Legislation & Regulation

Legislative and Regulatory Update

July 2019 by Scott

• Administration issues proposals to fix mining access and permitting
The Trump Administration released an interagency report titled, “A Federal Strategy to Ensure a Reliable Supply of Critical Minerals.” The document establishes goals and makes recommendations to achieve President Trump’s objectives laid out in Executive Order 13817 in order to create a reliable US supply chain for critical minerals.

The recommendations related to minerals involve all types of mining, not just mining for critical minerals. Specific recommendations are made to expedite permitting, revise Travel Management Plans, curb mineral withdrawals, and much more.

We are encouraged that many of the recommendations we made during out trips in Washington, DC, with Public Lands for the People are included in the proposals.

Check the PLP Update column later is in this issue for a full review.

• Online “webinar” and request for comments for proposed Forest Service NEPA regulation revisions
On June 13, the Forest Service published an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking and request for comments as the agency seeks to revise its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations.

The agency states it intends to increase efficiency, reduce timelines for approval, and possibly utilize categorical exclusions in some cases.

The Federal Register Notice is available online here.

The agency will provide an online “webinar” on July 12, 2019, from 3:30-5:00pm Eastern Time. You can call in at 1-877-369-5243 or 1-617-688-3633. The access code is 0849770#.

Or you can watch it on your desktop or device by visiting https://usfs.adobeconnect.com/neparule-1000/

Public comments are due in writing by August 12, 2019.

Comments can be submitted by one of the following methods:

Public participation portal (preferred):
https://www.regulations.gov/

By mail:
NEPA Services Group
c/o Amy Barker; USDA Forest Service
125 South State Street, Suite 1705
Salt Lake City, UT 84138.

By email:
nepa-procedures-revision@fs.fed.us