§3232 Recommendations of President to Congress

Summary

The President may, after December 2, 1980, ask Congress to allow mineral exploration, development, or extraction in a specific area of the lands covered by section 3231. Before sending that request, the President must publish a notice in the Federal Register and wait at least 90 days after that notice. The President can only send the request if he finds there is an urgent national need and that need is more important than the lands’ other public values and the likely environmental harm. The request must include a detailed report with facts and reasons, the conditions that would apply if Congress approves, and an environmental impact statement when required by the National Environmental Policy Act (or he may include one even if not required). The request only takes effect if Congress approves it by a joint resolution (a bill passed by both Houses) during the first continuous 120-calendar-day session period that starts the day after both Houses have received the request. “Received” means the first day both Houses are in session after submission. A session ends only by adjournment sine die, and days lost to any adjournment longer than three days to a set date are not counted in the 120 days.