Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 119.djvu/727

 PUBLIC LAW 109–58—AUG. 8, 2005

119 STAT. 709

(8) ensure through appropriate peer review that the science conducted by participating agencies and organizations is of the highest technical quality. (c) MEMBERSHIP.— (1) IN GENERAL.—To ensure comprehensive collection of scientific data, in carrying out the Initiative, the Secretary shall consult and coordinate with Federal, State, and local agencies that have responsibilities for land and resource management across the North Slope. (2) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.—The Secretary shall enter into cooperative agreements with the State of Alaska, the North Slope Borough, the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, and other Federal agencies as appropriate to coordinate efforts, share resources, and fund projects under this section. (d) SCIENCE TECHNICAL ADVISORY PANEL.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The Initiative shall include a panel to provide advice on proposed inventory, monitoring, and research functions. (2) MEMBERSHIP.—The panel described in paragraph (1) shall consist of a representative group of not more than 15 scientists and technical experts from diverse professions and interests, including the oil and gas industry, subsistence users, Native Alaskan entities, conservation organizations, wildlife management organizations, and academia, as determined by the Secretary. (e) REPORTS.—Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this section and each year thereafter, the Secretary shall publish a report that describes the studies and findings of the Initiative. (f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.

Establishment.

SEC. 349. ORPHANED, ABANDONED, OR IDLED WELLS ON FEDERAL LAND.

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, in cooperation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall establish a program not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act to remediate, reclaim, and close orphaned, abandoned, or idled oil and gas wells located on land administered by the land management agencies within the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture. (b) ACTIVITIES.—The program under subsection (a) shall— (1) include a means of ranking orphaned, abandoned, or idled wells sites for priority in remediation, reclamation, and closure, based on public health and safety, potential environmental harm, and other land use priorities; (2) provide for identification and recovery of the costs of remediation, reclamation, and closure from persons or other entities currently providing a bond or other financial assurance required under State or Federal law for an oil or gas well that is orphaned, abandoned, or idled; and (3) provide for recovery from the persons or entities identified under paragraph (2), or their sureties or guarantors, of the costs of remediation, reclamation, and closure of such wells. (c) COOPERATION AND CONSULTATIONS.—In carrying out the program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall—

VerDate 14-DEC-2004

42 USC 15907. Deadline.

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