§ 1023. — Rules and regulations; scope of provisions.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 30USC1023]
TITLE 30--MINERAL LANDS AND MINING
CHAPTER 23--GEOTHERMAL STEAM AND ASSOCIATED GEOTHERMAL RESOURCES
Sec. 1023. Rules and regulations; scope of provisions
The Secretary shall prescribe such rules and regulations as he may
deem appropriate to carry out the provisions of this chapter. Such
regulations may include, without limitation, provisions for (a) the
prevention of waste, (b) development and conservation of geothermal and
other natural resources, (c) the protection of the public interest, (d)
assignment, segregation, extension of terms, relinquishment of leases,
development contracts, unitization, pooling, and drilling agreements,
(e) compensatory royalty agreements, suspension of operations or
production, and suspension or reduction of rentals or royalties, (f) the
filing of surety bonds to assure compliance with the terms of the lease
and to protect surface use and resources, (g) use of the surface by a
lessee of the lands embraced in his lease, (h) the maintenance by the
lessee of an active development program, and (i) protection of water
quality and other environmental qualities.
(Pub. L. 91-581, Sec. 24, Dec. 24, 1970, 84 Stat. 1573.)
Transfer of Functions
Functions of Secretary of the Interior to promulgate regulations
under this chapter relating to fostering of competition for Federal
leases, implementation of alternative bidding systems authorized for
award of Federal leases, establishment of diligence requirements for
operations conducted on Federal leases, setting of rates for production
of Federal leases, and specifying of procedures, terms, and conditions
for acquisition and disposition of Federal royalty interests taken in
kind, transferred to Secretary of Energy by section 7152(b) of Title 42,
The Public Health and Welfare. Section 7152(b) of Title 42 was repealed
by Pub. L. 97-100, title II, Sec. 201, Dec. 23, 1981, 95 Stat. 1407, and
functions of Secretary of Energy returned to Secretary of the Interior.
See House Report No. 97-315, pp. 25, 26, Nov. 5, 1981.