95AA86B0D9A2F4"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Withdrawal of
approval</header><text>The Secretary shall withdraw the approval and
authorization if the Secretary determines that the State or tribal program is
not in compliance with procedures, guidelines, and requirements established by
the Secretary.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID1b9c2a8b43a14e26a361ceea686520dc"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Approval of
existing programs</header><text>Subject to paragraph (3), any State program in
an abandoned hardrock mine State or tribal program for reclamation of abandoned
mines approved under title IV of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act
of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1231 et seq.) before the date of enactment of this Act and
in good standing with the Secretary as of that date shall be considered
approved under this title.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H0ED9F722D317474B9BF600030532D1B4"><enum>402.</enum><header>Use and
objectives of the Fund</header>
<subsection id="idA4D1AD42DF6D4FB89F10BE49A928B1E8"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Use</header>
<paragraph id="id3FB679E81CB94D41AEE5FB4CE9B245CA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary may, subject to the availability of
appropriations, use amounts in the Fund for the reclamation and restoration of
land and water resources adversely affected by past hardrock minerals and
mining and related activities in abandoned hardrock mine States and on Indian
land located within the exterior boundaries of abandoned hardrock mine States,
including the conduct of activities—</text>
<subparagraph id="idCD42F65BFD334391AC45F8FD86A7B8E9"><enum>(A)</enum><text>to protect public
health and safety;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id2E03671725B045839AC3FE3AA4AA1B5C"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to prevent,
abate, treat, and control water pollution created by abandoned mine drainage,
including activities conducted in watersheds;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idF006E4458FD6452EBA788982444856F7"><enum>(C)</enum><text>to reclaim and
restore abandoned surface and underground mined areas;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idC724AB03F10B473FA48BD5DCE6750DB2"><enum>(D)</enum><text>to reclaim and
restore abandoned milling and processing areas;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id16DCF14CDAA7412FA3FC7A6E1FA0786F"><enum>(E)</enum><text>to backfill,
seal, or otherwise control abandoned underground mine entries;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idA3E0CD98EFB949B9BADF7D174798FA00"><enum>(F)</enum><text>to revegetate
land adversely affected by past mining activities—</text>
<clause id="id12179FE3EE564206A4393FE688A505E7"><enum>(i)</enum><text>to
prevent erosion and sedimentation; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id3E5B73FAFCF94B08806FFF581F004BD3"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>for any other
reclamation purpose;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id8E9BEAE58E6B4C299C8E2205B6EFCB6B"><enum>(G)</enum><text>to control
surface subsidence due to abandoned underground mines; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id61322C828E4D42F6B3FED8B7EAE15A3B"><enum>(H)</enum><text>to enhance fish
and wildlife habitat.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id4787730454A54AF4BBA2008E50AA4879"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Determination</header><text>Before
expending amounts in the Fund for the purposes described in paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall make a determination that there is no continuing reclamation
responsibility of the claim holder, operator, or other person who abandoned the
site before completion of the required reclamation under Federal or State
law.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="H36B8D31505A1443199EF731760A400B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Allocation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Of the amounts deposited in the Fund each
fiscal year—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" id="id61786D63BC364E91B40943B00EB9259D"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">20 percent shall be allocated by the
Secretary for expenditure by the Secretary or, if a State or Indian tribe has
an approved program pursuant to section 401(e), by the State or Indian tribe,
in the States in which, or on Indian land on which, hardrock minerals are
produced, based on a formula reflecting existing production in the State or on
the land of the Indian tribe;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id5F0FB16DF0AB404189CE7093C3FF3E52"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">30 percent shall be allocated by the
Secretary for expenditure by the Secretary or, if a State or Indian tribe has
an approved program pursuant to section 401(e), by the State or Indian tribe,
in the States and on Indian land using a formula based on the quantity of
hardrock minerals historically produced in the State or from the Indian land
before the date of enactment of this Act;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="ID88a8d40ab269438c815a5513bf79039c"><enum>(3)</enum><text>25 percent shall
be allocated by the Secretary for expenditure on Federal land;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="idB7F578CCC65D409DA937E1D496E9BCCE"><enum>(4)</enum><text>10 percent shall
be available to the Secretary for grants under subsection (e);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="IDba267598adcb4f33826fcfb38d6d6639"><enum>(5)</enum><text>10 percent shall
be available to the Secretary for grants under subsection (f); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="ID9ab7cd91827641d181a5026bacd0cf5c"><enum>(6)</enum><text>5 percent shall
be available for administrative expenses of the United States, Indian tribes,
and the States to accomplish the purposes of this title.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="IDad64daf7cad040ed9142c581bfd8e759"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Priorities</header>
<paragraph id="ID5b57425f3f294c08a950d9514695d6ee"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to paragraph (2), expenditures from the Fund
shall be based on the following priorities:</text>
<subparagraph id="IDc55d45a86d6f4f25ab69f380e04bfc9e"><enum>(A)</enum><text>The conduct of
activities to protect public health and safety from the adverse effects of past
hardrock mineral mining activities, including activities addressing surface
water and groundwater contaminants.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID8f029af4f20a491fb89caeccec2191fb"><enum>(B)</enum><text>The conduct of
activities to restore land, water, and fish and wildlife resources degraded by
the adverse effects of past hardrock mineral mining activities, including
restoration activities in watershed areas.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="IDae818b63898d464c8183abb12e8f4dac"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Multiple
priorities</header><text>In complying with the priorities established under
this subsection, funds may be expended for reclamation activities under
paragraph (1)(B) before the completion of all reclamation projects under
paragraph (1)(A) if the expenditure of the funds for reclamation activities
under paragraph (1)(B) is made in conjunction with reclamation activities under
paragraph (1)(A).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID427c69fba1ba4eda810348a208c3803d"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Minimum
expenditure</header><text>Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) and (2), not less than
25 percent of the expenditures by the Secretary on Federal lands for any year
shall be for the purposes described in paragraph (1)(B).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H9CCC76C7BEF94B4A95A946DE55C1BE00"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Eligible land
and water</header>
<paragraph id="H7CD89D022B804267BC5F7D86B3D3F2C"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Amounts may be expended for reclamation activities under
this section only with respect to land or water resources if the land or water
resources have been—</text>
<subparagraph id="id2BCB4058DB7F4292BDA35E6A151C5686"><enum>(A)</enum><text>affected by
hardrock mineral mining activities; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id2FCC060EFBCA4958AC75B75534DB8ED5"><enum>(B)</enum><text>abandoned or left
in an inadequate reclamation status.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="H6535327B47884E588F21220916D4CB7B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Specific sites
and areas not eligible</header><text>Section 411(d) of the Surface Mining
Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/1240a">30 U.S.C. 1240a(d)</external-xref>) shall apply to
expenditures from the Fund.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="HF485919418B84C5CACF61D57D62FABFC"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Inventory</header>
<subparagraph id="idA332AC80F81A4D7E806A1BB59D275AA6"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary shall—</text>
<clause id="id6E763891498A4DE7826F83FF36CB0535"><enum>(i)</enum><text>prepare and
maintain a publicly available inventory of abandoned hardrock minerals mines on
Federal land, State land, other publicly owned land, private land, and any
abandoned mine on Indian land that may be eligible for expenditures under this
section; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id1BBB296C40A24128B2E141079E947896"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>submit to
Congress an annual report that describes the progress in reclaiming the sites
listed on the inventory.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="idB471F34C23F04D26A24FF8DA438A63EA"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Maximum
expenditure</header><text>The Secretary shall expend not more than $5,000,000
to carry out the inventory required by this paragraph.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID1da4b270a30f4c11b86a2a4b6792019e"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Grants to
certain States</header>
<paragraph id="IDd35d06d37e0343b1810f3f935e726cb3"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary shall use amounts made available under
subsection (b)(4) to make grants to States, other than abandoned hardrock mine
States, to carry out reclamation and restoration of land and water resources
adversely affected by past hardrock minerals and mining activities, including
the conduct of activities described in subsection (a)(1).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID2568512fecc74d449518a00f184013ed"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Determination</header><text>Before
awarding a grant under this subsection, the Secretary shall make a
determination that there is no continuing reclamation responsibility of any
person who abandoned the site before completion of required reclamation under
Federal or State law.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID4f18a8c9ea0d4e79ae2e2a254e69553d"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Criteria</header><text>The
Secretary shall establish by regulation the procedures and criteria for
awarding grants under this subsection, which shall include—</text>
<subparagraph id="IDa0da5dd1fe8b40359ec4307428534086"><enum>(A)</enum><text>consistency with
the priorities established under subsection (c)(1); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDb61386ea9e9d45a9a5305c0977fd4910"><enum>(B)</enum><text>priority for
those projects for which Federal funding is not available under other laws or
programs.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="IDe6f831dabda044c1a6162ea4027dcaa0"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Grants to
public entities and nonprofit organizations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall use amounts made
available under subsection (b)(5) to make grants to public entities (including
State fish and game agencies and local governments) and nonprofit organizations
(based on criteria established by the Secretary by regulation) to carry out
activities that support collaborative restoration projects to improve fish and
wildlife habitat affected by past hardrock minerals and mining activities,
including activities that—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" id="id4B0B3803BC714864B90B48A32369156E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>improve water
quality and quantity;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id90D61D2CA98D4B059999761ED86AAB1B"><enum>(2)</enum><text>restore
watersheds in which historic mining dewatered or otherwise fragmented stream
habitats;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id20E5BDCCAE5B47839B987082C9FC078E"><enum>(3)</enum><text>restore instream
habitat conditions necessary to support aquatic species;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="idD5333197024A43AA80956B9DF91B130B"><enum>(4)</enum><text>restore
vegetative cover and streamside areas to control erosion and improve conditions
for fish and wildlife;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id8C49FAC7E0F54B7C94332C36DDC2E2A6"><enum>(5)</enum><text>control and
remove noxious weeds and invasive species associated with historic mining
disturbances that affect fish and wildlife;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id6FCEB90D1DBC46DEAA69084C7C4664B3"><enum>(6)</enum><text>restore fish and
wildlife habitat in cases in which previous hardrock minerals and mining
activity limits fish and wildlife productivity;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id1E183C7069024A88BDD973A3FA9D47F7"><enum>(7)</enum><text>protect and
restore fish and wildlife habitat in areas affected by historic minerals and
mining activity; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="idC9A1BAE2B1C545E5B1BDDB5A39587E35"><enum>(8)</enum><text>mitigate impacts
to watersheds affected by past hardrock minerals and mining activities.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="id59C6EC08CE0E4654898CFF77C1B08471"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Response or
removal actions</header>
<paragraph id="id9DED87993537415DA76C7F7E83559B21"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Reclamation and restoration activities conducted under
this section that constitute a removal or remedial action under section 101 of
the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of
1980 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/9601">42 U.S.C.
9601</external-xref>) shall be conducted only with the concurrence of the
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idC1D52AA10CEB4F0F98188C519F8B4D9F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Memorandum of
understanding</header><text>The Secretary and the Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency shall enter into a memorandum of understanding
to establish procedures for consultation, concurrence, training, the exchange
of technical expertise, and the conduct of joint activities, as appropriate,
that provide assurances that reclamation or restoration activities under this
section shall not be conducted in a manner that—</text>
<subparagraph id="id03594D5376EF41D298DE25D5FD7B4E91"><enum>(A)</enum><text>increases the
costs or likelihood of removal or remedial actions under the Comprehensive
Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/9601">42 U.S.C. 9601 et
seq.</external-xref>); or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC9CD2A206E544C3AA78963E9AD8C9E95"><enum>(B)</enum><text>to the maximum
extent practicable, avoids oversight by multiple agencies.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="idE7DDCFD136A640C784227F2F43D2092E"><enum>403.</enum><header>Abandoned mine
land reclamation fee</header>
<subsection id="ID2027c8bcf0ca4e8894fcb25d86d0af83"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Imposition of
fee</header><text>Each operator of a hardrock minerals mining operation shall
pay to the Secretary, for deposit in the Fund, a reclamation fee in an amount
established by the Secretary by regulation of not less than 0.3 percent, and
not more than 1.0 percent, of the value of the production (other than
reasonable transportation, beneficiation, and processing costs) from the
hardrock minerals mining operation for each calendar year.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="id1755CA40E0E443F2A9E42B6B581DF0E3"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Value of
production</header><text>For purposes of this section, the Secretary shall
determine the value of production in the same manner as provided under section
201(a).</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID9720dc3828974401bf916569182ee5d4"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Payment
deadline</header><text>The reclamation fee shall be paid not later than 60 days
after the end of each calendar year beginning with the first calendar year
occurring after the date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="ID5fe12984f2ab482b91b81b4c6b635d6d"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Deposit of
revenues</header><text>Amounts received by the Secretary under subsection (a)
shall be deposited into the Fund.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDe377a604b0364426941bb3677cfc2e19"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Effect</header><text>Nothing
in this section requires a reduction in, or otherwise affects, any similar fee
required under any law (including regulations) of any State.</text>
</subsection></section><enum>V</enum><header>Transition rules,
administrative provisions, and miscellaneous provisions</header>
<section id="HC65341AC9DFA444EB5786FF0FC319448"><enum>501.</enum><header>Transition
rules</header>
<subsection id="H7F703C9F0F12400DBBA40273C8EBDE9B"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Applicability</header>
<paragraph id="idA5272398D3D649DDB1A7E862754C6364"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except as provided in
paragraph (2), section 201(b), and section 303(f), the requirements of this Act
apply to any mining claim, millsite, or tunnel site located under the general
mining laws, before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H411625490BF24943A33BA673BDA0043C"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Preexisting
claim</header><text>If a plan of operations is approved or a notice of
operations is filed for mineral activities on any claim or site referred to in
paragraph (1) before the date of enactment of this Act—</text>
<subparagraph id="idADA263478EF647148197664EB9E9D6B5"><enum>(A)</enum><text>during the
10-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act—</text>
<clause id="idB443C60F6D2248D2B97D9454CF9DA87F"><enum>(i)</enum><text>mineral
activities at the claim or site shall be subject to the plan of operations or
notice of operations; and</text>
</clause><clause id="idA720F83792B840E3B53DCF6AA11F61DA"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>if
the Secretary concerned determines that any modifications to the plan of
operations are minor, modification may be made in accordance with the laws
applicable before the date of enactment of this Act; and</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="id286ED147E31B4B8D86AD6FF43DD6E489"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the operator
shall bring the mineral activities into compliance with this Act (including
implementing regulations) by the end of the 10-year period beginning on the
date of enactment of this Act.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID678a5ba0e5a24b42a2280eb5300ab340"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Fees</header><text>Except
as provided in section 201(b) and 303(f), all fees required to be paid under
this Act shall apply beginning on the date of enactment of this Act to—</text>
<subparagraph id="idC82CF51888BA40EB854ECF98E756CA6F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>any mining claim,
millsite, or tunnel site located under the general mining laws (including
production from the claim or site) before, on, or after the date of enactment
of this Act;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idFCCD34DFF39449978930CE9D21B28FB9"><enum>(B)</enum><text>all land covered
by a plan of operations or a notice of operations, exploration permit, or
mining permit; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDa5ad409c601e49ecad2d9847111544c2"><enum>(C)</enum><text>with respect to
the fee established by section 403, any production on or after the date of
enactment of this Act from any hardrock minerals mining operation.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idDEF97F61FFC44D8A91DAEBE3261AB166"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Application of
Act to beneficiation and processing of non-Federal minerals on Federal
land</header>
<paragraph id="id801435ADC609435F9522BA6DCB5526A1"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>This Act (including the surface management and operation
requirements of title III) shall apply in the same manner and to the same
extent to mining claims, millsites, and tunnel sites used for beneficiation or
processing activities for any mineral without regard to whether the legal and
beneficial title to the mineral is held by the United States.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="idB3B974A372824F50A4421146F6698C8F"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Applicability</header><text>This
subsection applies only to minerals that—</text>
<subparagraph id="idC642EE4F968D402688FFE54177C51C2B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>are locatable
minerals; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id5957A63A57B5475AA21D193F7C404C97"><enum>(B)</enum><text>would be
locatable minerals if the legal and beneficial title to the minerals were held
by the United States.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" id="id6079309C417D45A7BD84391901BFEEC0"><enum>502.</enum><header>Enforcement</header>
<subsection commented="no" id="HF016B39EB5674AB6884D5FE6C7EE54A2"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Orders</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="id47D723FCC5AF455DADA392AF87ECD0C7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Notice of
violation</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="idB54D0C7EA89F4AD39A6963920C94B3BA"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>If the Secretary concerned determines that any person is
in violation of any surface management or operation requirement under title III
or any regulation promulgated to carry out such a requirement or any permit
condition required pursuant to title III, the Secretary concerned shall provide
to the person a notice that describes the violation and any necessary
corrective actions.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id5BA154CD572E4FCE8DC3FEDFA0B9E22C"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Abatement
period</header>
<clause commented="no" id="idDFBC8FF2943148EF84A3DA7CD09E69ED"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to clause (ii), a person that receives notice
under subparagraph (A) shall have not more than 90 days after the date of
receipt of the notice to abate the violation.</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" id="id40AD605DBBF94D6EA1F8C0ED0839BCD7"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Extension</header><text>The
Secretary concerned may extend the period described in clause (i) if the person
shows good cause for the extension, as determined by the Secretary
concerned.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id0FB5E26573EE44A6B025F4FCA5BC28C0"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Cessation
order</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="id3C861E39D3074111B62CB798148654CC"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary concerned shall immediately order a
cessation of mineral activities if the Secretary concerned determines that any
condition or practice exists, or any person is in violation of any requirement
of a permit approved, or notice of operations submitted, under this Act, that
is causing, or can reasonably be expected to cause—</text>
<clause commented="no" id="id65ACA92C3F5D4B089C2A4C8A46280AC2"><enum>(i)</enum><text>an imminent
danger to the health or safety of the public; or</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" id="idBC7D48130A8142DFA719B973224B7E9E"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>significant,
imminent harm to land, air, water, or fish or wildlife resources.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id244150A09D41488BA9124FDE9E295937"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Requirements</header>
<clause commented="no" id="id17A5E04BEF804199ACC38FD0EEBB6302"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>A cessation order issued under subparagraph (A) shall
remain in effect until the Secretary concerned—</text>
<subclause commented="no" id="idE00639F282D84988B14CEB5CB4C13B2C"><enum>(I)</enum><text>determines that
the condition, practice, or violation has been abated; or</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" id="id74F6E483EBE34B1D92FE1C7FE7761CAB"><enum>(II)</enum><text>modifies,
vacates, or terminates the cessation order.</text>
</subclause></clause><clause commented="no" id="idC4EC23E9858C4A68941C904B19422E33"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Abatement</header><text>In
any cessation order issued under subparagraph (A), the Secretary concerned
shall—</text>
<subclause commented="no" id="idF55CF772BCE647C9BCC6551037B20765"><enum>(I)</enum><text>identify the
steps necessary to abate the violation in the most expeditious manner
practicable; and</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" id="id33EC5F0234A6457B967675D7B59ED781"><enum>(II)</enum><text>require
appropriate financial assurances to ensure that the abatement obligations are
met.</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="idC36C44B2E01A4364AD181C7ABFBE2047"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Enforcement</header>
<clause commented="no" id="idBBA2669ECF8D47819BBDDE39036A2735"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>If the required abatement has not been completed by the
date that is 30 days after the date on which an order is issued under
subparagraph (A), the Secretary concerned shall bring against the person
failing to complete the abatement an enforcement action that is most likely to
bring about abatement in the most expeditious manner practicable, including
seeking appropriate injunctive relief to bring about abatement.</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id834D5A575F4A44F9979F789EDCE34821"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Effect</header><text>Nothing
in this subparagraph precludes the Secretary concerned from taking alternative
enforcement action before the date described in clause (i).</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="idA2838D4506FC43989A0E461E49010D6F"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Modifications</header><text>The
Secretary concerned may modify, vacate, or terminate any notice or order issued
under paragraph (1) or (2).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id7D9EFFA14AD14224858B8226ED17A5D9"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Forfeiture</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="idD77CAA74F20A40629876EFF4A18417DC"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>If a person fails to abate a violation or defaults on the
terms of the permit, the Secretary concerned shall forfeit the financial
assurance for the permit as necessary to ensure abatement and reclamation under
this Act.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id39AFE547BD224E298482C7300EED8FD9"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Alternatives</header><text>The
Secretary concerned may prescribe conditions under which a surety may perform
reclamation in accordance with the approved permit and applicable law instead
of forfeiture.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="idBF9A245758D54AC1A9DA227F58C79542"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Liability</header><text>In
the event of forfeiture, the claim holder or operator, or a subsidiary, parent
company, corporation, or partner of the claim holder, or operator shall be
jointly and severally liable for any remaining reclamation obligations under
this Act.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="id20AAC6712BBA4BDE99876509583BB73B"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Civil
penalties</header>
<paragraph id="ID47e980ba66c4490aaf0406559042d732"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Subject to paragraph (2), any person that violates any
surface management or operation requirement under title III, any regulation
promulgated to carry out such a requirement, or any permit condition required
pursuant to title III may be assessed a civil penalty by the Secretary
concerned.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id9BCCA6175ACE43D4999489B50828F858"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Cessation
order</header><text>If the violation leads to the issuance of a cessation order
under subsection (a)(2), the Secretary concerned shall assess the civil
penalty.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id0CFAF80F353E4AE88BF03094E6F70E12"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Maximum
amount</header><text>The penalty shall not exceed $5,000 for each
violation.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id1AFA536BAD9541F9BF1608EEF4E08840"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Continuing
violations</header><text>Each day of continuing violation may be considered a
separate violation for purposes of penalty assessments.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id64E5F9C365A2415E82F1088667535102"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Factors
affecting amount</header><text>In determining the amount of the penalty for a
violation by a person, the Secretary concerned shall consider—</text>
<subparagraph id="id748191C2D7BE44BEB54E3B812FD0BCAA"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the history of
the person of previous violations;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id9EDDF6B1EA8144D8B956C732A53C86D4"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the seriousness
of the violation, including any irreparable harm to the environment and any
hazard to the health or safety of the public;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id576B6F02E3C74682A82056EC9DC3105D"><enum>(C)</enum><text>whether the
person was negligent; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id5D5031AEE76C4779A3946071DEF1DBEC"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the demonstrated
good faith of the person charged in attempting to achieve rapid compliance
after notification of the violation.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="ID8083f408b32d43149045102184e58594"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Corporate
liability</header><text>If a corporate permittee is in violation of a
requirement of any surface management or operations requirement under title III
of this Act, any regulation promulgated to carry out such a requirement, or any
permit condition required pursuant to title III, or fails or refuses to comply
with a notice or an order issued under subsection (a), any director, officer,
or agent of the corporation who willfully and knowingly authorized, ordered, or
carried out the violation, failure, or refusal shall be subject to civil
penalties, fines, and imprisonment that may be imposed under a person under
this subsection, subsection (d) or (e).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID3db9da2e66ba4bf285fc1a2a49262ef9"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Administrative
review</header>
<paragraph id="IDe78c390c805241b093c7d138025cd43f"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Compliance
order</header><text>Any person issued a notice of violation or a cessation
order under subsection (a) may apply to the Secretary concerned for review of
the notice or order by the date that is not later than 30 days after receipt of
the notice or order.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDd62a4f749d1d4c5ba6c620b448a86fc8"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Civil
penalty</header><text>Any person who is subject to a civil penalty assessed by
the Secretary concerned under this section may apply to the Secretary concerned
for review of the penalty by the date that is not later than 30 days after the
date on which the person receives notice of the penalty.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID3c3c45607dba414aadc0f7a1248f18b0"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Hearing</header><text>The
Secretary concerned shall provide an opportunity for a hearing on the record
subject to section 554 of title 5, United States Code, at the request of any
person that is—</text>
<subparagraph id="idED6DD7D3EC1B45C5A9189B9F9A4F0219"><enum>(A)</enum><text>issued a notice
of violation under subsection (a)(1);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idCE7A7BD30CC846B7BB1C063E7EA0C856"><enum>(B)</enum><text>issued a
cessation order under subsection (a)(2); or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="idB68DDA62E45942F1877609EC4CCDAA90"><enum>(C)</enum><text>subject to civil
penalties under subsection (b).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="id1DEDAF3FA46643FF80D8C78B543F2569"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Civil
action</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="idF1A993355D3444BF99526C290A6B5B88"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The Secretary concerned may submit to the Attorney
General a request to bring a civil action for relief, including a permanent or
temporary injunction or restraining order and the imposition of civil
penalties, in any appropriate district court of the United States, if a
person—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="idF3A73DB8545746EF9AC73207978A2A7F"><enum>(A)</enum><text>violates, fails,
or refuses to comply with any notice or order issued by the Secretary concerned
under subsection (a); or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="idEAF1DDFEC0D04A1F999B314912896523"><enum>(B)</enum><text>interferes with,
hinders, or delays the Secretary concerned in carrying out an inspection under
section 309.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="idBB2B9FB34398409FA54650744A924A1E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Relief</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="id714545EE730240E89B970AFA20C1930C"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The court hearing a civil action brought under paragraph
(1) shall have the jurisdiction to provide any relief that the court determines
to be appropriate.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id65BE2E5329A1435FA6AD732825A764FE"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Review</header><text>Any
relief granted by the court to enforce an order under paragraph (1) shall
continue in effect until the date on which all proceedings for review of the
order are completed or terminated unless the court granting the relief sets the
relief aside.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="id854C1C0A2741461AA45007A5260B5E74"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Criminal
penalties</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="id1BEAF8FF12B646A3BDEC696826C30713"><enum>(1)</enum><header>False
statements; tampering</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="id84FE0947642740358A3B3E80EA59CC50"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>A person shall, on conviction, be punished by a fine of
not more than $25,000, imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or fine and
imprisonment if the person willfully and knowingly—</text>
<clause commented="no" id="id6EA27CA6A3D94E1D8AE8D9DA79E5E33C"><enum>(i)</enum><text>makes any false
material statement, representation, or certification in, omits or conceals
material information from, or unlawfully alters, any mining claim, notice of
location, application, record, report, plan, or other document filed or
required to be maintained under this Act; or</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" id="idD4798073C85A407C95406891F65C5FA3"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>falsifies,
tampers with, renders inaccurate, or fails to install any monitoring device or
method required to be maintained under this Act.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id6E284E38599943DBB2FFCDD6C4ADFAD8"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Second
violation</header><text>If a conviction of a person under subparagraph (A) is
for a violation committed after a first conviction of the person under that
subparagraph, punishment shall be by a fine of not more than $50,000,
imprisonment of not more than 2 years, or fine and imprisonment.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id3D6669081682475A903DCDA7E0753EA2"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Knowing
violations</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="idD6C609BAEE324AE9B9C0AC9DAF56D676"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>A person shall, on conviction, be punished by a fine of
not more than $25,000, imprisonment for not more than 1 year, or both if the
person willfully and knowingly—</text>
<clause commented="no" id="idB79086FA88D449D8BABD388BE8906589"><enum>(i)</enum><text>engages in
mineral activities without a permit if required under section 302 or 303;
or</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" id="id2D51FFF1ED6745CDB6CD6F6EBEE0C5CE"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>violates any
surface management or operation requirement under title III (including any
regulation promulgated to carry out the requirement) or any requirement,
condition, or limitation of a permit issued under this Act.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id938B6F4594874FB19F13F7111EBD14E2"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Second
violation</header><text>If a conviction of a person under subparagraph (A) is
for a violation committed after the first conviction of the person under that
subparagraph, punishment shall be a fine of not more than $50,000, imprisonment
of not more than 2 years, or both.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="HCF1E100411AF4C559B68CA23CD009EB2"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Delegation</header><text>Notwithstanding
any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Interior may use personnel of
the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement or the Bureau of Land
Management to ensure compliance with this Act.</text>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" id="idBEF951E21F7D47459BA6075AAD299307"><enum>503.</enum><header>Judicial
review</header>
<subsection commented="no" id="id70AA775808434353AC80FE1BCE0154E4"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Rulemaking</header>
<paragraph commented="no" id="id88AD0FF8886A42A7AC898DABB65C527A"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>The following shall be subject to judicial review only in
the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia:</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" id="id9953A9178114426AA2A8A41E7B89E51B"><enum>(A)</enum><text>Any final action
by the Secretary concerned in promulgating regulations to carry out this
Act.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" id="id8DD3319281F14CA887EAB1843CE95635"><enum>(B)</enum><text>Any other final
actions considered to be a rulemaking to carry out this Act.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" id="id31F4564338E64A779BB2B2B6E2B1ED5B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Deadline</header><text>A
petition for review of any action subject to judicial review under paragraph
(1) shall be filed not later than 60 days after the date of the action unless
the petition is based solely on grounds arising after the 60-day period.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" id="id8703CDF315CA474BB9A2B4262D9A0FCD"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Final agency
action</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except as provided in
subsection (a), final agency action under this Act shall be subject to judicial
review in the district courts of the United States in accordance with section
1391 of title 28, United States Code.</text>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" id="idE4410138A24D43D48787D5B8AA45763B"><enum>504.</enum><header>Uncommon
varieties</header>
<subsection id="HBE522FB82D1A4D75923E9CA2CD767CDC"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Determinations</header><text>Section
3 of the Act of July 23, 1955 (<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/30/611">30 U.S.C. 611</external-xref>), is amended—</text>
<paragraph id="H3679A33B68554A3595CFA9D9D8D0004E"><enum>(1)</enum><text>by striking
<quote><header-in-text level="section" other-style="traditional-inline" style="other">Sec.</header-in-text> 3. No deposit</quote> and inserting the
following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB318290AFE6B4B898580C3FA9D1CE91B" style="OLC">
<section id="idBC7B6865FCA340DFB63A1A78FA295092"><enum>3.</enum><header>Common varieties
of mineral materials</header>
<subsection id="id0950E39CBF9E44DD952D7059F46F223D"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>No
deposit</text>
</subsection></section><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H9D9AD07F5AC749B396FA8C9E9945724F"><enum>(2)</enum><text>in the first
sentence—</text>
<subparagraph id="id6457FC51C6CA437FBECDFB4033402BA0"><enum>(A)</enum><text>by inserting
<quote>mineral materials, including</quote> after <quote>varieties of</quote>;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H7503CC4E5A114919A9208C54FE60003E"><enum>(B)</enum><text>by striking
<quote>or cinders</quote> and inserting <quote>cinders, and clay</quote>;
and</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id9881C37361AD4491B9E9F8F57873746D"><enum>(3)</enum><text>by striking
<quote><term>Common varieties</term> as used in this Act does not</quote> and
inserting the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1E5F023C331C4AD8B8A47CE96D598F09" style="OLC">
<subsection id="id2750F8D6D8874F848F8D1C51B0643979"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Definitions</header><text>In
this Act:</text>
<paragraph id="idE527C008513148D49468617A534B33D0"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Common
varieties</header><text>The term <term>common varieties</term> does
not</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>;</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id5B869D37E9454D4DB73DF0FD3CE45A9B"><enum>(4)</enum><text>by striking
<quote><term>Petrified wood</term> as used in this Act means</quote> and
inserting the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id99B9BCE97EF64CA89BEC3AD1FB686FE6" style="OLC">
<paragraph id="id48C4CA4226BC47DE8B16C126CC74425E"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Petrified
wood</header><text>The term <term>petrified wood</term>
means</text>
</paragraph><after-quoted-block>;
and</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph><paragraph id="H07AEA545D8424F68A691E8ED5296121C"><enum>(5)</enum><text>by inserting after
subsection (a) the following:</text>
<quoted-block display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idF3E95F198DD34AC2AEDD670ADB45DE44" style="OLC">
<subsection id="id919933FF295A43FDB5ACFD691D1CD56F"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Disposal of
mineral materials</header>
<paragraph id="H43CE68FC066B4A96ADE8F087B6980906"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Definition of
valid existing rights</header><text>In this subsection, the term <term>valid
existing rights</term> means rights to a mining claim located for any mineral
material that—</text>
<subparagraph id="HFE4ABF01E56B4657B1B581E500122969"><enum>(A)</enum><text>had and still has
some property giving mineral material the distinct and special value referred
to in this section or, as the case may be, met the definition of block pumice
referred to in subsection (c)(1);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H345BC5B672F349719BB4B6C7B117BF49"><enum>(B)</enum><text>was properly
located and maintained under the general mining laws prior to the date of
enactment of this subsection;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="H10AEC0343C874EFEA9C96B4FCEE5A2CB"><enum>(C)</enum><text>was supported by a
discovery of a valuable mineral deposit within the meaning of the general
mining laws as in effect immediately prior to the date of enactment of this
subsection; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="H91A55CA86F084FDCA6F7DA439974961"><enum>(D)</enum><text>continues to be
valid under this Act.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph id="id274238B07DBD49DBA67E64D29FB7E43B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Disposal</header><text>Subject
to valid existing rights, effective beginning on the date of enactment of this
subsection, notwithstanding the references to the term common varieties in this
section and to the exception to the term relating to a deposit of materials
with some property giving it distinct and special value, all deposits of
mineral materials referred to in this section (including the block pumice
referred to in subsection (c)(1)) shall be subject to disposal only under the
terms and conditions of the Act of July 31, 1947 (commonly known as the
<quote>Materials Act of 1947</quote>) (30 U.S.C. 601 et
seq.).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><after-quoted-block>.</after-quoted-block></quoted-block>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="HAA20A117B8A2483E9DBB161CB5AD7DA9"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Conforming
amendment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The first section
of the Act of July 31, 1947 (commonly known as the <quote>Materials Act of
1947</quote>) (30 U.S.C. 601), is amended in the first sentence by striking
<quote>common varieties of</quote>.</text>
</subsection></section><section id="id6489B698CA3844E19EA03E687EC05985"><enum>505.</enum><header>Review of
uranium development on Federal land</header>
<subsection id="id319DAFCAA25E4019AE4DDBFF860DBF99"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Definition of
Federal land</header><text>In this section, the term <term>Federal land</term>
means land administered by the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of
Agriculture.</text>
</subsection><subsection id="IDcb2b76ef629c4d87a7d3c64364c1e4d2"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Review</header>
<paragraph id="ID3323f9f3c9bd41658f065d4f0ffd5767"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the Secretary of the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of
Agriculture, shall enter into an arrangement under which the National Academy
of Sciences shall conduct a study of uranium development on Federal
land.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDd53ba163203e45eaafd9796139d6a4b1"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Matters to be
addressed</header><text>The study shall describe and analyze—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID3e114969c3034999bddee2a90312ad58"><enum>(A)</enum><text>the laws
applicable to the development of uranium on Federal land and the agencies
responsible for administering and enforcing those laws;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDd22b2ab16f67484a9d48a871471aae5e"><enum>(B)</enum><text>the requirements
relating to the development of uranium under sections 2318 through 2352 of the
Revised Statutes (commonly known and referred to in this section as the
<quote>Mining Law of 1872</quote>) (30 U.S.C. 21 et seq.);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID84eb76b997e645d4a3c029659045656f"><enum>(C)</enum><text>the requirements
relating to the development of uranium under the
<act-name parsable-cite="AEA54">Atomic Energy Act of 1954</act-name> (42 U.S.C.
2011 et seq.);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDd0a896e149634ca4b674202143987e0e"><enum>(D)</enum><text>the uranium
leasing program administered by the Department of Energy under that Act;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID281a8ef6351a484683277e0e857ffce1"><enum>(E)</enum><text>the requirements
relating to the approval of uranium in-situ leasing recovery and the licensing
process required by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="IDcdae1a4888a240f29a5eaf815d4c95ed"><enum>(F)</enum><text>the efficacy of
bonds or other forms of financial surety in ensuring the reclamation of Federal
land and associated waters impacted by the development of uranium; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID0a321dc60a70426d8bf9c4a9b1dcf9e1"><enum>(G)</enum><text>the efficacy of
Federal law in protecting public health and safety and the environment from
impacts due to the development of uranium on Federal land.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID8c89d688161b42d4b8fea2c17aceb6b0"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Recommendations</header><text>The
study shall—</text>
<paragraph id="ID415f5b006c204c34bb30c8cf9bd1209f"><enum>(1)</enum><text>analyze the
effectiveness of current Federal requirements applicable to the exploration,
development, and production of uranium on Federal land in allowing for the
production of uranium while ensuring protection of public health and safety and
the environment; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID79d8afd0736b41ea99cb9895cbe74f2d"><enum>(2)</enum><text>make
recommendations as to changes, if any, to Federal law (including regulations)
and agency procedures relating to the development of uranium resources on
Federal land to allow for the production of uranium while ensuring protection
of public health and safety and the environment, including specific
recommendations on whether—</text>
<subparagraph id="ID0c5cad91329441789fb7506dc1d2d9f8"><enum>(A)</enum><text>future
development of uranium on Federal land should be—</text>
<clause id="id12C7DC77933D46B7868D5479988D615E"><enum>(i)</enum><text>removed from
operation of the Mining Law of 1872; and</text>
</clause><clause id="id1629C60C8A3B407187EEC68D2FF9FED8"><enum>(ii)</enum><text>subject to
leasing;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID6b836b264b7c406aacbae30924deb0b3"><enum>(B)</enum><text>additional
requirements (including additional financial assurances or fees) should be
applicable to ensure reclamation of uranium mine sites, including abandoned
uranium mine sites; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="ID038a2fefd07b4f99a2b1479d9b83a0f3"><enum>(C)</enum><text>whether
additional land should be withdrawn from location and entry of uranium mining
claims by the Secretary of the Interior.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID4e8a0b06ed6045c1b1b0cba7ca0a3363"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Completion of
study</header><text>The National Academy of Sciences shall—</text>
<paragraph id="IDafdc0c05ef8a423bab5ef663ccec0461"><enum>(1)</enum><text>not later than 18
months after the date of enactment of this Act, submit the findings and
recommendations of the study to the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary
of Agriculture; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="IDab70b94ebfd244aeac9e87e774e7b2a3"><enum>(2)</enum><text>on completion of
the study, make the results of the study available to the public.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="ID3f5b3f9ddc464264826d68e83dbcef14"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Report</header><text>Not
later than 180 days after receiving the results of the study, the Secretary of
the Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall submit
to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the
Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report
on—</text>
<paragraph id="ID6f0e545d4c504cc1ab151c9b780a2247"><enum>(1)</enum><text>the findings and
recommendations of the study;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID2532f5885b4a4381b6746231aa1c7309"><enum>(2)</enum><text>the agreement or
disagreement of the Secretaries with each of the findings and recommendations
of the study; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="ID0687d242b33a46b58b0c6f11a0dbda31"><enum>(3)</enum><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="yes-display-inline" id="id274780F223814ACAB675D2CBC052F27C"><enum>(A)</enum><text>a plan and time frame
for implementing those recommendations of the study that do not require
legislation; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph id="id7FCE6F9C1350411F800A045781E5D261" indent="up1"><enum>(B)</enum><text>if the Secretary declines to implement
a recommendation, the justification for declining to implement the
recommendation.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection></section><section id="id62147163D1AE4F5BB3AE6872892C3521"><enum>506.</enum><header>Effect</header>
<subsection id="idBACA960836D14B308F2720CB51939353"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Special
application of general mining laws</header>
<paragraph id="id8374587945BD4C17B4BFDFF12C2EF1DA"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nothing in this Act
repeals or modifies any Federal law (including regulations), order, or land use
plan in effect before the date of enactment of this Act that prohibits or
restricts the application of the general mining laws, including laws that
provide for special management criteria for operations under the general mining
laws as in effect before the date of enactment of this Act, and laws that
provide protections of natural and cultural resources and the environment that
are equal to or greater than the protections required under this Act</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id04F99EF465E544629713142C4243C0E5"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Existing
laws</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any law described in
paragraph (1) shall remain in force and effect with respect to claims and sites
located or proposed to be located under this Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id0F727B8017C0479884D5D7DBFC4E5598"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Mineral
investigations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nothing in
this Act applies to or limits mineral investigations, studies, or other mineral
activities conducted by any Federal or State agency acting in a governmental
capacity under other authorities.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="idB74ADAE9EA9A4273B83E2E15A023BA5E"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Environmental
laws</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nothing in this Act
affects or limits any assessment, investigation, evaluation, or listing
under—</text>
<paragraph id="id45D78AE4791845EAAAE4D1BD116D93E0"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.); or</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id1EF44AE5D99B453CA39E223EAA9EAC84"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Solid Waste Disposal Act
(<external-xref legal-doc="usc" parsable-cite="usc/42/3251">42 U.S.C. 3251 et
seq.</external-xref>).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection id="H4C0707055C12446B918E1900C549A682"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Effect on
general mining laws</header>
<paragraph id="id99B4D40C736F42FF8AC27D6B27AAB6FE"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text>This Act supersedes the general mining laws, except for
the provisions of the general mining laws relating to the location of mining
claims that are not expressly modified by this Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph id="id4B37DA71627C4F3AAD796353DA038993"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text>Nothing
in this Act supersedes, modifies, amends, or repeals any provision of Federal
law not expressly superseded, modified, amended, or repealed by this Act, other
than the general mining laws.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section>