§ 208-1. — Exploratory program for evaluation of known recoverable coal resources.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 30USC208-1]
TITLE 30--MINERAL LANDS AND MINING
CHAPTER 3A--LEASES AND PROSPECTING PERMITS
SUBCHAPTER II--COAL
Sec. 208-1. Exploratory program for evaluation of known
recoverable coal resources
(a) Authorization; purpose
The Secretary is authorized and directed to conduct a comprehensive
exploratory program designed to obtain sufficient data and information
to evaluate the extent, location, and potential for developing the known
recoverable coal resources within the coal lands subject to this
chapter. This program shall be designed to obtain the resource
information necessary for determining whether commercial quantities of
coal are present and the geographical extent of the coal fields and for
estimating the amount of such coal which is recoverable by deep mining
operations and the amount of such coal which is recoverable by surface
mining operations in order to provide a basis for--
(1) developing a comprehensive land use plan pursuant to section
2;
(2) improving the information regarding the value of public
resources and revenues which should be expected from leasing;
(3) increasing competition among producers of coal, or products
derived from the conversion of coal, by providing data and
information to all potential bidders equally and equitably;
(4) providing the public with information on the nature of the
coal deposits and the associated stratum and the value of the public
resources being offered for sale; and
(5) providing the basis for the assessment of the amount of coal
deposits in those lands subject to this chapter under subparagraph
(B) of section 201(a)(3) of this title.
(b) Seismic, geophysical, geochemical or stratigraphic drilling
The Secretary, through the United States Geological Survey, is
authorized to conduct seismic, geophysical, geochemical, or
stratigraphic drilling, or to contract for or purchase the results of
such exploratory activities from commercial or other sources which may
be needed to implement the provisions of this section.
(c) Exploratory drilling by party not under contract to United States;
confidentiality of information prior to award of lease
Nothing in this section shall limit any person from conducting
exploratory geophysical surveys including seismic, geophysical, chemical
surveys to the extent permitted by section 201(b) of this title. The
information obtained from the exploratory drilling carried out by a
person not under contract with the United States Government for such
drilling prior to award of a lease shall be provided the confidentiality
pursuant to subsection (d) of this section.
(d) Availability to public of all data, information, maps, surveys;
confidentiality of information purchased from commercial sources
not under contract to United States prior to award of lease
The Secretary shall make available to the public by appropriate
means all data, information, maps, interpretations, and surveys which
are obtained directly by the Department of the Interior or under a
service contract pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. The
Secretary shall maintain a confidentiality of all proprietary data or
information purchased from commercial sources while not under contract
with the United States Government until after the areas involved have
been leased.
(e) Information or data from Federal departments or agencies;
confidentiality of proprietary information or data; utilization
of Federal departments and agencies by agreement
All Federal departments or agencies are authorized and directed to
provide the Secretary with any information or data that may be deemed
necessary to assist the Secretary in implementing the exploratory
program pursuant to this section. Proprietary information or data
provided to the Secretary under the provisions of this subsection shall
remain confidential for such period of time as agreed to by the head of
the department or agency from whom the information is requested. In
addition, the Secretary is authorized and directed to utilize the
existing capabilities and resources of other Federal departments and
agencies by appropriate agreement.
(f) Publication of geological and geophysical maps and reports of lands
offered for lease
The Secretary is directed to prepare, publish, and keep current a
series of detailed geological, and geophysical maps of, and reports
concerning, all coal lands to be offered for leasing under this chapter,
based on data and information compiled pursuant to this section. Such
maps and reports shall be prepared and revised at reasonable intervals
beginning eighteen months after the date of enactment of this Act. Such
maps and reports shall be made available on a continuing basis to any
person on request.
(g) Implementation plan for coal lands exploration program; development
and transmittal to Congress; contents
Within six months after the date of enactment of this Act, the
Secretary shall develop and transmit to Congress an implementation plan
for the coal lands exploration program authorized by this section,
including procedures for making the data and information available to
the public pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, and maps and
reports pursuant to subsection (f) of this section. The implementation
plan shall include a projected schedule of exploratory activities and
identification of the regions and areas which will be explored under the
coal lands exploration program during the first five years following the
enactment of this section. In addition, the implementation plan shall
include estimates of the appropriations and staffing required to
implement the coal lands exploration program.
(h) Stratigraphic drilling; scope; statement of results
The stratigraphic drilling authorized in subsection (b) of this
section shall be carried out in such a manner as to obtain information
pertaining to all recoverable reserves. For the purpose of complying
with subsection (a) of this section, the Secretary shall require all
those authorized to conduct stratigraphic drilling pursuant to
subsection (b) of this section to supply a statement of the results of
test boring of core sampling including logs of the drill holes; the
thickness of the coal seams found; an analysis of the chemical
properties of such coal; and an analysis of the strata layers lying
above all the seams of coal. All drilling activities shall be conducted
using the best current technology and practices.
(Feb. 25, 1920, ch. 85, Sec. 8A, as added Pub. L. 94-377, Sec. 7, Aug.
4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1087.)
References in Text
Section 2, referred to in subsec. (a)(1), means section 2 of act
Feb. 25, 1920, as amended, and is comprised of subsecs. (a) to (d).
Subsecs. (a) and (b) of section 2 are classified to section 201 of this
title, subsec. (c) of section 2 is classified to section 202 of this
title, and subsec. (d) of section 2, as added by section 5(b) of Pub. L.
94-377, is classified to section 202a of this title.
The date of enactment of this Act, referred to in subsecs. (f) and
(g), probably means the date of enactment of Pub. L. 94-377, which was
approved Aug. 4, 1976.
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in section 1272 of this title.
