§ 3149. — Oil and gas lease applications.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 16USC3149]
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. 3149. Oil and gas lease applications
(a) Lands within National Wildlife Refuge System but not part of
National Wilderness Preservation System
Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation, whenever
the Secretary receives an application for an oil and gas lease pursuant
to the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 [30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.] for lands in
Alaska within a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System which are
not also part of the national Wilderness Preservation System he shall,
in addition to any other requirements of applicable law, follow the
procedures set forth in this section.
(b) Statement of reasons for decision to issue or not to issue lease
Any decision to issue or not to issue a lease shall be accompanied
by a statement setting forth the reasons for the decision, including the
reasons why oil and gas leasing would be compatible or incompatible with
the purposes of the refuge.
(c) Environmental impact statement
If the Secretary determines that the requirements of section
4332(2)(C) of title 42 do not apply to his decision, the Secretary shall
render his decision within six months after receipt of a lease
application. If such requirements are applicable to the Secretary's
decision, he shall render his decision within three months after
publication of the final environmental impact statement.
(Pub. L. 96-487, title X, Sec. 1009, Dec. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 2456.)
References in Text
The Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, referred to in subsec. (a), is act
Feb. 25, 1920, ch. 85, 41 Stat. 437, as amended, known as the Mineral
Leasing Act, which is classified generally to chapter 3A (Sec. 181 et
seq.) of Title 30, Mineral Lands and Mining. For complete classification
of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 181
of Title 30 and Tables.
