Pub. L. 105-277, div. A, tit. I, sec. 120

Sec. 120. (a) Study.—The Secretary shall enter into an agreement with and provide funding, to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), the Board on Earth Sciences and Resources (Board), to conduct a detailed, comprehensive study of the environmental and reclamation requirements relating to mining of locatable minerals on federal lands and the adequacy of those requirements to prevent unnecessary or undue degradation of federal lands in each state in which such mining occurs. (1) Contents.—The study shall identify and consider— (A) the operating, reclamation and permitting requirements for locatable minerals mining and exploration 112 STAT. 2681–258operations on federal lands by federal and state air, water, solid waste, reclamation and other environmental statutes, including surface management regulations promulgated by federal land management agencies and state primacy programs under applicable federal statutes and state laws and the time requirements applicable to project environmental review and permitting; (B) the adequacy of federal and state environmental, reclamation and permitting statutes and regulations applicable in any state or states where mining or exploration of locatable minerals on federal lands is occurring, to prevent unnecessary or undue degradation; and (C) recommendations and conclusions regarding how federal and state environmental, reclamation and permitting requirements and programs can be coordinated to ensure environmental protection, increase efficiency, avoid duplication and delay, and identify the most cost-effective manner for implementation. (b) Report.— No later than July 31, 1999, the Board shall submit a report addressing areas described under (a)(1) to the appropriate federal agencies, the Congress and the Governors of affected states. (c) Funds.—From the funds collected for mining law administration, the Secretary shall provide to the NAS such funds as it requests, not to exceed $800,000, for the purpose of conducting this analysis. (d) Surface Management Regulations.—The Secretary of the Interior shall not promulgate any final regulations to change the Bureau of Land Management regulations found at 43 CFR Part 3809 prior to September 30,1999.