Superior National Forest Restoration Act of 2025

Restore access and speed mine permitting

This bill would rescind the January 31, 2023 public land withdrawal. Affected lands are in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, Minnesota. It would restore federal land access for businesses and operators under normal authorities. The Secretary would have to finish NEPA reviews for Mine Plans filed in the 10-year period after enactment. Those reviews must finish no later than 18 months after submission. Supplemental reviews must finish within 6 months after submission. All required permits must be issued within 6 months after a Mine Plan is approved. The bill would reissue prospecting permits with their original terms. Mineral and preference-right leases would be reissued with a 20-year initial term starting at enactment. Those leases would have a nondiscretionary right to renew five additional 10-year terms. Lessees could reasonably adjust rental and royalty terms at renewal. Leases and permits issued under these rules would not be subject to judicial review. Within 5 days after enactment, the Secretary must grant certain rejected preference-right lease applications that had a preliminary valuable deposit determination. The Secretary, with the Agriculture Secretary, could issue permits to use surface lands not in a lease when reasonably necessary for exploration or development.