II 112th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3330 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 21, 2012 Ms. Murkowski (for herself and Mr. Begich) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To authorize the establishment of a Niblack mining area road corridor in the State of Alaska, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Niblack Mining Area Road Authorization Act.

2.

Niblack mining area road corridor

(a)

Establishment

Notwithstanding any prohibition against road construction in inventoried roadless areas under the Roadless Area Conservation Rule established under part 294 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations (and successor regulations), not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service, shall establish a road corridor that follows 1 of the 2 routes identified as Niblack Route 1 or Niblack Route 2 on the map entitled Road to Niblack Mine, numbered 1, and dated June 21, 2012, to connect the Prince of Wales Island road system in the State of Alaska to the area of the Niblack patented mineral claims on the southeast side of Prince of Wales Island. (b)

Requirements

A road corridor established under subsection (a) shall— (1)minimize the economic costs of the road corridor by using, to the maximum extent practicable, the road network in existence on the date of the establishment; (2)minimize effects of the road corridor on surface resources; (3)prevent unnecessary or unreasonable surface disturbance; and (4)comply with all applicable laws (including regulations). (c)

Cooperating agencies

The State of Alaska and the Prince of Wales Community Advisory Council may participate as cooperating agencies during the preparation of any environmental impact statement prepared with respect to the road corridor under subsection (a). (d)

Federal permits

It is the intent of Congress that any Federal permit required for construction of the road corridor established under subsection (a) be issued or denied by the date that is not later than 1 year after the date of application for the permit.