16 U.S.C. § 1465 - U.S. Code - Unannotated Title 16. Conservation § 1465. Appeals to the Secretary

(1)In general

Not later than the end of the 160-day period beginning on the date of publication of an initial notice under subsection (a), except as provided in paragraph (3), the Secretary shall immediately close the decision record and receive no more filings on the appeal.

(2)Notice

After closing the administrative record, the Secretary shall immediately publish a notice in the Federal Register that the administrative record has been closed.

(3)Exception

(1)In general

Not later than 60 days after the date of publication of a Federal Register notice stating when the decision record for an appeal has been closed, the Secretary shall issue a decision or publish a notice in the Federal Register explaining why a decision cannot be issued at that time.

(2)Subsequent decision

Not later than 15 days after the date of publication of a Federal Register notice explaining why a decision cannot be issued within the 60-day period, the Secretary shall issue a decision.