I
105TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 1163
To amend title 10, United States Code, to transfer jurisdiction over Naval
Oil Shale Reserves Numbered 1 and 3 to the Secretary of the Interior
and to authorize the leasing of such reserves for oil and gas exploration
and production.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
MARCH 20, 1997
Mr. HEFLEY (for himself and Mr. MCINNIS) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on National Security, and in addi-
tion to the Committee on Resources, for a period to be subsequently de-
termined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions
as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
A BILL
To amend title 10, United States Code, to transfer jurisdic-
tion over Naval Oil Shale Reserves Numbered 1 and
3 to the Secretary of the Interior and to authorize the
leasing of such reserves for oil and gas exploration and
production.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. TRANSFER OF JURISDICTION, NAVAL OIL
SHALE RESERVES NUMBERED 1 AND 3.
(a) TRANSFER REQUIRED.—Chapter 641 of title 10,
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the
following new section:
‘‘§ 7439. Certain oil shale reserves: transfer of juris-
diction and petroleum exploration, devel-
opment, and production
‘‘(a) TRANSFER REQUIRED.—(1) Upon the enact-
ment of this section, the Secretary of Energy shall trans-
fer to the Secretary of the Interior administrative jurisdic-
tion over all public domain lands included within Oil Shale
Reserve Numbered 1 and those public domain lands in-
cluded within the undeveloped tracts of Oil Shale Reserve
Numbered 3.
‘‘(2) Not later than one year after the date of the
enactment of this section, the Secretary of Energy shall
transfer to the Secretary of the Interior administrative ju-
risdiction over those public domain lands included within
the developed tract of Oil Shale Reserve Numbered 3,
which consists of approximately 6,000 acres and 24 natu-
ral gas wells, together with pipelines and associated facili-
ties.
‘‘(3) Notwithstanding the transfer of jurisdiction, the
Secretary of Energy shall continue to be responsible for
all environmental restoration, waste management, and en-
vironmental compliance activities that are required under
Federal and State laws with respect to conditions existing
on the lands at the time of the transfer.
‘‘(b) AUTHORITY TO LEASE.—(1) Beginning on the
date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of the
Interior may lease public domain lands in Oil Shale Re-
serves Numbered 1 and 3 (including the developed tract
of Oil Shale Reserve Numbered 3) to one or more private
entities for the purpose of exploration for, and develop-
ment and production of, petroleum and natural gas (other
than in the form of oil shale). Any such lease shall be
made and any monies received by the United States in
connection with any such leases shall be disposed of in
accordance with the requirements of the Mineral Leasing
Act (30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.) regarding the lease of oil and
gas lands and shall be subject to valid existing rights.
‘‘(2) Notwithstanding the delayed transfer of the de-
veloped tract of Oil Shale Reserve Numbered 3 under sub-
section (a)(2), the Secretary of the Interior shall endeavor
to enter into a lease under paragraph (1) with respect to
the developed tract before the end of the one-year period
beginning on the date of the enactment of this section.
‘‘(3) Section 7431 of this title shall not apply to the
lease of lands by the Secretary of the Interior under this
subsection.
‘‘(c) MANAGEMENT.—The Secretary of the Interior,
acting through the Director of the Bureau of Land Man-
agement, shall manage the surface estate in the lands
transferred under subsection (a) in accordance with the
Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43
U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) and other laws applicable to the pub-
lic lands.
‘‘(d) TRANSFER
OF EXISTING EQUIPMENT.—The
lease of lands by the Secretary of the Interior under this
section may include the transfer, at fair market value, of
any well, gathering line, or related equipment owned by
the United States on the lands transferred under sub-
section (a) and suitable for use in the exploration, develop-
ment, or production of petroleum on the lands.
‘‘(e) COST MINIMIZATION.—The Secretary of the In-
terior shall take such actions as are necessary to ensure
that the cost of compliance with this section is mini-
mized.’’.
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding
at the end the following new item:
‘‘7439. Certain oil shale reserves: transfer of jurisdiction and petroleum explo-
ration, development, and production.’’.
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