16 U.S.C. § 3141 — Overall study program

Page 2243 TITLE 16—CONSERVATION § 3142 or to assure the continued viability of a par- ticular fish or wildlife population, the Secretary may immediately close the public lands, or any portion thereof, to the subsistence uses of such population and shall publish the reasons justi- fying the closure in the Federal Register. Such emergency closure shall be effective when made, shall not extend for a period exceeding sixty days, and may not subsequently be extended un- less the Secretary affirmatively establishes, after notice and public hearing, that such clo- sure should be extended. (Pub. L. 96–487, title VIII, § 816, Dec. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 2430.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT This Act, referred to in text, is Pub. L. 96–487, Dec. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 2371, known as the Alaska National Inter- est Lands Conservation Act. For complete classifica- tion of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 3101 of this title and Tables. SUBCHAPTER III—FEDERAL NORTH SLOPE LANDS STUDIES, OIL AND GAS LEASING PROGRAM AND MINERAL ASSESSMENTS § 3141. Overall study program (a) Area designated The Secretary shall initiate and carry out a study of all Federal lands (other than submerged lands on the Outer Continental Shelf) in Alaska north of 68 degrees north latitude and east of the western boundary of the National Petroleum Re- serve—Alaska, other than lands included in the National Petroleum Reserve—Alaska and in conservation system units established by this Act. (b) Purposes The study shall utilize a systematic inter- disciplinary approach to— (1) assess the potential oil and gas resources of these lands and make recommendations concerning future use and management of those resources including an evaluation of al- ternative transportation routes needed for oil and gas development; (2) review the wilderness characteristics, and make recommendations for wilderness des- ignation, of these lands; and (3) study, and make recommendations for protection of, the wildlife resources of these lands. (c) Findings After completion of the study, the Secretary shall make findings on— (1) the potential oil and gas resources of these lands; (2) the impact of oil and gas development on the wildlife resources on these lands, particu- larly the Arctic and Porcupine caribou herds and the polar bear; (3) the national need for development of the oil and gas resources of all or any portion of these lands; (4) the national interest in preservation of the wilderness characteristics of these lands; and (5) the national interest in protection of the wildlife resources of these lands. (d) Consultations; opportunity for public review and comment In the course of the study, the Secretary shall consult with the Secretary of Energy and other Federal agencies, the State of Alaska, Native Village and Regional Corporations, the North Slope Borough, the Alaska Land Use Council and the Government of Canada. The Secretary shall provide an opportunity for public review and comment on a draft study and proposed findings prior to their final approval. (e) Report to President and Congress; annual re- port to Congress The Secretary shall submit the study and his findings to the President and the Congress no later than eight years after December 2, 1980. The Secretary shall submit annual reports to Congress on the progress in carrying out this subchapter. (f) Selection and conveyance of land by State and Natives unaffected Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed as impeding, delaying, or otherwise affecting the selection and conveyance of land to the State pursuant to the Alaska Statehood Act, or any other Federal law referred to in section 3102(3)(A) of this title, and to the Natives pursu- ant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act [43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.] and this Act. (Pub. L. 96–487, title X, § 1001, Dec. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 2448.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT This Act, referred to in subsecs. (a) and (f), is Pub. L. 96–487, Dec. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 2371, known as the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. For com- plete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 3101 of this title and Tables. The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, referred to in subsec. (f), is Pub. L. 92–203, Dec. 18, 1971, 85 Stat. 688, which is classified generally to chapter 33 (§ 1601 et seq.) of Title 43, Public Lands. For complete classifica- tion of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1601 of Title 43 and Tables. The Alaska Statehood Act, referred to in subsec. (f), is Pub. L. 85–508, July 7, 1958, 72 Stat. 339, which is set out as a note preceding section 21 of Title 48, Terri- tories and Insular Possessions. For complete classifica- tion of this Act to the Code, see Tables. § 3142. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge coastal plain resource assessment (a) Purpose The purpose of this section is to provide for a comprehensive and continuing inventory and as- sessment of the fish and wildlife resources of the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; an analysis of the impacts of oil and gas exploration, development, and production, and to authorize exploratory activity within the coastal plain in a manner that avoids significant adverse effects on the fish and wildlife and other resources. (b) Definitions As used in this section—