Bureau of Land Management Mineral Spacing Act

Fewer federal drilling permits for operators

This bill would let operators skip a Federal drilling permit on many non‑Federal surface sites. This would apply when the United States owns less than 50% of the subsurface minerals. It would also require that the operator submits a State permit to the Secretary. Work would begin 30 days after the State permit is submitted. These activities would not be treated as a major Federal action under NEPA. They would not need reviews under the National Historic Preservation Act or section 7 of the Endangered Species Act. Royalties to the United States would still be due. The Secretary would keep authority to audit, impose civil penalties, and perform onsite inspections. The bill would define "Indian land" to include land inside reservations, pueblos, and rancherias. It would also include land held in trust, land with restricted Indian title, and dependent Indian communities. The drilling permit exemption would not apply to those Indian lands.