30 U.S.C. § 208-1 : US Code - Section 208-1: Exploratory program for evaluation of known recoverable coal resources

Search 30 U.S.C. § 208-1 : US Code - Section 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.