[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 106 (Monday, June 3, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38203-38206]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-13567]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Land Management

43 CFR Parts 3730, 3820, 3830, and 3850

[WO-620-1430-00-24 1A]
RIN 1004-AD52


Locating, Recording, and Maintaining Mining Claims or Sites

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Interior.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is promulgating this final 
rule to amend regulations on locating, recording, and maintaining 
mining claims or sites. In this rule, BLM amends its regulations to 
respond to a recent law extending until September 30, 2003, the 
provisions that require claimants to pay location and annual 
maintenance fees for unpatented mining claims or sites, and allow 
qualified ``small miners'' to seek a waiver from the annual maintenance 
fee. BLM has collected these fees and provided for waivers under the 
existing regulations based on previous laws, the most recent of which 
expired on September 30, 2001. The final rule is necessary to describe 
and publicize the statutory extension of the fee requirement, and to 
remove conflicts between the current regulations and the new statute.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This administrative final rule is effective June 3, 
2002.

ADDRESSES: You may mail suggestions or inquiries to Bureau of Land 
Management, Solid Minerals Group, Room 501 LS, 1849 C Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger Haskins in the Solid Minerals 
Group at (202) 452-0355. For assistance in reaching Mr. Haskins, 
persons who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call 
the Federal Information Relay Service at 1-(800) 877-8339, 24 hours a 
day, 7 days a week.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

    I. Background
    II. Discussion of the Administrative Final Rule
    III. Procedural Matters


[[Page 38204]]



I. Background

    Since 1992, Congress has required mining claimants to pay certain 
fees when locating, recording, and maintaining mining claims or sites 
on public lands. In order to collect the fees, BLM has promulgated 
regulations to implement the statutory fee requirements.
    On October 5, 1992, Congress enacted the first fee requirements in 
the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 
1993 (the FY93 Act). Public Law 102-381, 106 Stat. 1374, 1378-1379. The 
FY93 Act required claimants to pay two $100 rental fee payments per 
mining claim or site by August 31, 1993, in order to hold the claim for 
the 1992 and 1993 assessment years. It allowed certain claimants to 
seek an exemption from the fee requirement if the claimant held ten or 
fewer claims or sites, had an approved notice or plan of operations for 
actual exploration work or mineral production, and had less than ten 
acres of unreclaimed surface disturbance. BLM implemented the FY93 Act 
by promulgating regulations at 43 CFR parts 3730, 3821, 3833, and 3850 
(1993). 58 FR 38197 (July 15, 1993).
    On August 10, 1993, Congress enacted the Omnibus Budget 
Reconciliation Act (the FY94 Act). Public Law 103-66, 107 Stat. 405, 30 
U.S.C. 28f-k. The FY94 Act required claimants to pay an annual $100 
maintenance fee by August 31 of each year beginning in 1994 and ending 
in 1998. The FY94 Act also required claimants to pay a $25 fee when 
locating any new mining claims. The FY94 Act allowed claimants to seek 
a waiver from the maintenance fee if the claimant and all related 
parties held ten or fewer mining claims or sites. To implement the FY94 
Act, BLM amended 43 CFR parts 3730, 3821, 3833, and 3850 (1994). 59 FR 
44857 (August 30, 1994).
    On October 21, 1998, Congress enacted the Interior and Related 
Agencies Appropriation Act for Fiscal Year 1999 (the FY99 Act). Public 
Law 105-277, 112 Stat. 2681-232, 2681-235, 30 U.S.C. 28f-28k. The FY99 
Act moved the payment deadline from August 31 to September 1 and 
extended the fee requirements until 2001. The Act also provided a means 
by which a claimant who had filed for a waiver from the fee could 
either cure a defective fee waiver application or pay the fee after the 
deadline if the application could not be cured.
    On November 5, 2001, Congress enacted the Interior and Related 
Agencies Appropriation Act for Fiscal Year 2002 (the FY02 Act). Public 
Law 107-63, 115 Stat. 414, 30 U.S.C. 28f-28k. This final rule 
implements the requirements of the FY02 Act. The FY02 Act extends the 
fee requirements through 2003.

II. Discussion of the Final Rule

Why the Rule Is Being Published as a Final Rule

    BLM is adopting this final rule solely to amend its regulations to 
implement the mining law fee provisions of the FY02 Act. We are not 
making any other changes in this rule.
    The Department of the Interior finds under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B) 
that for good cause notice and public procedure for this rule are 
unnecessary and this rule may properly take effect upon publication. 
The FY02 Act merely extends previously-existing fee requirements until 
2003. This rule will implement this statutory fee extension as Congress 
requires.
    We also determine under 5 U.S.C. 553(d) that there is good cause to 
place the rule into effect on the date of publication because the 
matters addressed in the rule are explicitly required by statute.

Changes Made by the FY02 Act in BLM's Current Requirements

    The FY02 Act does not change the requirements that mining claimants 
(1) pay $25 when locating a new mining claim or site; (2) pay a $100 
maintenance fee per year for each mining claim or site; or (3) meet 
certain qualifications in order to obtain a waiver from the maintenance 
fee requirement. BLM collected these fees under its current regulations 
but was authorized to do so only until September 30, 2001. In the FY02 
Act, Congress authorized BLM to continue to collect these fees until 
September 30, 2003. This rule implements this extension.

Organization of the Final Rule

    This final rule amends the existing regulations. It contains only 
the specific amendments necessary to implement the FY02 Act. Most of 
the amendments appear as line-by-line edits. While this presentation 
may be somewhat difficult to follow, especially if you do not have the 
Code of Federal Regulations containing the existing regulations, we 
have chosen this method to make it clear that we are not making changes 
beyond those needed to implement the FY02 Act.
    The only change we have made in these line-by-line edits is to 
change the expiration date of the regulations from 2001 to 2003.

III. Procedural Matters

Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review

    In accordance with the criteria in Executive Order 12866, the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has determined that this rule is 
not a significant regulatory action.
    [sbull] The rule will not have an annual effect on the economy of 
$100 million or more or adversely affect in a material way the economy, 
a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the 
environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal 
governments or communities. The extensions of the fee requirements do 
not change the substance of BLM's current mining claim administration. 
The annual revenue received from the collection of the congressionally-
mandated oil shale, maintenance, and location fees has averaged $26 
million since October 1998. This rule will not change the fee amounts 
and thus will not have a significant impact on fees collected.
    [sbull] This rule will not create inconsistencies with other 
agencies' actions. It does not change BLM's relationship with other 
agencies and their actions.
    [sbull] This rule will not materially affect entitlements, grants, 
loan programs, or the rights and obligations of their recipients. The 
rule does not address any of these programs.
    [sbull] This rule will not raise novel legal or policy issues 
because it makes no major substantive changes in the regulations. The 
constitutionality of the rental and maintenance fees has been 
challenged in the Federal courts. The Courts have consistently upheld 
the FY03 and FY04 Acts and their implementing regulations.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    We certify that this rule will not have a significant economic 
effect on a substantial number of small entities as defined under the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) The rule will not 
have an impact because the fees paid by small entities will not change. 
The rule merely extends the authority for collecting them. A final 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is not required, and a Small Entity 
Compliance Guide is not required.
    For the purposes of this section a ``small entity'' is an 
individual, limited partnership, or small company, at ``arm's length'' 
from the control of any parent companies, with fewer than 500 employees 
or less than $5 million in revenue. This definition accords with

[[Page 38205]]

Small Business Administration regulations at 13 CFR 121.201.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act

    This rule is not a major rule under 5 U.S.C. 804(2), the Small 
Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. This rule:
    [sbull] Does not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 
million or more. As explained in section 1 above, the revised 
regulations will not materially alter current BLM policy or the fee 
amounts paid by mining claimants.
    [sbull] Will not cause a major increase in costs or prices for 
consumers, individual industries, Federal, State, or local government 
agencies, or geographic regions. This rule does not change the cost to 
locate, record, or maintain a mining claim.
    [sbull] Does not have significant adverse effects on competition, 
employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of 
U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    In accordance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (2 U.S.C. 1501 
et seq.):
    [sbull] This rule will not ``significantly or uniquely'' affect 
small governments. A Small Government Agency Plan is unnecessary.
    [sbull] This rule will not produce a Federal mandate of $100 
million or greater in any year. It is not a ``significant regulatory 
action'' under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. The changes 
implemented in this rule do not require anything of any non-Federal 
governmental entity.

Executive Order 12630, Takings

    In accordance with Executive Order 12630, the rule does not have 
takings implications. A takings implication assessment is not required. 
This rule does not substantially change BLM policy. Nothing in this 
rule constitutes a taking. Federal courts have concluded that the 
rental and maintenance fee statutes and regulations do not cause a 
taking of any property interests.

Executive Order 12612, Federalism

    In accordance with Executive Order 12612, BLM finds that the rule 
does not have significant federalism effects. A federalism assessment 
is not required. This rule does not change the role or responsibilities 
between Federal, State, and local governmental entities, nor does it 
relate to the structure and role of States or have direct, substantive, 
or significant effects on States.

Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform

    In accordance with Executive Order 12988, BLM finds that the rule 
does not unduly burden the judicial system and therefore meets the 
requirements of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of the Order.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information 
collection requirements in the regulations that this administrative 
final rule is extending, under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq., and has assigned clearance number 1004-0114.

National Environmental Policy Act

    We have analyzed this rule in accordance with the criteria of the 
National Environmental Policy Act and 318 DM 2.2(g) and 6.3(D). Since 
the rule only extends BLM's authority to collect certain fees, this 
rule does not constitute a major Federal action significantly affecting 
the quality of the human environment. See the Environmental Analysis 
and Finding of No Significant Impact dated April 17, 2002.
    Because this rule does not substantially change BLM's overall 
management objectives or environmental compliance requirements, it 
would have no impact on, or only marginally affect, the following 
critical elements of the human environment as defined in Appendix 5 of 
the BLM National Environmental Policy Act Handbook (H-1790-1): air 
quality, areas of critical environmental concern, cultural resources, 
Native American religious concerns, threatened or endangered species, 
hazardous or solid waste, water quality, prime and unique farmlands, 
wetlands, riparian zones, wild and scenic rivers, environmental 
justice, and wilderness.

Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination With Indian Tribal 
Governments

    In accordance with Executive Order 13175, we have considered the 
impact of this rule on the interests of Tribal governments. Because 
this rule does not specifically involve Indian reservation lands, 
government-to-government relationships will remain unaffected.

Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use

    This rule is not a significant energy action. It will not have an 
adverse effect on energy supplies. To the extent that the rule affects 
the mining of energy minerals (i.e., uranium and other fissionable 
metals), the rule only extends BLM's statutory authority for collecting 
mining claim location and maintenance fees that BLM has been collecting 
for many years. It will not change financial obligations of the mining 
industry.

Authors

    The principal author of this administrative final rule is Roger 
Haskins in the Solid Minerals Group, assisted by Ted Hudson in the 
Regulatory Affairs Group, Washington Office, BLM.

List of Subjects

43 CFR Part 3730

    Administrative practice and procedure; mines; public lands-mineral 
resources; reporting and recordkeeping requirements; surety bonds.

43 CFR Part 3820

    Mines; monuments and memorials; national forests; national parks; 
public lands-mineral resources; reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements; surety bonds; wilderness areas.

43 CFR Part 3830

    Maintenance fees; mines; public lands-mineral resources; reporting 
and recordkeeping requirements.

43 CFR Part 3850

    Mines; public lands-mineral resources.

    Dated: April 24, 2002.
Tom Fulton,
Acting Assistant Secretary of the Interior.


    For the reasons stated in the preamble, and under the authorities 
cited below, parts 3730, 3820, 3830, and 3850, Groups 3700 and 3800, 
Subchapter C, Chapter II of Title 43 of the Code of Federal Regulations 
are amended as follows:

PART 3730--PUBLIC LAW 359; MINING IN POWERSITE WITHDRAWALS: GENERAL

    1. The authority citation for part 3730 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 69 Stat. 681, 30 U.S.C. 621-625; 43 U.S.C. 1701 et 
seq.; 30 U.S.C. 28f-28k, as amended.


    2. Amend section 3730.0-9 by revising the last sentence of 
paragraph (a) to read as follows:


[sect] 3730.0-9  Information collection.

    (a) * * * A response is required to obtain a benefit in accordance 
with the Act of August 11, 1955 (30 U.S.C. 621-625), Section 314 of the 
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as

[[Page 38206]]

amended (43 U.S.C. 1744), and 30 U.S.C. 28f-28k, as amended by the Act 
of November 5, 2001 (115 Stat. 414).
* * * * *

PART 3820--AREAS SUBJECT TO SPECIAL MINING LAWS

    3. The authority citation for part 3820 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 30 U.S.C. 22 et seq.; 43 U.S.C. 1201 and 1740.

Subpart 3821--O and C Lands

    4. Revise section 3821.0-3 to read as follows:


[sect] 3821.0-3  Authority.

    The authorities for the regulations in this subpart are the Act of 
April 8, 1948 (62 Stat. 162); Section 314 of the Federal Land Policy 
and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1744); and 30 U.S.C. 28f-28k, as 
amended by the Act of November 5, 2001 (115 Stat. 414).

PART 3830--LOCATION OF MINING CLAIMS

    5. The authority citation for part 3830 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 30 U.S.C. 22, 28, and 28f-k; 43 U.S.C. 299 and 1201; 
31 U.S.C. 9701; 16 U.S.C. 1901, 1907; 43 U.S.C. 1740 and 1744; 30 
U.S.C. 242; 50 U.S.C. Appendix 565; 112 Stat. 2861-235; 115 Stat 
414.

    6. Amend section 3833.0-3 by revising the first sentence of 
paragraph (a) and the first sentence of paragraph (e) to read as 
follows:


[sect] 3833.0-3  Authority.

    (a) Sections 314(a) and (b) of the Federal Land Policy and 
Management Act (43 U.S.C. 1744), and 30 U.S.C. 28f-28k, as amended by 
the Act of November 5, 2001 (115 Stat. 414), require the recordation of 
unpatented mining claims, mill sites, and tunnel sites, and the filing 
of information concerning annual assessment work performed on 
unpatented mining claims in the proper BLM office within specified time 
periods. * * *
* * * * *
    (e) The Acts of October 21, 1998 (112 Stat. 2681-232, 2681-235), 
and November 5, 2001 (115 Stat. 414) (30 U.S.C. 28f-28k), require an 
annual maintenance fee of $100 to be paid to the proper State Office of 
the Bureau of Land Management for each non-waived mining claim, mill 
site, or tunnel site. * * *
* * * * *


[sect] 3833.0-5  [Amended]

    7. Amend section 3833.0-5 as follows:
    a. Remove from the second sentence of paragraph (o) the phrases 
``December 30, 2002,'' and ``the Act of October 21, 1998,'' and add in 
their place, respectively, the phrases ``December 30, 2004,'' and ``the 
Act of November 5, 2001,''.
    b. Remove from the first sentence of paragraph (v) the phrase ``Act 
of October 21, 1998 (112 Stat. 2681-235)'' and add in its place the 
phrase ``Act of November 5, 2001 (115 Stat. 414)'';
    c. Remove from the second sentence of paragraph (v) the phrase 
``September 29, 2001'' and add in its place the phrase ``September 29, 
2003'';
    d. Remove from the first sentence of paragraph (w) the phrases 
``Act of October 21, 1998,'' and ``September 30, 2001,'' and add in 
their place, respectively, the phrases ``Act of November 5, 2001,'' and 
``September 30, 2003,''; and
    e. Remove from the first sentence of paragraph (y) the phrase ``the 
Act of October 21, 1998,'' and add in its place the phrase ``the Act of 
November 5, 2001.''


[sect] 3833.0-9  [Amended]

    8. Amend section 3833.0-9 by removing from the last sentence of 
paragraph (a) the phrase ``the Act of October 21, 1998 (112 Stat. 2681-
235)'' and adding in its place the phrase ``the Act of November 5, 2001 
(115 Stat. 414).''


[sect] 3833.1-4  [Amended]

    9. Amend section 3833.1-4 by removing from paragraph (b) the phrase 
``September 30, 2001'' and adding in its place the phrase ``September 
30, 2003.''


[sect] 3833.1-5  [Amended]

    10. Amend section 3833.1-5 as follows:
    a. Remove from the last sentence of the introductory text the date 
``September 1, 2002'' and add in its place the date ``September 1, 
2004,''.
    b. Remove from the second sentence of paragraph (b) the date 
``2001'' and add in its place the date ``2003''.


[sect] 3833.1-6  [Amended]

    11. Amend section 3833.1-6 by revising the heading to read as 
follows:


[sect] 3833.1-6  Maintenance fee waiver qualifications under the Act of 
November 5, 2001, and other exceptions.


[sect] 3833.1-7  [Amended]

    12. Amend section 3833.1-7 by removing from paragraph (d) the date 
``2002'' and adding in its place the date ``2004''.


[sect] 3833.2-3  [Amended]

    13. Amend section 3833.2-3 as follows:
    a. Remove from the section heading the phrase ``the Act of October 
21, 1998'' and add in its place the phrase ``the Act of November 5, 
2001'';
    b. Remove from paragraph (d) the phrases ``September 1, 2002,'' and 
``December 30, 2003,'' and add in their place, respectively, the 
phrases ``September 1, 2004,'' and ``December 30, 2005''; and
    c. Remove from paragraph (e) the phrases ``September 1, 2001'', 
``September 29, 2001'', and ``September 1, 2002'', and add in their 
place, respectively, the phrases ``September 1, 2003'', ``September 29, 
2003'', and ``September 1, 2004''.

PART 3850--ASSESSMENT WORK

    14. The authority citation for part 3850 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 30 U.S.C. 22 et seq.; 30 U.S.C. 28-28k; 50 U.S.C. 
Appendix 565; 107 Stat. 405.

Subpart 3851--Assessment Work: General


[sect] 3851.3  [Amended]

    15. Amend section 3851.3 by removing from the first sentence of 
paragraph (c) the first instance of the word ``the''.
[FR Doc. 02-13567 Filed 5-31-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-P