[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 43, Volume 2]

[Revised as of October 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 43CFR3800]



[Page 753]

 

                    TITLE 43--PUBLIC LANDS: INTERIOR

 

    CHAPTER II--BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

 

PART 3800_MINING CLAIMS UNDER THE GENERAL MINING LAWS--Table of Contents

 

     Subpart 3802_Exploration and Mining, Wilderness Review Program

 

Sec.  3802.3-1  Environmental assessment.



    (a) When a plan of operations or significant modification is filed, 

the authorized officer shall make an environmental assessment to 

identify the impacts of the proposed mining operations upon the 

environment and to determine whether the proposed activity will impair 

the suitability of the area for preservation as wilderness or cause 

unnecessary and undue degradation and whether an environmental impact 

statement is required.

    (b) Following completion of the environmental assessment or the 

environmental impact statement, the authorized officer shall develop 

measures deemed necessary for inclusion in the plan of operations that 

will prevent impairment of wilderness suitability and undue or 

unnecessary degradation of land and resources.

    (c) If as a result of the environment assessment, the authorized 

officer determines that there is substantial public interest in the 

proposed mining operations, the operator may be notified that an 

additional period of time is required to consider public comments. The 

period shall not exceed the additional 60 days provided for approval of 

a plan in Sec.  3802.1-4 of this title except as provided for cases 

requiring an environmental impact statement, a cultural resource 

inventory or section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.