Amends Federal law regarding stock-raising homesteads to require a written notice to the surface owner before a person may enter lands for exploration purposes or to locate a mining claim. Provides for an authorized exploration period during which exploring and locating a mining claim may be conducted with minimal surface disruption, but no road construction, use of explosives, mechanical earth moving equipment, or hazardous materials. Limits the total acreage that may be covered at any time by notices of intention to locate a claim.
Prohibits any mineral exploration or development activities without the surface owner's written consent unless the Secretary of the Interior (the Secretary) has authorized them according to prescribed guidelines which include posting a surety bond to insure: (1) completion of surface reclamation; (2) compensation to the surface owner for permanent damages to crops and tangible improvements; and (3) compensation for permanent loss of income by the surface owner due to impaired land use.
Prohibits the Secretary from authorizing any mineral activities unless a plan of operations has been submitted meeting specified criteria, including: (1) minimization of damages to crops and tangible improvements of the surface owner, and of disruption to grazing or other land use by the surface owner; and (2) payment of a fee to the surface owner, equivalent to the loss of income to the ranch operation. Directs the Secretary to submit such plan of operations for the surface owner's comments and modifications before determining whether the plan complies with this Act.
Requires reclamation of land to return it, as contemporaneously as practicable with the conduct of mineral activities, to a condition capable of supporting the uses which it was capable of supporting before surface disturbance.
Authorizes any surface owner to request an inspection if such owner has reason to believe that he may be adversely affected due to any violation of an approved plan of operations.
Authorizes a surface owner to bring an action in Federal district court for damages resulting from non-compliance with this Act.
Authorizes the Secretary, upon petition by the surface owner, to provide compensation for damages through payment of all or part of any bond or other financial guarantee required under this Act.
Requires the Secretary to simplify the procedure for surface owners who apply to obtain title to Federal interests in lands subject to the Stock Raising Homestead Act.
Directs the Secretary to report to the Congress within two years on the acquisition of mineral interests after enactment of this Act by foreign firms on lands subject to the 1916 Stock Raising Homestead Act.
Laid on the table. See S. 1187 for further action.
Passed Senate with amendments by Voice Vote.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Referred to the House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Mining and Natural Resources.
Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs discharged.
Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs discharged.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 561.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 450 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered except motion to recommit. Measure will be read by section. Bill is open to amendments. After passage of H.R. 450, the Committee on Interior shall be discharged from further consideration of S. 1187, and it shall be in order in the House to move to strike all after the enacting clause of the Senate bill and to insert in lieu the provisions of H.R. 450 as passed by the House. If agreed to, it shall then be in order to move to insist on the House amendment and to request a conference withthe Senate.
The House struck all after the enacting clause and inserted in lieu thereof the provisions of a similar measure H.R. 450. Agreed to without objection.
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Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.
On passage Passed without objection.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
The title of the measure was amended to that of similar measure H.R. 450. Agreed to without objection.
A similar measure H.R. 450 was laid on the table without objection.
Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendments to Senate bill.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate concurred in the House amendments with amendment (SP 3426) by Voice Vote.
Senate concurred in the House amendments with amendment (SP 3426) by Voice Vote.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.