[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 43, Volume 1]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 43CFR23.1]

[Page 437]
 
                    TITLE 43--PUBLIC LANDS: INTERIOR
 
PART 23--SURFACE EXPLORATION, MINING AND RECLAMATION OF LANDS--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 23.1  Purpose.

    It is the policy of this Department to encourage the development of 
the mineral resources under its jurisdiction where mining is authorized. 
However, the public interest requires that, with respect to the 
exploration for, and the surface mining of, such minerals, adequate 
measures be taken to avoid, minimize, or correct damage to the 
environment--land, water, and air--and to avoid, minimize, or correct 
hazards to the public health and safety. The regulations in this part 
prescribe procedures to that end.