§ 3141. — Overall study program.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 16USC3141]
TITLE 16--CONSERVATION
CHAPTER 51--ALASKA NATIONAL INTEREST LANDS CONSERVATION
SUBCHAPTER III--FEDERAL NORTH SLOPE LANDS STUDIES, OIL AND GAS LEASING
PROGRAM AND MINERAL ASSESSMENTS
Sec. 3141. Overall study program
(a) Area designated
The Secretary shall initiate and carry out a study of all Federal
lands (other than submerged lands on the Outer Continental Shelf) in
Alaska north of 68 degrees north latitude and east of the western
boundary of the National Petroleum Reserve--Alaska, other than lands
included in the National Petroleum Reserve--Alaska and in conservation
system units established by this Act.
(b) Purposes
The study shall utilize a systematic interdisciplinary approach to--
(1) assess the potential oil and gas resources of these lands
and make recommendations concerning future use and management of
those resources including an evaluation of alternative
transportation routes needed for oil and gas development;
(2) review the wilderness characteristics, and make
recommendations for wilderness designation, of these lands; and
(3) study, and make recommendations for protection of, the
wildlife resources of these lands.
(c) Findings
After completion of the study, the Secretary shall make findings
on--
(1) the potential oil and gas resources of these lands;
(2) the impact of oil and gas development on the wildlife
resources on these lands, particularly the Arctic and Porcupine
caribou herds and the polar bear;
(3) the national need for development of the oil and gas
resources of all or any portion of these lands;
(4) the national interests in preservation of the wilderness
characteristics of these lands; and
(5) the national interest in protection of the wildlife
resources of these lands.
(d) Consultations; opportunity for public review and comment
In the course of the study, the Secretary shall consult with the
Secretary of Energy and other Federal agencies, the State of Alaska,
Native Village and Regional Corporations, the North Slope Borough, the
Alaska Land Use Council and the Government of Canada. The Secretary
shall provide an opportunity for public review and comment on a draft
study and proposed findings prior to their final approval.
(e) Report to President and Congress; annual report to Congress
The Secretary shall submit the study and his findings to the
President and the Congress no later than eight years after December 2,
1980. The Secretary shall submit annual reports to Congress on the
progress in carrying out this subchapter.
(f) Selection and conveyance of land by State and Natives unaffected
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed as impeding, delaying,
or otherwise affecting the selection and conveyance of land to the State
pursuant to the Alaska Statehood Act, or any other Federal law referred
to in section 3102(3)(A) of this title, and to the Natives pursuant to
the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act [43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.] and
this Act.
(Pub. L. 96-487, title X, Sec. 1001, Dec. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 2448.)
References in Text
This Act, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (f), is Pub. L. 96-487,
Dec. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 2371, as amended, known as the Alaska National
Interest Lands Conservation Act. For complete classification of this Act
to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 3101 of this
title and Tables.
The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, referred to in subsec. (f),
is Pub. L. 92-203, Dec. 18, 1971, 85 Stat. 688, as amended, which is
classified generally to chapter 33 (Sec. 1601 et seq.) of Title 43,
Public Lands. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title note set out under section 1601 of Title 43 and Tables.
The Alaska Statehood Act, referred to in subsec. (f), is Pub. L. 85-
508, July 7, 1958, 72 Stat. 339, as amended, which is set out as a note
preceding section 21 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.
For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in sections 3144, 3148, 3150 of this
title.