16 U.S.C. § 460jjj-2 - U.S. Code - Unannotated Title 16. Conservation § 460jjj-2. Minerals and mining

(a)Limitation on patent issuance

(b)Withdrawal

Subject to valid existing rights, after October 12, 1993, lands within the recreation area withdrawn from location under the general mining laws and from the operation of the mineral leasing, geothermal leasing, and mineral material disposal laws.

(c)Reclamation

No mining activity involving any surface disturbance of lands or waters within such area, including disturbance through subsidence, shall be permitted except in accordance with requirements imposed by the Secretary, including requirements for reasonable reclamation of disturbed lands to a visual and hydrological condition as close as practical to their premining condition.

(d)Mining claim validity review

The Secretary of Agriculture shall undertake and complete within 3 years after October 12, 1993, an expedited program to examine all unpatented mining claims, including those for which a patent application has been filed, within the recreation area. Upon determination by the Secretary of Agriculture that the elements of a contest are present, the Secretary of the Interior shall immediately determine the validity of such claims. If a claim is determined to be invalid, the Secretary shall promptly declare the claim to be null and void.

(e)Public purposes

The Secretary may utilize mineral materials from within the recreation area for public purposes such as maintenance and construction of roads, trails, and facilities as long as such use is compatible with the purposes of the recreation area.