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S. 2371Became Law

An Act to provide for the regulation of mining activity within, and to repeal the application of mining laws to, areas of the National Park System, and for other purposes.

(Measure passed House, amended, roll call #728 (352-9))

Subjects all activities resulting from the exercise of valid existing mineral rights within any area of the National Park System to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior for the preservation and management of those areas.

Imposes a four-year moratorium on further surface disturbance within Death Valley and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monuments and Mount McKinley National Park.

Requires the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to report within two years on the actual or potential effects of surface mining activities on natural and historical landmarks.

States that the holder of any patented or unpatented mining claim subject to this Act who believes he has suffered a loss by operation of this Act, or by orders or regulations issued pursuant thereto, may bring an action in a United States district court to recover just compensation, which shall be awarded if the court finds that such loss constitutes a taking of property compensable under the Constitution.

Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the authority of the Secretary to acquire lands and interests in lands within the boundaries of any unit of the National Park System. Directs the Secretary to give careful consideration to any offer to sell any property interest in the lands on which a moratorium has been imposed under this Act, and where continued private ownership would result in undue hardship.

Requires each employee of the Secretary of the Interior who: (1) performs any functions under this Act concerning the regulation of mining within the National Park System; and (2) has any known financial interest in any person subject to this Act or any person who holds a mining claim within the National Park System to file an annual statement with the Secretary concerning all such interests held during the preceding year.

Public law 94-429.

Sen. Metcalf, Lee [D-MT](D-MT)Sponsor
9 cosponsors5 D4 R
9cosponsors2committees26actions1related bills4subjects
  • Public LawSep 29, 1976
  1. PresidentE40000

    Public law 94-429.

  2. BecameLaw36000

    Public law 94-429.

  3. PresidentE30000

    Signed by President.

  4. BecameLaw36000

    Signed by President.

  5. FloorE20000

    Measure presented to President.

  6. President28000

    Measure presented to President.

  7. President

    Measure enrolled in Senate.

  8. PresidentE05000

    Measure enrolled in House.

  9. ResolvingDifferences

    Senate agreed to House amendments.

  10. NotUsed20500

    Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to House amendments.

  11. FloorH37100

    Measure passed House, amended, roll call #728 (352-9).

  12. Floor8000

    Passed/agreed to in House: Measure passed House, amended, roll call #728 (352-9).

  13. FloorH30000

    Measure considered in House.

  14. FloorH30000

    Measure called up by special rule in House.

  15. CommitteeH12200

    Reported to House from the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs with amendment, H. Rept. 94-1428.

    Natural Resources Committee
  16. Committee5000

    Reported to House from the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs with amendment, H. Rept. 94-1428.

    Natural Resources Committee
  17. IntroReferralH11100

    Referred to House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs.

    Natural Resources Committee
  18. Floor

    Measure passed Senate, amended, roll call #25 (70-16).

  19. Floor17000

    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Measure passed Senate, amended, roll call #25 (70-16).

  20. Floor

    Measure considered in Senate.

  21. Floor

    Measure considered in Senate.

  22. Floor

    Call of calendar in Senate.

  23. Committee

    Reported to Senate from the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs with amendment, S. Rept. 94-567.

    Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  24. Committee14000

    Reported to Senate from the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs with amendment, S. Rept. 94-567.

    Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  25. IntroReferral

    Referred to Senate Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs.

    Energy and Natural Resources Committee
  26. IntroReferral10000

    Introduced in Senate

Sep 14, 197636
(Measure passed House, amended, roll call #728 (352-9))

Subjects all activities resulting from the exercise of valid existing mineral rights within any area of the National Park System to regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior for the preservation and management of those areas.

Imposes a four-year moratorium on further surface disturbance within Death Valley and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monuments and Mount McKinley National Park.

Requires the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to report within two years on the actual or potential effects of surface mining activities on natural and historical landmarks.

States that the holder of any patented or unpatented mining claim subject to this Act who believes he has suffered a loss by operation of this Act, or by orders or regulations issued pursuant thereto, may bring an action in a United States district court to recover just compensation, which shall be awarded if the court finds that such loss constitutes a taking of property compensable under the Constitution.

Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to limit the authority of the Secretary to acquire lands and interests in lands within the boundaries of any unit of the National Park System. Directs the Secretary to give careful consideration to any offer to sell any property interest in the lands on which a moratorium has been imposed under this Act, and where continued private ownership would result in undue hardship.

Requires each employee of the Secretary of the Interior who: (1) performs any functions under this Act concerning the regulation of mining within the National Park System; and (2) has any known financial interest in any person subject to this Act or any person who holds a mining claim within the National Park System to file an annual statement with the Secretary concerning all such interests held during the preceding year.

Sep 18, 197500

Subjects the surface use of mineral land locations within the National Park System to the regulation of the Secretary of the Interior.

Repeals the application of mining laws to mining claims in specified national parks and monuments.

Prohibits, for a three-year period, the disturbing of the surface of any national park land for mineral exploration or development.

Directs the Secretary of the Interior to estimate the funds and manpower necessary to determine the validity of mining claims within the national parks and monuments with respect to which the mining laws are repealed by this Act.