Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 94 Part 2.djvu/1178

 PUBLIC LAW 96-487—DEC. 2, 1980

94 STAT. 2456

Exploration plan.

Operation suspension and cancellation.

leasing in the area and shall determine the favorable petroleum geological province in proximity to such discovery. All further leasing in such area shall be in accordance with the requirements of subsection (d) of this section. (f) Prior to any exploration activities on a lease issued pursuant to this section, the Secretary shall require the lessee to describe exploration activities in an exploration plan. He shall approve such plan if such activities can be conducted in conformity with such requirements as may be made by the Secretary for the protection and use of the land for the purpose for which it is managed under applicable law. (g) Subsequent to a discovery of oil or gas in paying quantities, and prior to developing and producing such oil and gas, the Secretary shall require the lessee to describe development and production activities in a development and production plan. He shall approve such plan if such activities may be conducted in conformity with such requirements as may be made by the Secretary for the protection and use of the land for the purpose for which it is managed under applicable law. (h) The Secretary shall monitor the performance of the lessee and, if he determines that due to significant changes in circumstances regarding that operation, including environmental or economic changes, new requirements are needed, he may require a revised development and production plan. (i) If the Secretary determines that immediate and irreparable damage will result from continuation in force of a lease, that the threat will not disappear and that the advantages of cancellation outweigh the advantages of continuation in force of a lease, he shall suspend operations for up to five years. If such a threat persists beyond such five-year suspension period, he shall cancel a lease and provide compensation to the lease under such terms as the Secretary establishes, by regulation, to be appropriate. OIL AND GAS LEASE APPLICATIONS

16 USC 3149.

SEC. 1009. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation, whenever the Secretary receives an application for an oil 30 USC 181 note, and gas lease pursuant to the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 for lands in Alaska within a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System which are not also part of the National Wilderness Preservation System he shall, in addition to any other requirements of applicable law, follow the procedures set forth in this section. (b) Any decision to issue or not to issue a lease shall be accompanied by a statement setting forth the reasons for the decision, including the reasons why oil and gas leasing would be compatible or incompatible with the purposes of the refuge. (c) If the Secretary determines that the requirements of section 42 USC 4332. 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 do not apply to his decision, the Secretary shall render his decision within six months after receipt of a lease application. If such requirements are applicable to the Secretary's decision, he shall render his decision within three months after publication of the final environmental impact statement. ALASKA MINERAL RESOURCE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM

16 USC 3150.

1010. (a) MINERAL ASSESSMENTS.—The Secretary shall, to the full extent of his authority, assess the oil, gas, and other mineral SEC

�