News Release

 

 

For Immediate Release: December 4, 2002

Contacts: David Quick, (202) 452-5138 or Brenda Aird, (202) 452-0351

 

BLM Announces Policy for Extensions for Notice-Level Mining Operators

 

The BLM is reaching out to holders of approximately 5,000 surface-disturbance notices to inform them of the policy in place for extending the terms of their notice-level operations.  Revisions to the Surface Management Regulations at 43 CFR 3809 took effect January 20, 2001.  Among those revisions, 43 CFR 3809.300(a) stipulates that notices on file with the BLM on or before January 20, 2001, will expire on January 20, 2003, unless the operator chooses to extend the notice.

To extend the term of a notice, a notice-level operator must notify the BLM in writing of his or her intent to extend the notice on or before January 20, 2003, and must meet the financial guarantee requirements of the regulations.  Because the notification date stipulated in the regulations falls on a federal holiday, the deadline for extension notifications will be close of business on January 21, 2003, or postmarked no later than January 21, 2003 and received by the BLM within 14 days, or no later than close of business of February 4, 2003.

If the operator meets these deadlines in providing the BLM with a notification of intent to extend his or her notice, the notice will be temporarily and conditionally extended pending BLM?s acceptance of a financial guarantee.  The operator should submit an estimate of reclamation costs.  The BLM will promptly review all submitted materials and may request additional information as needed and/or request submission of the appropriate financial guarantee.  If the operator fails to submit the financial guarantee or any other information requested within the timeframe specified by BLM, the notice will expire.  The only authorized activity under expired notices will be reclamation.

 

The BLM, an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, manages more land--262 million surface acres--than any other federal agency.  Most of the country's BLM-managed public land is located in 12 western states, including Alaska.  The Bureau, which has a budget of $1.8 billion and a workforce of 10,000 employees, also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation.  The BLM's "multiple use" mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.  The BLM accomplishes this by managing for such resources as outdoor recreation, livestock grazing, and energy and mineral development that helps meet the nation's energy needs, and by conserving natural, historical, cultural, and other resources on the public lands.

 

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