§ 3150. — Alaska mineral resource assessment 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: 16USC3150]
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. 3150. Alaska mineral resource assessment program
(a) Mineral assessments
The Secretary shall, to the full extent of his authority, assess the
oil, gas, and other mineral potential on all public lands in the State
of Alaska in order to expand the data base with respect to the mineral
potential of such lands. The mineral assessment program may include, but
shall not be limited to, techniques such as side-looking radar imagery
and, on public lands other than such lands within the national park
system, core and test drilling for geologic information, notwithstanding
any restriction on such drilling under the Wilderness Act [16 U.S.C.
1131 et seq.]. For purposes of this Act, core and test drilling means
the extraction by drilling of subsurface geologic samples in order to
assess the metalliferous or other mineral values of geologic terrain,
but shall not be construed as including exploratory drilling of oil and
gas test wells. To the maximum extent practicable, the Secretary shall
consult and exchange information with the State of Alaska regarding the
responsibilities of the Secretary under this section and similar
programs undertaken by the State. In order to carry out mineral
assessments authorized under this or any other law, including but not
limited to the National Uranium Resource Evaluation program, the
Secretary shall allow for access by air for assessment activities
permitted in this subsection to all public lands involved in such study.
He shall consult with the Secretary of Energy and heads of other Federal
agencies carrying out such programs, to determine such reasonable
requirements as may be necessary to protect the resources of such area,
including fish and wildlife. Such requirements may provide that access
will not occur during nesting, calving, spawning or such other times as
fish and wildlife in the specific area may be especially vulnerable to
such activities. The Secretary is authorized to enter into contracts
with public or private entities to carry out all or any portion of the
mineral assessment program. This section shall not apply to the lands
described in section 3141 of this title.
(b) Regulations
Activities carried out in conservation system units under subsection
(a) of this section shall be subject to regulations promulgated by the
Secretary. Such regulations shall ensure that such activities are
carried out in an environmentally sound manner--
(1) which does not result in lasting environmental impacts which
appreciably alter the natural character of the units or biological
or ecological systems in the units; and
(2) which is compatible with the purposes for which such units
are established.
(Pub. L. 96-487, title X, Sec. 1010, Dec. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 2456.)
References in Text
The Wilderness Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is Pub. L. 88-577,
Sept. 3, 1964, 78 Stat. 890, as amended, which is classified generally
to chapter 23 (Sec. 1131 et seq.) of this title. For complete
classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out
under section 1131 of this title and Tables.
This Act, referred to in subsec. (a), 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.
