§3150 Alaska Mineral Resource Assessment Program

Summary

The Secretary must study the oil, gas, and other mineral potential of all public lands in Alaska as fully as allowed by law. The work can use methods like side‑looking radar and, on public lands that are not in the national park system, core and test drilling for rock samples even if the Wilderness Act would otherwise limit drilling. Core and test drilling means taking underground rock samples to check for metal or other mineral values and does not mean oil or gas test wells. The Secretary must share information and consult with the State of Alaska and with the Secretary of Energy and other federal agencies. Air access for the studies must be allowed, subject to reasonable protections (for example, avoiding nesting, calving, or spawning times). The Secretary may hire public or private groups to help. The rules in this part do not apply to the lands listed in section 3141. Activities inside conservation system units need rules from the Secretary to make sure they do not cause lasting damage or change the unit’s natural character and that they fit the unit’s purposes.