Sec. 101 Short title
This title may be cited as the “Mining Reform and Deficit Reduction Act of 2013”.
Title I — Hardrock Mining Reform
I Hardrock Mining Reform
Sec. 102 Definitions and references
In general— As used in this title:
The term affiliate means with respect to any person, any of the following:
Any person who controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such person.
Any partner of such person.
Any person owning at least 10 percent of the voting shares of such person.
The term applicant means any person applying for a permit under this title or a modification to or a renewal of a permit under this title.
The term beneficiation means the crushing and grinding of locatable mineral ore and such processes as are employed to free the mineral from other constituents, including but not necessarily limited to, physical and chemical separation techniques.
The term casual use—
subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), means mineral activities that do not ordinarily result in any disturbance of public lands and resources;
includes collection of geochemical, rock, soil, or mineral specimens using handtools, hand panning, or nonmotorized sluicing; and
does not include—
the use of mechanized earth-moving equipment, suction dredging, or explosives;
the use of motor vehicles in areas closed to off-road vehicles;
the construction of roads or drill pads; and
the use of toxic or hazardous materials.
The term claim holder means a person holding a mining claim, millsite claim, or tunnel site claim located under the general mining laws and maintained in compliance with such laws and this title. Such term may include an agent of a claim holder.
The term control means having the ability, directly or indirectly, to determine (without regard to whether exercised through one or more corporate structures) the manner in which an entity conducts mineral activities, through any means, including without limitation, ownership interest, authority to commit the entity’s real or financial assets, position as a director, officer, or partner of the entity, or contractual arrangement.
The term exploration—
subject to subparagraphs (B) and (C), means creating surface disturbance other than casual use, to evaluate the type, extent, quantity, or quality of minerals present;
includes mineral activities associated with sampling, drilling, and analyzing locatable mineral values; and
does not include extraction of mineral material for commercial use or sale.
The term Federal land means any land, and any interest in land, that is owned by the United States and open to location of mining claims under the general mining laws and subtitle B of this title.
The term Indian lands means lands held in trust for the benefit of an Indian tribe or individual or held by an Indian tribe or individual subject to a restriction by the United States against alienation.
The term Indian tribe means any Indian tribe, band, nation, pueblo, or other organized group or community, including any Alaska Native village or regional corporation as defined in or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), that is recognized as eligible for the special programs and services provided by the United States to Indians because of their status as Indians.
The term locatable mineral—
subject to subparagraph (B), means any mineral, the legal and beneficial title to which remains in the United States and that is not subject to disposition under any of—
the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.);
the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 1001 et seq.);
the Act of July 31, 1947, commonly known as the Materials Act of 1947 (30 U.S.C. 601 et seq.); or
the Mineral Leasing for Acquired Lands Act (30 U.S.C. 351 et seq.); and
does not include any mineral that is subject to a restriction against alienation imposed by the United States and is—
held in trust by the United States for any Indian or Indian tribe, as defined in section 2 of the Indian Mineral Development Act of 1982 (25 U.S.C. 2101); or
owned by any Indian or Indian tribe, as defined in that section.
The term mineral activities means any activity on a mining claim, millsite claim, or tunnel site claim for, related to, or incidental to, mineral exploration, mining, beneficiation, processing, or reclamation activities for any locatable mineral.
The term mining claim—
subject to subparagraph (B), means a claim located under the Mining Law of 1872 within the boundaries of which exist locatable minerals the claimant intends to extract;
does not include a claim located for the purpose of securing Federal lands for a waste rock dump, tailings pile, or other purposes incident to processing locatable minerals extracted elsewhere.
The term National Conservation System unit means any unit of the National Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, or National Trails System, or a National Conservation Area, a National Recreation Area, a National Monument, or any unit of the National Wilderness Preservation System.
The term operator means any person proposing or authorized by a permit issued under this title to conduct mineral activities and any agent of such person.
The term person means an individual, Indian tribe, partnership, association, society, joint venture, joint stock company, firm, company, corporation, cooperative, or other organization and any instrumentality of State or local government including any publicly owned utility or publicly owned corporation of State or local government.
The term processing means processes downstream of beneficiation employed to prepare locatable mineral ore into the final marketable product, including smelting and electrolytic refining.
The term Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior, unless otherwise specified.
The term temporary cessation means a halt in mine-related production activities for a continuous period of no longer than 5 years.
The term undue degradation means, based on consideration of other resource values that may be affected, the operation or proposed operation fails to comply with the performance standards in this title or can reasonably be expected to cause significant environmental harm to wildlife; land, air, or water resources; or scientific or cultural resources.
The term valid existing rights means a mining claim or millsite claim located on lands described in section 121(b), that—
was properly located and maintained under the general mining laws prior to the date of enactment of this Act;
was supported by a discovery of a valuable mineral deposit within the meaning of the general mining laws on the date of enactment of this Act, and, for millsite claims, does not involve more than one mill site for every mining claim located for that operation; and
continues to be valid under this title.
References to other laws—
Any reference in this title to the term general mining laws is a reference to those Acts that generally comprise chapters 2, 12A, and 16, and sections 161 and 162, of title 30, United States Code.
Any reference in this title to the Act of July 23, 1955, is a reference to the Act entitled “An Act to amend the Act of July 31, 1947 (61 Stat. 681) and the mining laws to provide for multiple use of the surface of the same tracts of the public lands, and for other purposes” (30 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).
Sec. 103 Application rules
In general— This title applies to any mining claim, millsite claim, or tunnel site claim located under the general mining laws, before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act, except as provided in subsection (b).
Preexisting claims—
Any unpatented mining claim or millsite claim located under the general mining laws before the date of enactment of this Act for which a plan of operation has not been approved or a notice filed prior to the date of enactment shall, upon the effective date of this title, be subject to the requirements of this title, except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3).
If a plan of operations is approved for mineral activities on any claim or site referred to in paragraph (1) prior to the date of enactment of this Act but such operations have not commenced prior to the date of enactment of this Act—
during the 5-year period beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, mineral activities at such claim or site shall be subject to such plan of operations;
during such 5-year period, modifications of any such plan may be made in accordance with the provisions of law applicable prior to the enactment of this Act if such modifications are deemed minor by the Secretary concerned; and
the operator shall bring such mineral activities into compliance with this title by the end of such 5-year period.
Where an application for modification of a plan of operations referred to in subparagraph (A)(ii) has been timely submitted and an approved plan expires prior to Secretarial action on the application, mineral activities and reclamation may continue in accordance with the terms of the expired plan until the Secretary makes an administrative decision on the application.
Federal lands subject to existing permit—
Any Federal land shall be subject to the requirements of section 112(a)(2) if the land is—
subject to an operations permit; and
producing valuable locatable minerals in commercial quantities prior to the date of enactment of this Act.
Any Federal land added through a plan modification to an operations permit on Federal land that is submitted after the date of enactment of this Act shall be subject to the terms of section 112(a)(3).
Application of title to beneficiation and processing of non-Federal minerals on Federal lands— The provisions of this title (including the environmental protection requirements of subtitle C) shall apply in the same manner and to the same extent to mining claims, millsite claims, and tunnel site claims used for beneficiation or processing activities or activities related to, or incidental to, such mineral activities for any mineral without regard to whether or not the legal and beneficial title to the mineral is held by the United States. This subsection applies only to minerals that are locatable minerals or minerals that would be locatable minerals if the legal and beneficial title to such minerals were held by the United States.
A Mineral Exploration and Development
Sec. 111 Royalty
Reservation of royalty—
In general— Subject to paragraph (2), production of all locatable minerals from any mining claim located under the general mining laws and maintained in compliance with this title, or mineral concentrates or products derived from locatable minerals from any such mining claim, as the case may be, shall be subject to a royalty of 12.5 percent of the gross income from mining. The claim holder or any operator to whom the claim holder has assigned the obligation to make royalty payments under the claim and any person who controls such claim holder or operator shall be liable for payment of such royalties.
Federal land added to existing operations permit— Any Federal land added through a plan modification to an operations permit that is submitted after the date of enactment of this Act shall be subject to the royalty that applies to Federal land under paragraph (1).
Deposit— Amounts received by the United States as royalties under this subsection shall be deposited into the Treasury.
Duties of claim holders, operators, and transporters—
A person—
who is required to make any royalty payment under this section shall make such payments to the United States at such times and in such manner as the Secretary may by rule prescribe; and
shall notify the Secretary, in the time and manner as may be specified by the Secretary, of any assignment that such person may have made of the obligation to make any royalty or other payment under a mining claim.
Any person paying royalties under this section shall file a written instrument, together with the first royalty payment, affirming that such person is responsible for making proper payments for all amounts due for all time periods for which such person has a payment responsibility. Such responsibility for the periods referred to in the preceding sentence shall include any and all additional amounts billed by the Secretary and determined to be due by final agency or judicial action. Any person liable for royalty payments under this section who assigns any payment obligation shall remain jointly and severally liable for all royalty payments due for the claim for the period.
A person conducting mineral activities shall—
develop and comply with the site security provisions in the operations permit designed to protect from theft the locatable minerals, concentrates or products derived therefrom which are produced or stored on a mining claim, and such provisions shall conform with such minimum standards as the Secretary may prescribe by rule, taking into account the variety of circumstances on mining claims; and
not later than the 5th business day after production begins anywhere on a mining claim, or production resumes after more than 90 days after production was suspended, notify the Secretary, in the manner prescribed by the Secretary, of the date on which such production has begun or resumed.
The Secretary may by rule require any person engaged in transporting a locatable mineral, concentrate, or product derived there from to carry on his or her person, in his or her vehicle, or in his or her immediate control, documentation showing, at a minimum, the amount, origin, and intended destination of the locatable mineral, concentrate, or product derived there from in such circumstances as the Secretary determines is appropriate.
Recordkeeping and reporting requirements—
A claim holder, operator, or other person directly involved in developing, producing, processing, transporting, purchasing, or selling locatable minerals, concentrates, or products derived therefrom, subject to this title, through the point of royalty computation shall establish and maintain any records, make any reports, and provide any information that the Secretary may reasonably require for the purposes of implementing this section or determining compliance with rules or orders under this section. Such records shall include, but not be limited to, periodic reports, records, documents, and other data. Such reports may also include, but not be limited to, pertinent technical and financial data relating to the quantity, quality, composition volume, weight, and assay of all minerals extracted from the mining claim. Upon the request of any officer or employee duly designated by the Secretary conducting an audit or investigation pursuant to this section, the appropriate records, reports, or information that may be required by this section shall be made available for inspection and duplication by such officer or employee. Failure by a claim holder, operator, or other person referred to in the first sentence to cooperate with such an audit, provide data required by the Secretary, or grant access to information may, at the discretion of the Secretary, result in involuntary forfeiture of the claim.
Records required by the Secretary under this section shall be maintained for 7 years after release of financial assurance under section 136 unless the Secretary notifies the operator that the Secretary has initiated an audit or investigation involving such records and that such records must be maintained for a longer period. In any case when an audit or investigation is underway, records shall be maintained until the Secretary releases the operator of the obligation to maintain such records.
Audits— The Secretary is authorized to conduct such audits of all claim holders, operators, transporters, purchasers, processors, or other persons directly or indirectly involved in the production or sales of minerals covered by this title, as the Secretary deems necessary for the purposes of ensuring compliance with the requirements of this section. For purposes of performing such audits, the Secretary shall, at reasonable times and upon request, have access to, and may copy, all books, papers and other documents that relate to compliance with any provision of this section by any person.
Cooperative agreements—
The Secretary is authorized to enter into cooperative agreements with the Secretary of Agriculture to share information concerning the royalty management of locatable minerals, concentrates, or products derived therefrom, to carry out inspection, auditing, investigation, or enforcement (not including the collection of royalties, civil or criminal penalties, or other payments) activities under this section in cooperation with the Secretary, and to carry out any other activity described in this section.
Except as provided in paragraph (3)(A) of this subsection (relating to trade secrets), and pursuant to a cooperative agreement, the Secretary of Agriculture shall, upon request, have access to all royalty accounting information in the possession of the Secretary respecting the production, removal, or sale of locatable minerals, concentrates, or products derived therefrom from claims on lands open to location under this title.
Trade secrets, proprietary, and other confidential information protected from disclosure under section 552 of title 5, United States Code, popularly known as the Freedom of Information Act, shall be made available by the Secretary to other Federal agencies as necessary to assure compliance with this title and other Federal laws. The Secretary, the Secretary of Agriculture, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, and other Federal officials shall ensure that such information is provided protection in accordance with the requirements of that section.
Interest and substantial underreporting assessments—
In the case of mining claims where royalty payments are not received by the Secretary on the date that such payments are due, the Secretary shall charge interest on such underpayments at the same interest rate as the rate applicable under section 6621(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. In the case of an underpayment, interest shall be computed and charged only on the amount of the deficiency and not on the total amount.
If there is any underreporting of royalty owed on production from a claim for any production month by any person liable for royalty payments under this section, the Secretary shall assess a penalty of not greater than 25 percent of the amount of that underreporting.
For the purposes of this subsection, the term underreporting means the difference between the royalty on the value of the production that should have been reported and the royalty on the value of the production which was reported, if the value that should have been reported is greater than the value that was reported.
The Secretary may waive or reduce the assessment provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection if the person liable for royalty payments under this section corrects the underreporting before the date such person receives notice from the Secretary that an underreporting may have occurred, or before 90 days after the date of the enactment of this section, whichever is later.
The Secretary shall waive any portion of an assessment under paragraph (2) of this subsection attributable to that portion of the underreporting for which the person responsible for paying the royalty demonstrates that—
such person had written authorization from the Secretary to report royalty on the value of the production on basis on which it was reported;
such person had substantial authority for reporting royalty on the value of the production on the basis on which it was reported;
such person previously had notified the Secretary, in such manner as the Secretary may by rule prescribe, of relevant reasons or facts affecting the royalty treatment of specific production which led to the underreporting; or
such person meets any other exception which the Secretary may, by rule, establish.
Expanded royalty obligations— Each person liable for royalty payments under this section shall be jointly and severally liable for royalty on all locatable minerals, concentrates, or products derived therefrom lost or wasted from a mining claim located under the general mining laws and maintained in compliance with this title when such loss or waste is due to negligence on the part of any person or due to the failure to comply with any rule, regulation, or order issued under this section.
Gross income from mining defined— For the purposes of this section, for any locatable mineral, the term gross income from mining has the same meaning as the term gross income in section 613(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Effective date— The royalty under this section shall take effect with respect to the production of locatable minerals after the enactment of this Act, but any royalty payments attributable to production during the first 12 calendar months after the enactment of this Act shall be payable at the expiration of such 12-month period.
Failure To comply with royalty requirements— Any person who fails to comply with the requirements of this section or any regulation or order issued to implement this section shall be liable for a civil penalty under section 109 of the Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Management Act (30 U.S.C. 1719) to the same extent as if the claim located under the general mining laws and maintained in compliance with this title were a lease under that Act.
Use of amounts for deficit reduction— Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any amounts received by the United States as royalties under this section shall be deposited in the Treasury and used for Federal budget deficit reduction or, if there is no Federal budget deficit, for reducing the Federal debt in such manner as the Secretary of the Treasury considers appropriate.
Sec. 112 Hardrock mining claim maintenance fee
Fee—
Except as provided in section 2511(e)(2) of the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (relating to oil shale claims), for each unpatented mining claim, mill or tunnel site on federally owned lands, whether located before, on, or after enactment of this Act, each claimant shall pay to the Secretary, on or before August 31 of each year, a claim maintenance fee of $200 per claim to hold such unpatented mining claim, mill or tunnel site for the assessment year beginning at noon on the next day, September 1. Such claim maintenance fee shall be in lieu of the assessment work requirement contained in the Mining Law of 1872 (30 U.S.C. 28 et seq.) and the related filing requirements contained in section 314(a) and (c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1744(a) and (c)).
The Secretary shall adjust the fees required by this section to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor every 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, or more frequently if the Secretary determines an adjustment to be reasonable. The Secretary shall employ the Consumer Price Index for All-Urban Consumers published by the Department of Labor as the basis for adjustment, and rounding according to the adjustment process of conditions of the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 (104 Stat. 890).
The Secretary shall provide claimants notice of any adjustment made under this paragraph not later than July 1 of any year in which the adjustment is made.
A fee adjustment under this paragraph shall begin to apply the calendar year following the calendar year in which it is made.
Location— Notwithstanding any provision of law, for every unpatented mining claim, mill or tunnel site located after the date of enactment of this Act the locator shall, at the time the location notice is recorded with the Bureau of Land Management, pay to the Secretary a location fee, in addition to the fee required by subsection (a) of $50 per claim.
Co-Ownership— The co-ownership provisions of the Mining Law of 1872 (30 U.S.C. 28 et seq.) will remain in effect except that the annual claim maintenance fee, where applicable, shall replace applicable assessment requirements and expenditures.
Failure To pay— Failure to pay the claim maintenance fee as required by subsection (a) shall conclusively constitute a forfeiture of the unpatented mining claim, mill or tunnel site by the claimant and the claim shall be deemed null and void by operation of law.
Other requirements—
Nothing in this section shall change or modify the requirements of section 314(b) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1744(b)), or the requirements of section 314(c) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1744(c)) related to filings required by section 314(b), which remain in effect.
Section 2324 of the Revised Statutes of the United States (30 U.S.C. 28) is amended by inserting “or section 103(a) of the Mining Reform and Deficit Reduction Act of 2013” after “Act of 1993,”.
Sec. 113 Effect of payments for use and occupancy of claims
Timely payment of the claim maintenance fee required by section 112 of this title or any related law relating to the use of Federal land, preserves the claimant’s ability to use and occupy the Federal land concerned for prospecting and exploration, consistent with and subject to the requirements of this title and other applicable law.
Sec. 114 Limitation on patents
Mining claims—
Determinations required— After the date of enactment of this Act, no patent shall be issued by the United States for any mining claim located under the general mining laws unless the Secretary determines that, for the claim concerned—
a patent application was filed with the Secretary on or before September 30, 1994; and
all requirements established under sections 2325 and 2326 of the Revised Statutes (30 U.S.C. 29 and 30) for vein or lode claims and sections 2329, 2330, 2331, and 2333 of the Revised Statutes (30 U.S.C. 35, 36, and 37) for placer claims were fully complied with by that date.
Right to patent— If the Secretary makes the determinations referred to in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) for any mining claim, the holder of the claim shall be entitled to the issuance of a patent in the same manner and degree to which such claim holder would have been entitled to prior to the enactment of this Act, unless and until such determinations are withdrawn or invalidated by the Secretary or by a court of the United States.
Millsite claims—
Determinations required— After the date of enactment of this Act, no patent shall be issued by the United States for any millsite claim located under the general mining laws unless the Secretary determines that for the millsite concerned—
a patent application for such land was filed with the Secretary on or before September 30, 1994; and
all requirements applicable to such patent application were fully complied with by that date.
Right to patent— If the Secretary makes the determinations referred to in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) for any millsite claim, the holder of the claim shall be entitled to the issuance of a patent in the same manner and degree to which such claim holder would have been entitled to prior to the enactment of this Act, unless and until such determinations are withdrawn or invalidated by the Secretary or by a court of the United States.
B Protection of Special Places
Sec. 121 Lands open to location
Lands open to location— Except as provided in subsection (b), mining claims may be located under the general mining laws only on such lands and interests as were open to the location of mining claims under the general mining laws immediately before the enactment of this Act.
Lands not open to location— Notwithstanding any other provision of law and subject to valid existing rights, each of the following shall not be open to the location of mining claims under the general mining laws on or after the date of enactment of this Act:
Wilderness study areas.
Areas of critical environmental concern.
Areas designated for inclusion in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System pursuant to the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act (16 U.S.C. 1271 et seq.), areas designated for potential addition to such system pursuant to section 5(a) of that Act (16 U.S.C. 1276(a)), and areas determined to be eligible for inclusion in such system pursuant to section 5(d) of such Act (16 U.S.C. 1276(d)).
Any area identified in the set of inventoried roadless areas maps contained in the Forest Service Roadless Area Conservation Final Environmental Impact Statement, Volume 2, dated November 2000.
Existing authority not affected— Nothing in this title limits the authority granted the Secretary in section 204 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1714) to withdraw public lands.
Sec. 122 Withdrawal petitions by States, political subdivisions, and Indian tribes
In general— Subject to valid existing rights, any State or political subdivision of a State or an Indian tribe may submit a petition to the Secretary for the withdrawal of a specific tract of Federal land from the operation of the general mining laws, in order to protect specific values identified in the petition that are important to the State or political subdivision or Indian tribe. Such values may include the value of a watershed to supply drinking water, wildlife habitat value, cultural or historic resources, or value for scenic vistas important to the local economy, and other similar values. In the case of an Indian tribe, the petition may also identify religious or cultural values that are important to the Indian tribe. The petition shall contain the information required by section 204 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1714).
Consideration of petition— The Secretary—
shall solicit public comment on the petition;
shall make a final decision on the petition within 180 days after receiving it; and
shall grant the petition subject to valid existing rights, unless the Secretary makes and publishes in the Federal Register specific findings why a decision to grant the petition would be against the national interest.
C Environmental Considerations of Mineral Exploration and Development
Sec. 131 General standard for hardrock mining on Federal land
Notwithstanding section 302(b) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1732(b)), the first section of the Act of June 4, 1897 (chapter 2; 30 Stat. 36 16 U.S.C. 478), and the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 1600 et seq.), and in accordance with this subtitle and applicable law, unless expressly stated otherwise in this title, the Secretary—
shall ensure that mineral activities on any Federal land that is subject to a mining claim, millsite claim, or tunnel site claim is carefully controlled to prevent undue degradation of public lands and resources; and
shall not grant permission to engage in mineral activities if the Secretary, after considering the evidence, determines that undue degradation would result from such activities.
Sec. 132 Permits
Permits required— No person may engage in mineral activities on Federal land that may cause a disturbance of surface resources, including land, air, ground water and surface water, and fish and wildlife, unless—
the claim was properly located under the general mining laws and maintained in compliance with such laws and this title; and
a permit was issued to such person under this subtitle authorizing such activities.
Negligible disturbance— Notwithstanding subsection (a)(2), a permit under this subtitle shall not be required for mineral activities that are a casual use of the Federal land.
Coordination with NEPA process— The Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture shall conduct the permit processes under this title in coordination with the timing and other requirements under section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332).
Sec. 133 Exploration permit
Authorized exploration activity— Any claim holder may apply for an exploration permit for any mining claim authorizing the claim holder to remove a reasonable amount of the locatable minerals from the claim for analysis, study and testing. Such permit shall not authorize the claim holder to remove any mineral for sale nor to conduct any activities other than those required for exploration for locatable minerals and reclamation.
Permit Application requirements— An application for an exploration permit under this section shall be submitted in a manner satisfactory to the Secretary or, for National Forest System lands, the Secretary of Agriculture, and shall contain an exploration plan, a reclamation plan for the proposed exploration, and such documentation as necessary to ensure compliance with applicable Federal and State environmental laws and regulations.
Reclamation plan requirements— The reclamation plan required to be included in a permit application under subsection (b) shall include such provisions as may be jointly prescribed by the Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture.
Permit issuance or denial— The Secretary, or for National Forest System lands, the Secretary of Agriculture, shall issue an exploration permit pursuant to an application under this section unless such Secretary makes any of the following determinations:
The permit application, the exploration plan and reclamation plan are not complete and accurate.
The applicant has not demonstrated that proposed reclamation can be accomplished.
The proposed exploration activities and condition of the land after the completion of exploration activities and final reclamation would not conform with the land use plan applicable to the area subject to mineral activities.
The area subject to the proposed permit is included within an area not open to location under section 121.
The applicant has not demonstrated that the exploration plan and reclamation plan will be in compliance with the requirements of this title and all other applicable Federal requirements, and any State requirements agreed to by the Secretary of the Interior (or Secretary of Agriculture, as appropriate).
The applicant has not demonstrated that the requirements of section 136 (relating to financial assurance) will be met.
The applicant is ineligible to receive a permit as determined under section 135.
Term of permit— An exploration permit shall be for a stated term. The term shall be no greater than that necessary to accomplish the proposed exploration, and in no case for more than 10 years.
Permit modification— During the term of an exploration permit, the permit holder may submit an application to modify the permit. To approve a proposed modification to the permit, the Secretary concerned shall make the same determinations as are required in the case of an original permit, except that the Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture may specify by joint rule the extent to which requirements for initial exploration permits under this section shall apply to applications to modify an exploration permit based on whether such modifications are deemed significant or minor.
Transfer, assignment, or sale of rights—
No transfer, assignment, or sale of rights granted by a permit issued under this section shall be made without the prior written approval of the Secretary or for National Forest System lands, the Secretary of Agriculture.
Such Secretary shall allow a person holding a permit to transfer, assign, or sell rights under the permit to a successor, if the Secretary finds, in writing, that the successor—
is eligible to receive a permit in accordance with section 134(d);
has submitted evidence of financial assurance satisfactory under section 136; and
meets any other requirements specified by the Secretary.
The successor in interest shall assume the liability and reclamation responsibilities established by the existing permit and shall conduct the mineral activities in full compliance with this title, and the terms and conditions of the permit as in effect at the time of transfer, assignment, or sale.
Each application for approval of a permit transfer, assignment, or sale pursuant to this subsection shall be accompanied by a fee payable to the Secretary of the Interior in such amount as may be established by such Secretary. Such amount shall be equal to the actual or anticipated cost to the Secretary or the Secretary of Agriculture, as appropriate, of reviewing and approving or disapproving such transfer, assignment, or sale, as determined by the Secretary of the Interior.
Sec. 134 Operations permit
Operations permit—
Any claim holder that is in compliance with the general mining laws and section 113 of this title may apply to the Secretary, or for National Forest System lands, the Secretary of Agriculture, for an operations permit authorizing the claim holder to carry out mineral activities, other than casual use, on—
any valid mining claim, valid millsite claim, or valid tunnel site claim; and
such additional Federal land as the Secretary may determine is necessary to conduct the proposed mineral activities, if the operator obtains a right-of-way permit for use of such additional lands under title V of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1761 et seq.) and agrees to pay all fees required under that title for the permit under that title.
If the Secretary decides to issue such permit, the permit shall include such terms and conditions as prescribed by such Secretary to carry out this subtitle.
Permit Application requirements— An application for an operations permit under this section shall be submitted in a manner satisfactory to the Secretary concerned and shall contain site characterization data, an operations plan, a reclamation plan, monitoring plans, long-term maintenance plans, to the extent necessary, and such documentation as necessary to ensure compliance with applicable Federal and State environmental laws and regulations. If the proposed mineral activities will be carried out in conjunction with mineral activities on adjacent non-Federal lands, information on the location and nature of such operations may be required by the Secretary.
Permit issuance or denial—
After providing for public participation pursuant to subsection (i), the Secretary, or for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture, shall issue an operations permit if such Secretary makes each of the following determinations in writing, and shall deny a permit if such Secretary finds that the application and applicant do not fully meet the following requirements:
The permit application, including the site characterization data, operations plan, and reclamation plan, are complete and accurate and sufficient for developing a good understanding of the anticipated impacts of the mineral activities and the effectiveness of proposed mitigation and control.
The applicant has demonstrated that the proposed reclamation in the operation and reclamation plan can be and is likely to be accomplished by the applicant and will not cause undue degradation.
The condition of the land, including the fish and wildlife resources and habitat contained thereon, after the completion of mineral activities and final reclamation, will conform to the land use plan applicable to the area subject to mineral activities and are returned to a productive use.
The area subject to the proposed plan is open to location for the types of mineral activities proposed.
The proposed operation has been designed to prevent material damage to the hydrologic balance.
The applicant will fully comply with the requirements of section 136 (relating to financial assurance) prior to the initiation of operations.
Neither the applicant nor operator, nor any subsidiary, affiliate, or person controlled by or under common control with the applicant or operator, is ineligible to receive a permit under section 135.
The reclamation plan demonstrates that 10 years following mine closure, no treatment of surface or ground water will be required to meet water quality standards at the point of discharge.
With respect to any activities specified in the reclamation plan referred to in subsection (b) that constitutes a removal or remedial action under section 101 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.), the Secretary shall consult with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency prior to the issuance of an operations permit. The Administrator shall ensure that the reclamation plan does not require activities that would increase the costs or likelihood of removal or remedial actions under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) or corrective actions under the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.).
Term of permit; renewal—
An operations permit—
shall be for a term that is no longer than the shorter of—
the period necessary to accomplish the proposed mineral activities subject to the permit; and
20 years; and
shall be renewed for an additional 20-year period if the operation is in compliance with the requirements of this title and other applicable law.
Failure by the operator to commence mineral activities within 2 years of the date scheduled in an operations permit shall require a modification of the permit if the Secretary concerned determines that modifications are necessary to comply with section 121.
Permit modification—
During the term of an operations permit the operator may submit an application to modify the permit (including the operations plan or reclamation plan, or both).
The Secretary, or for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture, may, at any time, require reasonable modification to any operations plan or reclamation plan upon a determination that the requirements of this title cannot be met if the plan is followed as approved. Such determination shall be based on a written finding and subject to public notice and hearing requirements established by the Secretary concerned.
A permit modification is required before changes are made to the approved plan of operations, or if unanticipated events or conditions exist on the mine site, including in the case of—
development of acid or toxic drainage;
loss of springs or water supplies;
water quantity, water quality, or other resulting water impacts that are significantly different than those predicted in the application;
the need for long-term water treatment;
significant reclamation difficulties or reclamation failure;
the discovery of significant scientific, cultural, or biological resources that were not addressed in the original plan; or
the discovery of hazards to public safety.
Temporary cessation of operations—
An operator conducting mineral activities under an operations permit in effect under this subtitle may not temporarily cease mineral activities for a period greater than 180 days unless the Secretary concerned has approved such temporary cessation or unless the temporary cessation is permitted under the original permit. Any operator temporarily ceasing mineral activities for a period greater than 90 days under an operations permit issued before the date of the enactment of this Act shall submit, before the expiration of such 90-day period, a complete application for temporary cessation of operations to the Secretary concerned for approval unless the temporary cessation is permitted under the original permit.
An application for approval of temporary cessation of operations shall include such information required under subsection (b) and any other provisions prescribed by the Secretary concerned to minimize impacts on the environment. After receipt of a complete application for temporary cessation of operations such Secretary shall conduct an inspection of the area for which temporary cessation of operations has been requested.
To approve an application for temporary cessation of operations, the Secretary concerned shall make each of the following determinations:
A determination that the methods for securing surface facilities and restricting access to the permit area, or relevant portions thereof, will effectively ensure against hazards to the health and safety of the public and fish and wildlife.
A determination that reclamation is in compliance with the approved reclamation plan, except in those areas specifically designated in the application for temporary cessation of operations for which a delay in meeting such standards is necessary to facilitate the resumption of operations.
A determination that the amount of financial assurance filed with the permit application is sufficient to assure completion of the reclamation activities identified in the approved reclamation plan in the event of forfeiture.
A determination that any outstanding notices of violation and cessation orders incurred in connection with the plan for which temporary cessation is being requested are either stayed pursuant to an administrative or judicial appeal proceeding or are in the process of being abated to the satisfaction of the Secretary concerned.
Permit reviews— The Secretary, or for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture, shall review each permit issued under this section every 10 years during the term of such permit, shall provide public notice of the permit review, and, based upon a written finding, such Secretary shall require the operator to take such actions as the Secretary deems necessary to assure that mineral activities conform to the permit, including adjustment of financial assurance requirements.
Transfer, assignment, or sale of rights—
No transfer, assignment, or sale of rights granted by a permit under this section shall be made without the prior written approval of the Secretary, or for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture.
The Secretary, or for National Forest System lands, the Secretary of Agriculture, may allow a person holding a permit to transfer, assign, or sell rights under the permit to a successor, if such Secretary finds, in writing, that the successor—
has submitted information required and is eligible to receive a permit in accordance with section 135;
has submitted evidence of financial assurance satisfactory under section 136; and
meets any other requirements specified by such Secretary.
The successor in interest shall assume reclamation and other responsibilities established by the existing permit and shall conduct the mineral activities in full compliance with this title, and the terms and conditions of the permit as in effect at the time of transfer, assignment, or sale.
Each application for approval of a permit transfer, assignment, or sale pursuant to this subsection shall be accompanied by a fee payable to the Secretary of the Interior, or for National Forest System lands, the Secretary of Agriculture, in such amount as may be established by such Secretary, or for National Forest System lands, by the Secretary of Agriculture. Such amount shall be equal to the actual or anticipated cost to the Secretary or, for National Forest System lands, to the Secretary of Agriculture, of reviewing and approving or disapproving such transfer, assignment, or sale, as determined by such Secretary.
Public participation— The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall jointly promulgate regulations to ensure transparency and public participation in permit decisions required under this title, consistent with any requirements that apply to such decisions under section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332).
Sec. 135 Persons ineligible for permits
Current violations— Unless corrective action has been taken in accordance with subsection (c), no permit under this subtitle shall be issued or transferred to an applicant if the applicant or any agent of the applicant, the operator (if different than the applicant) of the claim concerned, any claim holder (if different than the applicant) of the claim concerned, or any affiliate or officer or director of the applicant is currently in violation of any of the following:
A provision of this title or any regulation under this title.
An applicable State or Federal toxic substance, solid waste, air, water quality, or fish and wildlife conservation law or regulation at any site where mining, beneficiation, or processing activities are occurring or have occurred.
The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 U.S.C. 1201 et seq.) or any regulation implementing that Act at any site where surface coal mining operations have occurred or are occurring.
Suspension— The Secretary, or for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture, shall suspend an operations permit, in whole or in part, if such Secretary determines that any of the entities described in subsection (a) were in violation of any requirement listed in subsection (a) at the time the permit was issued.
Correction—
The Secretary, or for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture, may issue or reinstate a permit under this subtitle if the applicant submits proof that the violation referred to in subsection (a) or (b) has been corrected or is in the process of being corrected to the satisfaction of such Secretary and the regulatory authority involved or if the applicant submits proof that the violator has filed and is presently pursuing, a direct administrative or judicial appeal to contest the existence of the violation. For purposes of this section, an appeal of any applicant’s relationship to an affiliate shall not constitute a direct administrative or judicial appeal to contest the existence of the violation.
Any permit which is issued or reinstated based upon proof submitted under this subsection shall be conditionally approved or conditionally reinstated, as the case may be. If the violation is not successfully abated or the violation is upheld on appeal, the permit shall be suspended or revoked.
Pattern of willful violations— No permit under this title may be issued to any applicant if there is a demonstrated pattern of willful violations of the environmental protection requirements of this title by the applicant, any affiliate of the applicant, or the operator or claim holder if different than the applicant.
Sec. 136 Financial assurance
Financial assurance required—
Subject to public notice and comment, and after a permit is issued under this subtitle and before any exploration or operations begin under the permit, the operator shall file with the Secretary, or for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture, evidence of financial assurance payable to the United States. The financial assurance shall be provided in the form of a surety bond, a trust fund, letters of credits, government securities, certificates of deposit, cash, or an equivalent form approved by such Secretary.
The financial assurance shall cover all lands within the initial permit area and all affected waters that may require restoration, treatment, or other management as a result of mineral activities, and shall be extended to cover all lands and waters added pursuant to any permit modification made under section 133(f) (relating to exploration permits) or section 134(e) (relating to operations permits), or affected by mineral activities.
Amount— The amount of the financial assurance required under this section shall be sufficient to assure the completion of reclamation and restoration satisfying the requirements of this title if the work were to be performed by the Secretary concerned in the event of forfeiture, including the construction and maintenance costs for any treatment facilities necessary to meet Federal and State environmental requirements. The calculation of such amount shall take into account the maximum level of financial exposure which shall arise during the mineral activity and administrative costs associated with a government agency reclaiming the site.
Duration— The financial assurance required under this section shall be held for the duration of the mineral activities and for an additional period to cover the operator’s responsibility for reclamation, restoration, and long-term maintenance, and effluent treatment as specified in subsection (g).
Adjustments— The amount of the financial assurance and the terms of the acceptance of the assurance may be adjusted by the Secretary concerned from time to time as the area requiring coverage is increased or decreased, or where the costs of reclamation or treatment change, or pursuant to section 134(f) (relating to temporary cessation of operations), but the financial assurance shall otherwise be in compliance with this section. The Secretary concerned shall review the financial guarantee every 3 years and as part of the permit application review under section 134(c).
Release— Upon request, and after notice and opportunity for public comment, and after inspection by the Secretary, or for National Forest System lands, the Secretary of Agriculture, such Secretary may, after consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, release in whole or in part the financial assurance required under this section if the Secretary makes both of the following determinations:
A determination that reclamation or restoration covered by the financial assurance has been accomplished as required by this title.
A determination that the terms and conditions of any other applicable Federal requirements, and State requirements applicable pursuant to cooperative agreements under section 138, have been fulfilled.
Release schedule— The release referred to in subsection (e) shall be according to the following schedule:
After the operator has completed any required backfilling, regrading, and drainage control of an area subject to mineral activities and covered by the financial assurance, and has commenced revegetation on the regraded areas subject to mineral activities in accordance with the approved plan, that portion of the total financial assurance secured for the area subject to mineral activities attributable to the completed activities may be released except that sufficient assurance must be retained to address other required reclamation and restoration needs and to assure the long-term success of the revegetation.
After the operator has completed successfully all remaining mineral activities and reclamation activities and all requirements of the operations plan and the reclamation plan, and all other requirements of this title have been fully met, including the requirements of subsection (g) of this section, the remaining portion of the financial assurance may be released.
Effluent— Notwithstanding section 137(b)(4), where any discharge or other water-related condition resulting from the mineral activities requires treatment in order to meet the applicable effluent limitations and water quality standards, the financial assurance shall include the estimated cost of maintaining such treatment for the projected period that will be needed after the cessation of mineral activities. The portion of the financial assurance attributable to such estimated cost of treatment shall not be released until the discharge has ceased for a period of 5 years, as determined by ongoing monitoring and testing, or, if the discharge continues, until the operator has met all applicable effluent limitations and water quality standards for 5 full years without treatment.
Environmental hazards— If the Secretary, or for National Forest System lands, the Secretary of Agriculture, determines, after final release of financial assurance, that an environmental hazard resulting from the mineral activities exists, or the terms and conditions of the explorations or operations permit of this title were not fulfilled in fact at the time of release, such Secretary shall issue an order under section 146 requiring the claim holder or operator (or any person who controls the claim holder or operator) to correct the condition such that applicable laws and regulations and any conditions from the plan of operations are met.
Sec. 137 Operation and reclamation
General rule—
The operator shall restore lands subject to mineral activities carried out under a permit issued under this subtitle to a condition capable of supporting—
the uses which such lands were capable of supporting prior to surface disturbance by the operator, or
other beneficial uses which conform to applicable land use plans as determined by the Secretary, or for National Forest System lands, the Secretary of Agriculture.
Reclamation shall proceed as contemporaneously as practicable with the conduct of mineral activities. In the case of a cessation of mineral activities beyond that provided for as a temporary cessation under this title, reclamation activities shall begin immediately.
Operation and reclamation standards— The Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture shall jointly promulgate regulations that establish operation and reclamation standards for mineral activities permitted under this title. The Secretaries may determine whether outcome-based performance standards or technology-based design standards are most appropriate. The regulations shall address the following:
Segregation, protection, and replacement of topsoil or other suitable growth medium, and the prevention, where possible, of soil contamination.
Maintenance of the stability of all surface areas.
Control of sediments to prevent erosion and manage drainage.
Minimization of the formation and migration of acidic, alkaline, metal-bearing, or other deleterious leachate.
Reduction of the visual impact of mineral activities to the surrounding topography, including as necessary pit backfill.
Establishment of a diverse, effective, and permanent vegetative cover of the same seasonal variety native to the area affected by mineral activities, and equal in extent of cover to the natural vegetation of the area.
Design and maintenance of leach operations, impoundments, and excess waste according to standard engineering standards to achieve and maintain stability and reclamation of the site.
Removal of structures and roads and sealing of drill holes.
Restoration of, or mitigation for, fish and wildlife habitat disturbed by mineral activities.
Preservation of cultural, paleontological, and cave resources.
Prevention and suppression of fire in the area of mineral activities.
Surface or groundwater withdrawals— The Secretary shall work with State and local governments with authority over the allocation and use of surface and groundwater in the area around the mine site as necessary to ensure that any surface or groundwater withdrawals made as a result of mining activities approved under this section do not cause undue degradation or results in material alteration of the hydrologic balance.
Special rule— Reclamation activities for a mining claim that has been forfeited, relinquished, or lapsed, or a plan that has expired or been revoked or suspended, shall continue subject to review and approval by the Secretary, or for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture.
Sec. 138 State law and regulation
State law—
Any reclamation, land use, environmental, or public health protection standard or requirement in State, county, local, or tribal law or regulation that meets or exceeds the requirements of this title shall not be construed to be inconsistent with any such standard.
Any bonding standard or requirement in State, county, local, or tribal law or regulation that meets or exceeds the requirements of this title shall not be construed to be inconsistent with such requirements.
Any inspection standard or requirement in State, county, local, or tribal law or regulation that meets or exceeds the requirements of this title shall not be construed to be inconsistent with such requirements.
Applicability of other State requirements—
Nothing in this title shall be construed as affecting any toxic substance, solid waste, or air or water quality, standard or requirement of any State, county, local, or tribal law or regulation, which may be applicable to mineral activities on lands subject to this title.
Nothing in this title shall be construed as affecting in any way the right of any person to enforce or protect, under applicable law, such person’s interest in water resources affected by mineral activities on lands subject to this title.
Cooperative agreements—
Any State may enter into a cooperative agreement with the Secretary, or for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture, for the purposes of such Secretary applying such standards and requirements referred to in subsection (a) and subsection (b) to mineral activities or reclamation on lands subject to this title.
In such instances where the proposed mineral activities would affect lands not subject to this title in addition to lands subject to this title, in order to approve a plan of operations the Secretary concerned shall enter into a cooperative agreement with the State that sets forth a common regulatory framework consistent with the requirements of this title for the purposes of such plan of operations. Any such common regulatory framework shall not negate the authority of the Federal Government to independently inspect mines and operations and bring enforcement actions for violations.
The Secretary concerned shall not enter into a cooperative agreement with any State under this section until after notice in the Federal Register and opportunity for public comment and hearing.
Prior agreements— Any cooperative agreement or such other understanding between the Secretary concerned and any State, or political subdivision thereof, relating to the management of mineral activities on lands subject to this title that was in existence on the date of enactment of this Act may only continue in force until 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act. During such 1-year period, the State and the Secretary shall review the terms of the agreement and make changes that are necessary to be consistent with this title.
Sec. 139 Limitation on the issuance of permits
No permit shall be issued under this subtitle that authorizes mineral activities that would impair the land or resources of a National Park or a National Monument. For purposes of this section, the term impair shall include any diminution of the affected land including wildlife, scenic assets, water resources, air quality, and acoustic qualities, or other changes that would impair a citizen’s experience at the National Park or National Monument.
D Administrative and Miscellaneous Provisions
Sec. 141 Policy functions
Minerals policy— Section 101 of the Mining and Minerals Policy Act of 1970 (30 U.S.C. 21a) is amended—
in the first sentence by inserting before the period at the end the following: “and to ensure that mineral extraction and processing not cause undue degradation of the natural and cultural resources of the public lands”; and
by adding at the end thereof the following: “It shall also be the responsibility of the Secretary of Agriculture to carry out the policy provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this section.”.
Mineral data— Section 5(e)(3) of the National Materials and Minerals Policy, Research and Development Act of 1980 (30 U.S.C. 1604(e)(3)) is amended by inserting before the period the following: “, except that for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture shall promptly initiate actions to improve the availability and analysis of mineral data in public land use decisionmaking”.
Sec. 142 User fees
In general— The Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture may each establish and collect from persons subject to the requirements of this title such user fees as may be necessary to reimburse the United States for expenses incurred in administering such requirements. Fees may be assessed and collected under this section only in such manner as may reasonably be expected to result in an aggregate amount of the fees collected during any fiscal year which does not exceed the aggregate amount of administrative expenses referred to in this section.
Adjustment—
The Secretary shall adjust the fees required by this section to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor every 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, or more frequently if the Secretary determines an adjustment to be reasonable.
The Secretary shall provide claimants notice of any adjustment made under this subsection not later than July 1 of any year in which the adjustment is made.
A fee adjustment under this subsection shall begin to apply the calendar year following the calendar year in which it is made.
Sec. 143 Inspection and monitoring
Inspections—
The Secretary, or for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture, shall make inspections of mineral activities so as to ensure compliance with the requirements of this title.
The Secretary concerned shall establish a frequency of inspections for mineral activities conducted under a permit issued under subtitle C, but in no event shall such inspection frequency be less than one complete inspection per calendar quarter or, two per calendar quarter in the case of a permit for which the Secretary concerned approves an application under section 134(f) (relating to temporary cessation of operations). After revegetation has been established in accordance with a reclamation plan, such Secretary shall conduct annually two complete inspections. Such Secretary shall have the discretion to modify the inspection frequency for mineral activities that are conducted on a seasonal basis. Inspections shall continue under this subsection until final release of financial assurance.
Any person who has reason to believe he or she is or may be adversely affected by mineral activities due to any violation of the requirements of a permit approved under this title may request an inspection. The Secretary, or for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture, shall determine within 10 working days of receipt of the request whether the request states a reason to believe that a violation exists. If the person alleges and provides reason to believe that an imminent threat to the environment or danger to the health or safety of the public exists, the 10-day period shall be waived and the inspection shall be conducted immediately. The identity of the person supplying information to the Secretary relating to a possible violation or imminent danger or harm shall remain confidential with the Secretary if so requested by that person.
The Secretaries shall, by joint rule, establish procedures for the review of (i) any decision by an authorized representative not to inspect; or (ii) any refusal by such representative to ensure that remedial actions are taken with respect to any alleged violation. The Secretary concerned shall furnish such persons requesting the review a written statement of the reasons for the Secretary’s final disposition of the case.
Monitoring—
The Secretary, or for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture, shall require all operators to develop and maintain a monitoring and evaluation system that shall identify compliance with all requirements of a permit approved under this title. The Secretary concerned may require additional monitoring to be conducted as necessary to assure compliance with the reclamation and other environmental standards of this title. Such plan must be reviewed and approved by the Secretary and shall become a part of the explorations or operations permit.
The operator shall file reports with the Secretary, or for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture, on a frequency determined by the Secretary concerned, on the results of the monitoring and evaluation process, except that if the monitoring and evaluation show a violation of the requirements of a permit approved under this title, it shall be reported immediately to the Secretary concerned. The Secretary shall evaluate the reports submitted pursuant to this paragraph, and based on those reports and any necessary inspection shall take enforcement action pursuant to this section. Such reports shall be maintained by the operator and by the Secretary and shall be made available to the public.
The Secretary, or for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture, shall determine what information shall be reported by the operator pursuant to paragraph (2). A failure to report as required by the Secretary concerned shall constitute a violation of this title and subject the operator to enforcement action pursuant to section 146.
Sec. 144 Citizens suits
In general— Except as provided in subsection (b), any person may commence a civil action on his or her own behalf to compel compliance—
against any person (including the Secretary or the Secretary of Agriculture) who is alleged to be in violation of any of the provisions of this title or any regulation promulgated pursuant to subtitle C of this title or any term or condition of any permit issued under subtitle C of this title; or
against the Secretary or the Secretary of Agriculture where there is alleged a failure of such Secretary to perform any act or duty under this title, or to promulgate any regulation under this title, which is not within the discretion of the Secretary concerned.
Exceptions—
No action may be commenced under subsection (a) before the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date the plaintiff has given notice in writing of such alleged violation to the alleged violator and the Secretary, or for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture, except that any such action may be brought immediately after such notification if the violation complained of constitutes an imminent threat to the environment or to the health or safety of the public.
No action may be brought against any person other than the Secretary or the Secretary of Agriculture under subsection (a)(1) if such Secretary has commenced and is diligently prosecuting a civil or criminal action in a court of the United States to require compliance.
No action may be commenced under paragraph (2) of subsection (a) against either Secretary to review any rule promulgated by, or to any permit issued or denied by such Secretary if such rule or permit issuance or denial is judicially reviewable under any provision of law at any time after such promulgation, issuance, or denial is final.
Venue— Venue of all actions brought under this section shall be determined in accordance with section 1391 of title 28, United States Code.
Costs— The court, in issuing any final order in any action brought pursuant to this section may award costs of litigation (including attorney and expert witness fees) to any prevailing or substantially prevailing party whenever the court determines such award is appropriate. The court may, if a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction is sought, require the filing of a bond or equivalent security in accordance with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Savings clause— Nothing in this section shall restrict any right which any person (or class of persons) may have under chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code, under this section, or under any other statute or common law to bring an action to seek any relief against the Secretary or the Secretary of Agriculture or against any other person, including any action for any violation of this title or of any regulation or permit issued under this title or for any failure to act as required by law. Nothing in this section shall affect the jurisdiction of any court under any provision of title 28, United States Code, including any action for any violation of this title or of any regulation or permit issued under this title or for any failure to act as required by law.
Sec. 145 Administrative and judicial review
Review by secretary—
Any person issued a notice of violation or cessation order under section 146, or any person having an interest which is or may be adversely affected by such notice or order, may apply to the Secretary, or for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture, for review of the notice or order.
Any person who is subject to a penalty assessed under section 146 may apply to the Secretary concerned for review of the assessment.
Any person may apply to such Secretary for review of the decision.
Pending a review by the Secretary or resolution of an administrative appeal, final decisions (except enforcement actions under section 146) shall be stayed.
The Secretary concerned shall provide an opportunity for a public hearing at the request of any party to the proceeding as specified in paragraph (1). The filing of an application for review under this subsection shall not operate as a stay of any order or notice issued under section 146.
For any review proceeding under this subsection, the Secretary concerned shall make findings of fact and shall issue a written decision incorporating therein an order vacating, affirming, modifying, or terminating the notice, order, or decision, or with respect to an assessment, the amount of penalty that is warranted.
Pending completion of any review proceedings under this subsection, the applicant may file with the Secretary, or for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture, a written request that the Secretary grant temporary relief from any order issued under section 146 together with a detailed statement giving reasons for such relief. The Secretary concerned shall expeditiously issue an order or decision granting or denying such relief. The Secretary concerned may grant such relief under such conditions as he or she may prescribe only if such relief shall not adversely affect the health or safety of the public or cause imminent environmental harm to land, air, or water resources.
The availability of review under this subsection shall not be construed to limit the operation of rights under section 144 (relating to citizen suits).
Costs— Whenever a proceeding occurs under subsection (a), at the request of any person, a sum equal to the aggregate amount of all costs and expenses (including attorney fees) as determined by the Secretary or Secretaries concerned or the court to have been reasonably incurred by such person for or in connection with participation in such proceedings, including any judicial review of the proceeding, may be assessed against either party as the court, in the case of judicial review, or the Secretary or Secretaries concerned in the case of administrative proceedings, deems proper if it is determined that such party prevailed in whole or in part, achieving some success on the merits, and that such party made a substantial contribution to a full and fair determination of the issues.
Sec. 146 Enforcement
Orders—
If the Secretary, or for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture, or an authorized representative of such Secretary, determines that any person is in violation of any environmental protection requirement under subtitle C or any regulation issued by the Secretaries to implement this title, such Secretary or authorized representative shall issue to such person a notice of violation describing the violation and the corrective measures to be taken. The Secretary concerned, or the authorized representative of such Secretary, shall provide such person with a period of time not to exceed 30 days to abate the violation. Such period of time may be extended by the Secretary concerned upon a showing of good cause by such person. If, upon the expiration of time provided for such abatement, the Secretary concerned, or the authorized representative of such Secretary, finds that the violation has not been abated he or she shall immediately order a cessation of all mineral activities or the portion thereof relevant to the violation.
If the Secretary concerned, or the authorized representative of the Secretary concerned, determines that any condition or practice exists, or that any person is in violation of any requirement under a permit approved under this title, and such condition, practice or violation is causing, or can reasonably be expected to cause—
an imminent danger to the health or safety of the public; or
significant, imminent environmental harm to land, air, water, or fish or wildlife resources,
A cessation order pursuant to paragraphs (1) or (2) shall remain in effect until such Secretary, or authorized representative, determines that the condition, practice, or violation has been abated, or until modified, vacated or terminated by the Secretary or authorized representative. In any such order, the Secretary or authorized representative shall determine the steps necessary to abate the violation in the most expeditious manner possible and shall include the necessary measures in the order. The Secretary concerned shall require appropriate financial assurances to ensure that the abatement obligations are met.
Any notice or order issued pursuant to paragraphs (1) or (2) may be modified, vacated, or terminated by the Secretary concerned or an authorized representative of such Secretary. Any person to whom any such notice or order is issued shall be entitled to a hearing on the record.
If, after 30 days of the date of the order referred to in paragraph (3)(A) the required abatement has not occurred, the Secretary concerned shall take such alternative enforcement action against the claim holder or operator (or any person who controls the claim holder or operator) as will most likely bring about abatement in the most expeditious manner possible. Such alternative enforcement action may include, but is not necessarily limited to, seeking appropriate injunctive relief to bring about abatement. Nothing in this paragraph shall preclude the Secretary, or for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture, from taking alternative enforcement action prior to the expiration of 30 days.
If a claim holder or operator (or any person who controls the claim holder or operator) fails to abate a violation or defaults on the terms of the permit, the Secretary, or for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture, shall forfeit the financial assurance for the plan as necessary to ensure abatement and reclamation under this title. The Secretary concerned may prescribe conditions under which a surety may perform reclamation in accordance with the approved plan in lieu of forfeiture.
The Secretary, or for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture, shall not cause forfeiture of the financial assurance while administrative or judicial review is pending.
In the event of forfeiture, the claim holder, operator, or any affiliate thereof, as appropriate as determined by the Secretary by rule, shall be jointly and severally liable for any remaining reclamation obligations under this title.
Compliance— The Secretary, or for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture, may request the Attorney General to institute a civil action for relief, including a permanent or temporary injunction or restraining order, or any other appropriate enforcement order, including the imposition of civil penalties, in the district court of the United States for the district in which the mineral activities are located whenever a person—
violates, fails, or refuses to comply with any order issued by the Secretary concerned under subsection (a); or
interferes with, hinders, or delays the Secretary concerned in carrying out an inspection under section 143.
Delegation— Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary may utilize personnel of the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement to ensure compliance with the requirements of this title.
Penalties—
Any person who fails to comply with any requirement of a permit approved under this title or any regulation issued by the Secretaries to implement this title shall be liable for a penalty of not more than $25,000 per violation. Each day of violation may be deemed a separate violation for purposes of penalty assessments.
A person who fails to correct a violation for which a cessation order has been issued under subsection (a) within the period permitted for its correction shall be assessed a civil penalty of not less than $1,000 per violation for each day during which such failure continues.
Whenever a corporation is in violation of a requirement of a permit approved under this title or any regulation issued by the Secretaries to implement this title or fails or refuses to comply with an order issued under subsection (a), any director, officer, or agent of such corporation who knowingly authorized, ordered, or carried out such violation, failure, or refusal shall be subject to the same penalties as may be imposed upon the person referred to in paragraph (1).
Suspensions or revocations— The Secretary, or for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture, shall suspend or revoke a permit issued under subtitle C, in whole or in part, if the operator—
knowingly made or knowingly makes any false, inaccurate, or misleading material statement in any mining claim, notice of location, application, record, report, plan, or other document filed or required to be maintained under this title;
fails to abate a violation covered by a cessation order issued under subsection (a);
fails to comply with an order of the Secretary concerned;
refuses to permit an audit pursuant to this title;
fails to maintain an adequate financial assurance under section 136;
fails to pay claim maintenance fees or other moneys due and owing under this title; or
with regard to plans conditionally approved under section 135(c)(2), fails to abate a violation to the satisfaction of the Secretary concerned, or if the validity of the violation is upheld on the appeal which formed the basis for the conditional approval.
False statements; tampering— Any person who knowingly—
makes any false material statement, representation, or certification in, or omits or conceals material information from, or unlawfully alters, any mining claim, notice of location, application, record, report, plan, or other documents filed or required to be maintained under this title; or
falsifies, tampers with, renders inaccurate, or fails to install any monitoring device or method required to be maintained under this title,
Knowing violations— Any person who knowingly—
engages in mineral activities without a permit required under subtitle C; or
violates any other requirement of a permit issued under this title, or any condition or limitation thereof,
Knowing and willful violations— Any person who knowingly and willfully commits an act for which a civil penalty is provided in paragraph (1) of subsection (g) shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not more than $50,000.
Definition— For purposes of this section, the term person includes any officer, agent, or employee of a person.
Adjustment of penalties— The Secretary may adjust the penalties described in this section as necessary.
Sec. 147 Regulations
The Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture shall issue such regulations as are necessary to implement this title. The regulations implementing subtitle B, subtitle C, subtitle D, and subtitle E that affect the Forest Service shall be joint regulations issued by both Secretaries, and shall be issued no later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
Sec. 148 Effective date
This title shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act, except as otherwise provided in this title.
Sec. 149 Savings clause
Special Application of mining laws— Nothing in this title shall be construed as repealing or modifying any Federal law, regulation, order, or land use plan, in effect prior to the date of enactment of this Act that prohibits or restricts the application of the general mining laws, including laws that provide for special management criteria for operations under the general mining laws as in effect prior to the date of enactment of this Act, to the extent such laws provide for protection of natural and cultural resources and the environment greater than required under this title, and any such prior law shall remain in force and effect with respect to claims located (or proposed to be located) or converted under this title. Nothing in this title shall be construed as applying to or limiting mineral investigations, studies, or other mineral activities conducted by any Federal or State agency acting in its governmental capacity pursuant to other authority. Nothing in this title shall affect or limit any assessment, investigation, evaluation, or listing pursuant to the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.), or the Solid Waste Disposal Act (42 U.S.C. 3251 et seq.).
Effect on other Federal laws— The provisions of this title shall supersede the general mining laws, except for those parts of the general mining laws respecting location of mining claims that are not expressly modified by this title. Except for the general mining laws, nothing in this title shall be construed as superseding, modifying, amending, or repealing any provision of Federal law not expressly superseded, modified, amended, or repealed by this title. Nothing in this title shall be construed as altering, affecting, amending, modifying, or changing, directly or indirectly, any law which refers to and provides authorities or responsibilities for, or is administered by, the Environmental Protection Agency or the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, including the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, title XIV of the Public Health Service Act (the Safe Drinking Water Act), the Clean Air Act, the Pollution Prevention Act of 1990, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act, the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, the Atomic Energy Act, the Noise Control Act of 1972, the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, the Ocean Dumping Act, the Environmental Research, Development, and Demonstration Authorization Act, the Pollution Prosecution Act of 1990, and the Federal Facilities Compliance Act of 1992, or any statute containing an amendment to any of such Acts. Nothing in this title shall be construed as modifying or affecting any provision of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (Public Law 101–601) or any provision of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (42 U.S.C. 1996), the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470 et seq.), and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 2000bb et seq.).
Protection of conservation areas— In order to protect the resources and values of National Conservation System units, the Secretary, as appropriate, shall utilize authority under this title and other applicable law to the fullest extent necessary to prevent mineral activities that could have an adverse impact on the resources or values for which such units were established.
Sovereign immunity of indian tribes— Nothing in this section shall be construed so as to waive the sovereign immunity of any Indian tribe.
Sec. 150 Availability of public records
Copies of records, reports, inspection materials, or information obtained by the Secretary or the Secretary of Agriculture under this title shall be made available to the public, consistent with section 552 of title 5, United States Code, in central and sufficient locations in the county, multicounty, and State area of mineral activity or reclamation so that such items are conveniently available to residents in the area proposed or approved for mineral activities and on the Internet.
Sec. 151 Miscellaneous powers
In general— In carrying out his or her duties under this title, the Secretary, or for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture, may conduct any investigation, inspection, or other inquiry necessary and appropriate and may conduct, after notice, any hearing or audit, necessary and appropriate to carrying out his or her duties.
Ancillary powers— In connection with any hearing, inquiry, investigation, or audit under this title, the Secretary, or for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture, is authorized to take any of the following actions:
Require, by special or general order, any person to submit in writing such affidavits and answers to questions as the Secretary concerned may reasonably prescribe, which submission shall be made within such reasonable period and under oath or otherwise, as may be necessary.
Administer oaths.
Require by subpoena the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of all books, papers, records, documents, matter, and materials, as such Secretary may request.
Order testimony to be taken by deposition before any person who is designated by such Secretary and who has the power to administer oaths, and to compel testimony and the production of evidence in the same manner as authorized under paragraph (3) of this subsection.
Pay witnesses the same fees and mileage as are paid in like circumstances in the courts of the United States.
Enforcement— In cases of refusal to obey a subpoena served upon any person under this section, the district court of the United States for any district in which such person is found, resides, or transacts business, upon application by the Attorney General at the request of the Secretary concerned and after notice to such person, shall have jurisdiction to issue an order requiring such person to appear and produce documents before the Secretary concerned. Any failure to obey such order of the court may be punished by such court as contempt thereof and subject to a penalty of up to $10,000 a day.
Entry and access— Without advance notice and upon presentation of appropriate credentials, the Secretary, or for National Forest System lands the Secretary of Agriculture, or any authorized representative thereof—
shall have the right of entry to, upon, or through the site of any claim, mineral activities, or any premises in which any records required to be maintained under this title are located;
may at reasonable times, and without delay, have access to records, inspect any monitoring equipment, or review any method of operation required under this title;
may engage in any work and do all things necessary or expedient to implement and administer the provisions of this title;
may, on any mining claim located under the general mining laws and maintained in compliance with this title, and without advance notice, stop, and inspect any motorized form of transportation that such Secretary has probable cause to believe is carrying locatable minerals, concentrates, or products derived therefrom from a claim site for the purpose of determining whether the operator of such vehicle has documentation related to such locatable minerals, concentrates, or products derived therefrom as required by law, if such documentation is required under this title; and
may, if accompanied by any appropriate law enforcement officer, or an appropriate law enforcement officer alone, stop and inspect any motorized form of transportation which is not on a claim site if he or she has probable cause to believe such vehicle is carrying locatable minerals, concentrates, or products derived therefrom from a claim site on Federal lands or allocated to such claim site. Such inspection shall be for the purpose of determining whether the operator of such vehicle has the documentation required by law, if such documentation is required under this title.
Sec. 152 Multiple mineral development and surface resources
The provisions of sections 4 and 6 of the Act of August 13, 1954 (30 U.S.C. 524 and 526), commonly known as the Multiple Minerals Development Act, and the provisions of section 4 of the Act of July 23, 1955 (30 U.S.C. 612), shall apply to all mining claims located under the general mining laws and maintained in compliance with such laws and this title.
Sec. 153 Mineral materials
by inserting “(a)” before the first sentence;
by inserting “mineral materials, including” after “varieties of” in the first sentence;
by striking “or cinders” and inserting in lieu thereof “cinders, and clay”; and
by adding the following new subsection at the end thereof:
“(b)
“(1) Subject to valid existing rights, after the date of enactment of the Mining Reform and Deficit Reduction Act of 2013, notwithstanding the reference to common varieties in subsection (a) and to the exception to such term relating to a deposit of materials with some property giving it distinct and special value, all deposits of mineral materials referred to in such subsection, including the block pumice referred to in such subsection, shall be subject to disposal only under the terms and conditions of the Materials Act of 1947.
“(2) For purposes of paragraph (1), the term valid existing rights means that a mining claim located for any such mineral material—
“(A) had and still has some property giving it the distinct and special value referred to in subsection (a), or as the case may be, met the definition of block pumice referred to in such subsection;
“(B) was properly located and maintained under the general mining laws prior to the date of enactment of the Mining Reform and Deficit Reduction Act of 2013;
“(C) was supported by a discovery of a valuable mineral deposit within the meaning of the general mining laws as in effect immediately prior to the date of enactment of the Mining Reform and Deficit Reduction Act of 2013; and
“(D) that such claim continues to be valid under this Act.”
Mineral materials disposal clarification— Section 4 of the Act of July 23, 1955 (30 U.S.C. 612), is amended—
in subsection (b) by inserting “and mineral material” after “vegetative”; and
in subsection (c) by inserting “and mineral material” after “vegetative”.
Conforming amendment— Section 1 of the Act of July 31, 1947, entitled “An Act to provide for the disposal of materials on the public lands of the United States” (30 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) is amended by striking “common varieties of” in the first sentence.
Short titles—
Surface resources— The Act of July 23, 1955, is amended by inserting after section 7 the following new section:
“8.
“This Act may be cited as the Surface Resources Act of 1955.”
Mineral materials— The Act of July 31, 1947, entitled “An Act to provide for the disposal of materials on the public lands of the United States” (30 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 4 the following new section:
“5.
“This Act may be cited as the Materials Act of 1947.”
Repeals—
Subject to valid existing rights, the Act of August 4, 1892 (27 Stat. 348, 30 U.S.C. 161), commonly known as the Building Stone Act, is hereby repealed.
Subject to valid existing rights, the Act of January 31, 1901 (30 U.S.C. 162), commonly known as the Saline Placer Act, is hereby repealed.