Appraisal Procedure.—

Sec. 121. Appraisal Procedure.— (a) Holders of unpatented mining claims subject to the injunction issued in Northern Alaska Environmental Center v. Hodel, Civil Case J–85–009, U.S. District Court, (District of Alaska) may apply to the Department of the Interior for a validity determination. The validity determination shall be conducted jointly by the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management within two years of application, subject to the availability of appropriated funds. Upon completion of the validity determination, copies of the final written report, reviewed and approved by the Bureau of Land Management, shall be provided to the claimant. (b) Upon receipt by the National Park Service of (1) a finding of validity pursuant to subsection (a), or evidence of a valid patent, and (2) an offer of sale of said mining claims, the National Park Service shall commence the appraisal process pursuant to subsection (c). (c) Upon fulfillment of the requirements of subsection (b), a panel of three persons shall be selected pursuant to the procedures of the American Arbitration Association. The panel shall consist of an attorney familiar with mining law, a registered professional mining engineer/geologist familiar with mineral appraisal and methods of production for the type of claim in question, and in the case of patented mining claims an appraiser qualified to perform surface estate appraisals. The appraisal shall be completed within one year of the date the panel is selected. Nothing in this subsection shall require the conduct of a new appraisal for lands or claims for which a valid current government appraisal already exists. 104 STAT. 1938 (d) Within six months of completion of the appraisal process for a mining claim under subsection (c), the National Park Service shall, subject to the availability of appropriated funds, or as soon thereafter as funds become available, make an offer to the claimant to purchase said claim for the appraised value. The claimant shall have six months to accept or reject the offer.