(i) meets the requirements of para-
graph (3); and 
(ii) is consistent with the National 
Strategy. 
(3) CONTENTS.—A State adaptation plan 
shall— 
(A) meet the requirements described in 
subsection (f)(2); 
(B) include the adaptation provisions of 
any State comprehensive wildlife conservation 
strategy (or State wildlife action plan) that has 
been— 
(i) submitted to the Director of the 
United States Fish and Wildlife Service; 
and 
(ii) approved, or is pending approval, 
by the Director of the United States Fish 
and Wildlife Service; 
(C) include the adaptation provisions of a 
statewide assessment and strategy for forest re-
sources required under section 2A of the Coop-
erative Forestry Assistance Act of 1978 (16 
U.S.C. 2101a) that has been— 
(i) submitted to the Secretary of Agri-
culture; and 
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(ii) approved, or is pending approval, 
by the Secretary of Agriculture; and 
(D) include the adaptation provisions of a 
Coastal Zone Management Plan or a Coastal 
and Estuarine Land Conservation Program 
Plan that has been— 
(i) submitted to the Administrator of 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad-
ministration; and 
(ii) approved, or is pending approval, 
by the Administrator of the National Oce-
anic and Atmospheric Administration. 
(4) DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS TO STATES.—Any 
funds made available pursuant to this section shall 
be— 
(A) used to carry out activities in accord-
ance with adaptation plans approved under this 
section; and 
(B) made available through— 
(i) the State and tribal wildlife grant 
program under title I of division F of the 
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 
(Public Law 110–161; 121 Stat. 2103); 
and 
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(ii)(I) the grant program under sec-
tion 306 of the Coastal Zone Management 
Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1455); 
(II) the Coastal and Estuarine Land 
Conservation Program established under 
title II of the Department of Commerce 
and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 
2002 (16 U.S.C. 1456d); and 
(III) programs established under the 
Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act of 
1978 (16 U.S.C. 2101 et seq.). 
(5) PUBLIC INPUT.—In developing an adapta-
tion plan, a State shall solicit and consider input 
from the public and independent scientists. 
(6) COORDINATION
WITH
OTHER
PLANS.—A 
State adaptation plan shall, where appropriate, inte-
grate the goals and measures set forth in other cli-
mate adaptation, hazard mitigation, and fish, wild-
life, and plant conservation strategies and plans. 
(7) UPDATES.—Each State adaptation plan 
shall be updated at least every 4 years. 
SEC. 306. PUBLIC LANDS SERVICE CORPS. 
(a) AMENDMENT TO EXISTING SHORT TITLE.—Sec-
tion 201 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 
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U.S.C. 1701 note; title II of Public Law 91–378) is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘SEC. 201. SHORT TITLE; REFERENCES. 
‘‘(a) SHORT TITLE.—This title may be cited as the 
‘Public Lands Service Corps Act of 1993’. 
‘‘(b) REFERENCES.—Any reference contained in any 
law, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the 
United States to the ‘Public Lands Corps Act of 1993’ 
shall be considered to be a reference to the ‘Public Lands 
Service Corps Act of 1993’.’’. 
(b) NAME AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION CHANGES.— 
The Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1721 
et seq.; title II of Public Law 91–378) is amended— 
(1) in the title heading, by striking ‘‘PUBLIC 
LANDS CORPS’’ and inserting ‘‘PUBLIC 
LANDS SERVICE CORPS’’; 
(2) in section 204 (16 U.S.C. 1723), in the 
heading, by striking ‘‘PUBLIC LANDS CORPS’’ and 
inserting ‘‘PUBLIC LANDS SERVICE CORPS’’; 
(3) 
in 
section 
210(a)(2) 
(16 
U.S.C. 
1729(a)(2)), in the heading, by striking ‘‘PUBLIC 
LANDS’’; 
(4) by striking ‘‘Public Lands Corps’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘Corps’’; 
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(5) by striking ‘‘conservation center’’ each place 
it appears and inserting ‘‘residential conservation 
center’’; 
(6) by striking ‘‘conservation centers’’ each 
place it appears and inserting ‘‘residential conserva-
tion centers’’; 
(7) 
by 
striking 
‘‘appropriate 
conservation 
project’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘appro-
priate natural and cultural resources conservation 
project’’; and 
(8) 
by 
striking 
‘‘appropriate 
conservation 
projects’’ each place it appears and inserting ‘‘ap-
propriate natural and cultural resources conservation 
projects’’. 
(c) FINDINGS.—Section 202(a) of the Public Lands 
Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1721(a)), as amended by 
subsection (b), is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘Corps can benefit’’ and 
inserting ‘‘conservation corps can benefit’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘the natural and cultural’’ 
and inserting ‘‘natural and cultural’’; 
(2) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as 
paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; 
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(3) by inserting after paragraph (1) the fol-
lowing new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) Participants in conservation corps receive 
meaningful education and training, and their experi-
ence with conservation corps provides preparation 
for careers in public service. 
‘‘(3) Young men and women who participate in 
the rehabilitation and restoration of the natural, cul-
tural, historic, archaeological, recreational, and sce-
nic treasures of the United States will gain an in-
creased appreciation and understanding of the public 
lands and heritage of the United States, and of the 
value of public service, and are likely to become life- 
long advocates for those values.’’; 
(4) in paragraph (4), as redesignated by para-
graph (2), by inserting ‘‘, cultural, historic, archae-
ological, recreational, and scenic’’ after ‘‘Many facili-
ties and natural’’; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(6) The work of conservation corps can benefit 
communities adjacent to public lands and facilities 
through renewed civic engagement and participation 
by corps participants and those they serve, improved 
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student achievement, and restoration and rehabilita-
tion of public assets.’’. 
(d) PURPOSES.—Subsection (b) of section 202 of the 
Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1721) is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of this Act are as fol-
lows: 
‘‘(1) To introduce young men and women to 
public service while furthering their understanding 
and appreciation of the natural, cultural, historic, 
archaeological, recreational, and scenic resources of 
the United States. 
‘‘(2) To facilitate training and recruitment op-
portunities in which service is credited as qualifying 
experience for careers in the management of such 
resources. 
‘‘(3) To instill in a new generation of young 
men and women from across the United States, in-
cluding young men and women from diverse back-
grounds, the desire to seek careers in resource stew-
ardship and public service by allowing them to work 
directly with professionals in agencies responsible for 
the management of the natural, cultural, historic, 
archaeological, recreational, and scenic resources of 
the United States. 
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‘‘(4) To perform, in a cost-effective manner, ap-
propriate natural and cultural resources conservation 
projects where such projects are not being performed 
by existing employees. 
‘‘(5) To assist State and local governments and 
Indian tribes in performing research and public edu-
cation tasks associated with the conservation of nat-
ural, cultural, historic, archaeological, recreational, 
and scenic resources. 
‘‘(6) To expand educational opportunities on 
public lands and by rewarding individuals who par-
ticipate in conservation corps with an increased abil-
ity to pursue higher education and job training. 
‘‘(7) To promote public understanding and ap-
preciation of the missions and the natural and cul-
tural resources conservation work of the partici-
pating Federal agencies through training opportuni-
ties, community service and outreach, and other ap-
propriate means. 
‘‘(8) To create a grant program for Indian 
tribes to establish the Indian Youth Service Corps so 
that Indian youth can benefit from carrying out 
projects on Indian lands that the Indian tribes and 
communities determine to be priorities.’’. 
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(e) DEFINITIONS.—Section 203 of the Public Lands 
Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1722) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (3) through 
(7), (8) through (10), and (11) through (13) as 
paragraphs (5) through (9), (11) through (13), and 
(15) through (17), respectively; 
(2) by striking paragraphs (1) and (2) and in-
serting the following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(1) APPROPRIATE
NATURAL
AND
CULTURAL 
RESOURCES
CONSERVATION
PROJECT.—The term 
‘appropriate natural and cultural resources conserva-
tion project’ means any project for the conservation, 
restoration, construction, or rehabilitation of nat-
ural, cultural, historic, archaeological, recreational, 
or scenic resources. 
‘‘(2) CONSULTING
INTERN.—The term ‘con-
sulting intern’ means a consulting intern selected 
under section 206(a)(2). 
‘‘(3) CORPS
AND
PUBLIC
LANDS
SERVICE 
CORPS.—The terms ‘Corps’ and ‘Public Lands Serv-
ice Corps’ mean the Public Lands Service Corps es-
tablished under section 204(a). 
‘‘(4) CORPS
PARTICIPANT.—The term ‘Corps 
participant’ means an individual enrolled— 
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‘‘(A) in the Corps or the Indian Youth 
Service Corps; or 
‘‘(B) as a resource assistant or consulting 
intern.’’; 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (9), as redesig-
nated by paragraph (1), the following new para-
graph: 
‘‘(10) INDIAN
YOUTH
SERVICE
CORPS.—The 
term ‘Indian Youth Service Corps’ means a qualified 
youth or conservation corps established under sec-
tion 207 that— 
‘‘(A) enrolls individuals between the ages 
of 15 and 25, inclusive, a majority of whom are 
Indians; and 
‘‘(B) is established pursuant to a tribal 
resolution that describes the agreement between 
the Indian tribe and the qualified youth or con-
servation corps to operate an Indian Youth 
Service Corps program for the benefit of the 
members of the Indian tribe.’’; 
(4) by striking paragraph (12), as redesignated 
by paragraph (1), and inserting the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(12) PUBLIC LANDS.—The term ‘public lands’ 
means any land or water (or interest therein) owned 
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or administered by the United States, including 
those areas of coastal and ocean waters, the Great 
Lakes and their connecting waters, and submerged 
lands over which the United States exercises juris-
diction, except that such term does not include In-
dian lands.’’; 
(5) in paragraph (13), as redesignated by para-
graph (1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘full-time,’’; 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘on eligible service 
lands’’ after ‘‘resource setting’’; and 
(iii) by striking ‘‘16’’ and inserting 
‘‘15’’; 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking 
‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(C) in subparagraph (C), by striking the 
period at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(D) by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph: 
‘‘(D) makes available for audit for each fis-
cal year for which the qualified youth or con-
servation corps receives Federal funds under 
this Act, all information pertaining to the ex-
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100 
penditure of the funds, any matching funds, 
and participant demographics.’’; 
(6) by inserting after paragraph (13), as redes-
ignated by paragraph (1) and amended by para-
graph (5), the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(14) 
RESIDENTIAL
CONSERVATION
CEN-
TERS.—The term ‘residential conservation centers’ 
means the facilities authorized under section 205.’’; 
(7) in paragraph (15), as redesignated by para-
graph (1), by striking ‘‘206’’ and inserting 
‘‘206(a)(1)’’; and 
(8) in paragraph (16), as redesignated by para-
graph (1)— 
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
‘‘and’’ at the end; 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the 
period at the end and inserting ‘‘; and’’; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new 
subparagraph: 
‘‘(C) with respect to the National Marine 
Sanctuary System, coral reefs, and other coast-
al, estuarine, and marine habitats, and other 
lands and facilities administered by the Na-
tional Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
the Secretary of Commerce.’’. 
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102 
‘‘(C) DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.—The 
Secretary of Commerce shall establish within 
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Admin-
istration an office to coordinate the Corps ac-
tivities within that agency. 
‘‘(2) ESTABLISHMENT
OF
COORDINATORS.— 
The Secretary shall designate a Public Lands Serv-
ice Corps coordinator for each agency under the ju-
risdiction of the Secretary that administers Corps 
activities. 
‘‘(3) ESTABLISHMENT OF LIAISON.—The Sec-
retary of the Interior shall establish an Indian Youth 
Service Corps liaison that will— 
‘‘(A) provide outreach to Indian tribes 
about opportunities for establishing Corps and 
Indian Youth Service Corps programs; and 
‘‘(B) coordinate with the Tribal Liaison of 
the Corporation for National Service to identify 
and establish Corps and Indian Youth Service 
Corps opportunities for Indian youth. 
‘‘(c) PARTICIPANTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may enroll 
in the Corps individuals who are— 
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103 
‘‘(A) hired by an agency under the juris-
diction of the Secretary to perform work au-
thorized under this Act; or 
‘‘(B) members of a qualified youth or con-
servation corps with which the Secretary has 
entered into a cooperative agreement to perform 
work authorized under this Act. 
‘‘(2) RESOURCE ASSISTANTS AND CONSULTING 
INTERNS.—The Secretary may also enroll in the 
Corps resource assistants and consulting interns in 
accordance with section 206(a). 
‘‘(3) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.—To be eligi-
ble for enrollment as a Corps participant, an indi-
vidual shall— 
‘‘(A)(i) be between the ages of 15 and 25, 
inclusive; or 
‘‘(ii) in the case of a military veteran, be 
not older than 35; and 
‘‘(B) satisfy the requirements of section 
137(a)(5) of the National and Community Serv-
ice Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12591(a)(5)). 
‘‘(4) TERMS.—Each Corps participant may be 
enrolled in the Corps for a term of up to 2 years of 
service, which may be served over a period that ex-
ceeds 2 calendar years. 
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104 
‘‘(5) CIVIL SERVICE.—An individual may be en-
rolled as a Corps participant without regard to the 
civil service and classification laws, rules, or regula-
tions of the United States. 
‘‘(6) PREFERENCE.—The Secretary may estab-
lish a preference for the enrollment as Corps partici-
pants individuals who are economically, physically, 
or educationally disadvantaged. 
‘‘(7) LOCAL PREFERENCE.—The Secretary may 
establish a preference for enrollment of Corps par-
ticipants who are individuals who live in that State 
or region.’’; 
(3) in subsection (d), as redesignated by para-
graph (1)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘contracts and’’; and 
(ii) by striking ‘‘subsection (d)’’ and 
inserting ‘‘subsection (f)’’; and 
(B) by striking paragraph (2) and insert-
ing the following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(2) RECRUITMENT.—The Secretary shall carry 
out, or enter into cooperative agreements to provide, 
a program to attract eligible youth to the Corps by 
publicizing Corps opportunities through high schools, 
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105 
colleges, employment centers, electronic media, and 
other appropriate institutions and means. 
‘‘(3) PREFERENCE.—In entering into coopera-
tive agreements under paragraph (1) or awarding 
competitive grants to Indian tribes or tribally au-
thorized organizations under section 207, the Sec-
retary may give preference to qualified youth or con-
servation corps that are located in specific areas 
where a substantial portion of members are economi-
cally, physically, or educationally disadvantaged.’’; 
(4) by inserting after subsection (d), as redesig-
nated by paragraph (1), the following new sub-
section: 
‘‘(e) TRAINING.—For purposes of training, the Sec-
retary shall take into account training already received by 
Corps participants enrolled from qualified youth or con-
servation corps.’’; 
(5) in subsection (f), as redesignated by para-
graph (1)— 
(A) in paragraph (1)— 
(i) in the heading, by striking ‘‘IN 
GENERAL.—’’ and inserting ‘‘USE
OF 
CORPS; PROJECTS.—’’; 
(ii) by striking ‘‘The Secretary may 
utilize the Corps or any qualified youth or 
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106 
conservation corps to carry out’’ and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary may 
use the Corps to carry out, with appropriate su-
pervision and training,’’; 
(iii) by striking ‘‘on public lands’’ and 
inserting on ‘‘on eligible service lands’’; 
and 
(iv) by adding at the end the following 
new subparagraph: 
‘‘(B) PROJECTS.—Appropriate natural and 
cultural resources conservation projects carried 
out under this section may include— 
‘‘(i) protecting, restoring, or enhanc-
ing ecosystem components to promote spe-
cies recovery, improve biological diversity, 
enhance productivity and carbon sequestra-
tion, and enhance adaptability and resil-
ience of eligible service lands and resources 
to climate change and other natural and 
human disturbances; 
‘‘(ii) promoting the health of eligible 
service lands, including— 
‘‘(I) protecting and restoring wa-
tersheds and forest, grassland, ripar-
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107 
ian, estuarine, marine, or other habi-
tat; 
‘‘(II) 
reducing 
the 
risk 
of 
uncharacteristically 
severe 
wildfire 
and mitigating damage from insects, 
disease, and disasters; 
‘‘(III) controlling erosion; 
‘‘(IV) controlling and removing 
invasive, noxious, or nonnative spe-
cies; and 
‘‘(V) restoring native species; 
‘‘(iii) collecting biological, archae-
ological, and other scientific data, includ-
ing climatological information, species pop-
ulations and movement, habitat status, and 
other information; 
‘‘(iv) assisting in historical and cul-
tural research, museum curatorial work, 
oral history projects, documentary photog-
raphy, and activities that support the cre-
ation of public works of art related to eligi-
ble service lands; and 
‘‘(v) constructing, repairing, rehabili-
tating, and maintaining roads, trails, 
campgrounds and other visitor facilities, 
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108 
employee housing, cultural and historic 
sites and structures, and other facilities 
that further the purposes of this Act.’’; 
(B) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and 
(3) as paragraphs (4) and (5), respectively; and 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the 
following new paragraphs: 
‘‘(2) VISITOR SERVICES.—The Secretary may— 
‘‘(A) enter into or amend an existing coop-
erative agreement with a cooperating associa-
tion, educational institution, friends group, or 
similar nonprofit partner organization for the 
purpose of providing training and work experi-
ence to Corps participants in areas such as 
sales, office work, accounting, and management, 
provided that the work experience directly re-
lates to the conservation and management of el-
igible service lands; and 
‘‘(B) allow Corps participants to help pro-
mote visitor safety and enjoyment of eligible 
service lands, and assist in the gathering of vis-
itor use data. 
‘‘(3) INTERPRETATION.—The Secretary may 
permit Corps participants to provide interpretation 
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109 
or education services for the public under the direct 
and immediate supervision of an agency employee— 
‘‘(A) to provide orientation and informa-
tion services to visitors; 
‘‘(B) to assist agency employees in the de-
livery of interpretive or educational programs 
where audience size, environmental conditions, 
safety, or other factors make such assistance 
desirable; 
‘‘(C) to present programs that relate the 
personal experience of the Corps participants 
for the purpose of promoting public awareness 
of the Corps, the role of the Corps in public 
land management agencies, and the availability 
of the Corps to potential participants; and 
‘‘(D) to create nonpersonal interpretive 
products, such as website content, Junior Rang-
er program books, printed handouts, and audio-
visual programs.’’; 
(6) in subsection (g), as redesignated by para-
graph (1)— 
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), 
by striking ‘‘those projects which’’ and inserting 
‘‘priority projects and other projects that’’; and 
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110 
(B) by striking paragraph (2) and insert-
ing the following new paragraph: 
‘‘(2) will instill in Corps participants a work 
ethic and a sense of public service;’’; and 
(7) by adding at the end the following new sub-
sections: 
‘‘(i) OTHER PARTICIPANTS.—The Secretary may 
allow volunteers from other programs administered or des-
ignated by the Secretary to participate as volunteers in 
projects carried out under this section. 
‘‘(j) CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECKS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The requirements of sec-
tion 189D(b) of the National and Community Serv-
ice Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12645g(b)) shall apply 
to each individual age 18 or older seeking— 
‘‘(A) to become a Corps participant; 
‘‘(B) to receive funds authorized under this 
Act; or 
‘‘(C) to supervise or otherwise have regular 
contact with Corps participants in activities au-
thorized under this Act. 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBILITY
PROHIBITION.—If any of 
paragraphs (1) through (4) of section 189D(c) of 
the National and Community Service Act of 1990 
(42 U.S.C. 12645g(c)) apply to an individual de-
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111 
scribed in paragraph (1), that individual shall not be 
eligible for the position or activity described in para-
graph (1), unless the Secretary provides an exemp-
tion for good cause.’’. 
(g) RESIDENTIAL CONSERVATION CENTERS
AND 
PROGRAM SUPPORT.—Section 205 of the Public Lands 
Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 1724) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘The Secretary’’ and in-
serting the following: 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary’’; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraphs: 
‘‘(2) TEMPORARY
HOUSING.—The Secretary 
may make arrangements with another Federal agen-
cy, State, local government, or private organization 
to provide temporary housing for Corps participants 
as needed and available. 
‘‘(3) 
TRANSPORTATION.—In 
project 
areas 
where Corps participants reside at their own homes, 
the Secretary may provide transportation to and 
from project sites.’’; 
(2) by redesignating subsection (d) as sub-
section (e); 
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(3) by inserting after subsection (c) the fol-
lowing new subsection: 
‘‘(d) MENTORS.—The Secretary may recruit from 
programs, such as Federal volunteer and encore service 
programs, and from veterans groups, military retirees, and 
active duty personnel, such adults as may be suitable and 
qualified to provide training, mentoring, and crew-leading 
services to Corps participants.’’; and 
(4) in subsection (e), as redesignated by para-
graph (2), by striking ‘‘that are appropriate’’ and all 
that follows through the period and inserting ‘‘that 
the Secretary determines to be necessary for a resi-
dential conservation center.’’. 
(h) RESOURCE ASSISTANTS AND CONSULTING IN-
TERNS.—Section 206 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 
1993 (16 U.S.C. 1725) is amended— 
(1) in the section heading, by inserting ‘‘AND 
CONSULTING INTERNS’’ before the period; and 
(2) by striking subsections (a) and (b) and in-
serting the following new subsections: 
‘‘(a) AUTHORIZATION.— 
‘‘(1) RESOURCE ASSISTANTS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary may 
provide individual placements of resource assist-
ants with any agency under the jurisdiction of 
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the Secretary that carries out appropriate nat-
ural 
and 
cultural 
resources 
conservation 
projects to carry out research or resource pro-
tection activities on behalf of the agency. 
‘‘(B) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible for se-
lection as a resource assistant, an individual 
shall be at least 17 years of age. 
‘‘(C) PREFERENCE.—In selecting resource 
assistants for placement under this paragraph, 
the Secretary shall give a preference to individ-
uals who are enrolled in an institution of higher 
education or are recent graduates from an insti-
tution of higher education, with particular at-
tention given to ensuring full representation of 
women and participants from Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving in-
stitutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities. 
‘‘(2) CONSULTING INTERNS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary may 
provide individual placements of consulting in-
terns with any agency under the jurisdiction of 
the Secretary that carries out appropriate nat-
ural 
and 
cultural 
resources 
conservation 
projects to carry out management analysis ac-
tivities on behalf of the agency. 
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114 
‘‘(B) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible for se-
lection as a consulting intern, an individual 
shall be enrolled in, and have completed at least 
1 full year at, a graduate or professional school 
that has been accredited by an accrediting body 
recognized by the Secretary of Education. 
‘‘(b) USE
OF EXISTING NONPROFIT ORGANIZA-
TIONS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Whenever one or more non-
profit organizations can provide appropriate recruit-
ment and placement services to fulfill the require-
ments of this section, the Secretary may implement 
this section through such organizations. 
‘‘(2) EXPENSES.—Participating organizations 
shall contribute to the expenses of providing and 
supporting the resource assistants or consulting in-
terns from sources of funding other than the Sec-
retary, at a level of not less than 25 percent of the 
total costs (15 percent of which may be from in-kind 
sources) of each participant in the resource assistant 
or consulting intern program who has been recruited 
and placed through that organization. 
‘‘(3) REPORTING.—Each participating organi-
zation shall be required to submit an annual report 
evaluating the scope, size, and quality of the pro-
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115 
gram, including the value of work contributed by the 
resource assistants and consulting interns, to the 
mission of the agency.’’. 
(i) INCLUSION OF INDIAN YOUTH SERVICE CORPS 
AND ISSUANCE OF GUIDANCE.—The Public Lands Corps 
Act of 1993 is amended— 
(1) by redesignating sections 207 through 211 
(16 U.S.C. 1726 through 1730) as sections 209 
through 213, respectively; and 
(2) by inserting after section 206 (16 U.S.C. 
1725) the following new sections: 
‘‘SEC. 207. INDIAN YOUTH SERVICE CORPS. 
‘‘(a) AUTHORIZATION
OF
COOPERATIVE
AGREE-
MENTS AND COMPETITIVE GRANTS.—The Secretary is au-
thorized to enter into cooperative agreements with, or 
make competitive grants to, Indian tribes and qualified 
youth or conservation corps for the establishment and ad-
ministration of Indian Youth Service Corps programs to 
carry out appropriate natural and cultural resources con-
servation projects on Indian lands. 
‘‘(b) APPLICATION.—To be eligible to receive assist-
ance under this section, an Indian tribe or a qualified 
youth or conservation corps shall submit to the Secretary 
an application in such manner and containing such infor-
mation as the Secretary may require, including— 
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116 
‘‘(1) a description of the methods by which In-
dian youth will be recruited for and retained in the 
Indian Youth Service Corps; 
‘‘(2) a description of the projects to be carried 
out by the Indian Youth Service Corps; 
‘‘(3) a description of how the projects were 
identified; and 
‘‘(4) an explanation of the impact of, and the 
direct community benefits provided by, the proposed 
projects. 
‘‘SEC. 208. GUIDANCE. 
‘‘Not later than 18 months after funds are made 
available to the Secretary to carry out this Act, the Sec-
retary shall issue guidelines for the management of pro-
grams under the jurisdiction of the Secretary that are au-
thorized under this Act.’’. 
(j) LIVING ALLOWANCES AND TERMS OF SERVICE.— 
Section 209 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 
U.S.C. 1726), as redesignated by subsection (i), is amend-
ed by striking subsections (a), (b), and (c) and inserting 
the following new subsections: 
‘‘(a) LIVING ALLOWANCES.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide 
each Corps participant with a living allowance in an 
amount established by the Secretary. 
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117 
‘‘(2) TRAVEL COSTS.—The Secretary may reim-
burse Corps participants for travel costs at the be-
ginning and end of the term of service of the Corps 
participants. 
‘‘(b) TERMS OF SERVICE.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—Each Corps participant 
shall agree to participate for such term of service as 
may be established by the Secretary. 
‘‘(2) CONSULTATIONS.—With respect to the In-
dian Youth Service Corps, the term of service shall 
be established in consultation with the affected In-
dian tribe or tribally authorized organization. 
‘‘(c) HIRING PREFERENCE AND FUTURE EMPLOY-
MENT.—The Secretary may— 
‘‘(1) grant to a Corps participant credit for 
time served as a Corps participant, which may be 
used toward future Federal hiring; 
‘‘(2) provide to a former participant of the 
Corps or the Indian Youth Service Corps non-
competitive hiring status for a period of not more 
than 2 years after the date on which the service of 
the candidate in the Corps or the Indian Youth 
Service Corps was complete, if the candidate— 
‘‘(A) has served a minimum of 960 hours 
on an appropriate natural or cultural resources 
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118 
conservation project that included at least 120 
hours through the Corps or the Indian Youth 
Service Corps; and 
‘‘(B) meets Office of Personnel Manage-
ment qualification standards for the position for 
which the candidate is applying; 
‘‘(3) provide to a former resource assistant or 
consulting intern noncompetitive hiring status for a 
period of not more than 2 years after the date on 
which the individual has completed an under-
graduate or graduate degree, respectively, from an 
accredited institution, if the candidate— 
‘‘(A) successfully fulfilled the resource as-
sistant or consulting intern program require-
ments; and 
‘‘(B) meets Office of Personnel Manage-
ment qualification standards for the position for 
which the candidate is applying; and 
‘‘(4) provide, or enter into contracts or coopera-
tive agreements with qualified employment agencies 
to provide, alumni services such as job and edu-
cation counseling, referrals, verification of service, 
communications, and other appropriate services to 
Corps participants who have completed the term of 
service.’’. 
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(i) in the second sentence, by striking 
‘‘nonfederal 
sources’’ 
and 
inserting 
‘‘sources other than the Secretary’’; and 
(ii) by inserting after the second sen-
tence the following: ‘‘The Secretary may 
pay up to 90 percent of the costs of a 
project if the Secretary determines that the 
reduction is necessary to enable participa-
tion from a greater range of organizations 
or individuals.’’; and 
(B) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘or In-
dian Youth Service Corps’’ after ‘‘Corps’’ each 
place it appears; 
(2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the 
following new subsection: 
‘‘(b) FUNDS AVAILABLE UNDER NATIONAL
AND 
COMMUNITY SERVICE ACT.—To carry out this title, the 
Secretary shall be eligible to apply for and receive assist-
ance under section 121(b) of the National and Community 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 12571(b)).’’; and 
(3) in subsection (c)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘section 211’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘section 213’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘or Indian Youth Service 
Corps’’ after ‘‘Corps’’. 
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121 
(n) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 
213 of the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 (16 U.S.C. 
1730), as redesignated by subsection (i), is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘year’’ and all 
that follows through the period and inserting 
‘‘year.’’; 
(2) by striking subsection (b); and 
(3) by redesignating subsection (c) as sub-
section (b). 
SEC. 307. COASTAL STATE CLIMATE CHANGE PLANNING. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Coastal Zone Management 
Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.) is amended by add-
ing at the end the following: 
‘‘CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION PLANNING 
‘‘SEC. 320. (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall 
establish consistent with the national policies set forth in 
section 303 a coastal climate change adaptation planning 
and response program to— 
‘‘(1) provide assistance to coastal states to vol-
untarily develop coastal climate change adaptation 
plans pursuant to approved management programs 
approved under section 306, to minimize contribu-
tions to climate change and to prepare for and re-
duce the negative consequences that may result from 
climate change in the coastal zone; and 
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122 
‘‘(2) provide financial and technical assistance 
and training to enable coastal states to implement 
plans developed pursuant to this section through 
coastal states’ enforceable policies. 
‘‘(b) GUIDELINES.—Within 180 days after the date 
of enactment of this section, the Secretary, in consultation 
with the coastal states, shall issue guidelines for the imple-
mentation of the grant program established under sub-
section (c). 
‘‘(c) CLIMATE
CHANGE
ADAPTATION
PLANNING 
GRANTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, subject to 
the availability of appropriations, may make a grant 
to any coastal state for the purpose of developing cli-
mate change adaptation plans pursuant to guidelines 
issued by the Secretary under subsection (b). 
‘‘(2) PLAN CONTENT.—A plan developed with a 
grant under this section shall include the following: 
‘‘(A) Identification of public facilities and 
public services, working waterfronts, coastal re-
sources of national significance, coastal waters, 
energy facilities, or other land and water uses 
located in the coastal zone that are likely to be 
impacted by climate change. 
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123 
‘‘(B) Adaptive management strategies for 
land use to respond or adapt to changing envi-
ronmental conditions, including strategies to 
protect biodiversity, protect water quality, and 
establish habitat buffer zones, migration cor-
ridors, and climate refugia. 
‘‘(C) Requirements to initiate and main-
tain long-term monitoring of environmental 
change to assess coastal zone adaptation and to 
adjust when necessary adaptive management 
strategies and new planning guidelines to attain 
the policies under section 303. 
‘‘(D) Other information considered nec-
essary by the Secretary to identify the full 
range of climate change impacts affecting coast-
al communities. 
‘‘(3) STATE
HAZARD
MITIGATION
PLANS.— 
Plans developed with a grant under this section shall 
be consistent with State hazard mitigation plans and 
natural disaster response and recovery programs de-
veloped under State or Federal law. 
‘‘(4) ALLOCATION.—Grants under this section 
shall be available only to coastal states with manage-
ment programs approved by the Secretary under sec-
tion 306 and shall be allocated among such coastal 
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124 
states in a manner consistent with regulations pro-
mulgated pursuant to section 306(c). 
‘‘(5) PRIORITY.—In the awarding of grants 
under this subsection the Secretary may give priority 
to any coastal state that has received grant funding 
to develop program changes pursuant to paragraphs 
(1), (2), (3), (5), (6), (7), and (8) of section 309(a). 
‘‘(6) TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.—The Secretary 
may provide technical assistance to a coastal state 
consistent with section 310 to ensure the timely de-
velopment of plans supported by grants awarded 
under this subsection. 
‘‘(7) FEDERAL APPROVAL.—In order to be eligi-
ble for a grant under subsection (d), a coastal state 
must have its plan developed under this section ap-
proved by the Secretary. 
‘‘(d) COASTAL ADAPTATION PROJECT GRANTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, subject to 
the availability of appropriations, may make grants 
to any coastal state that has a climate change adap-
tation plan approved under subsection (c)(7), in 
order to support projects that implement strategies 
contained within such plans. 
‘‘(2) PROGRAM
REQUIREMENTS.—The Sec-
retary within 90 days after approval of the first plan 
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125 
approved under subsection (c)(7), shall publish in 
the Federal Register requirements regarding appli-
cations, allocations, eligible activities, and all terms 
and conditions for grants awarded under this sub-
section. No less than 30 percent, and no more than 
50 percent, of the funds appropriated in any fiscal 
year for grants under this subsection shall be award-
ed through a merit-based competitive process. 
‘‘(3) ELIGIBLE
ACTIVITIES.—The Secretary 
may award grants to coastal states to implement 
projects in the coastal zone to address stress factors 
in order to improve coastal climate change adapta-
tion, including the following: 
‘‘(A) Activities to address physical disturb-
ances within the coastal zone, especially activi-
ties related to public facilities and public serv-
ices, tourism, sedimentation, ocean acidification, 
and other factors negatively impacting coastal 
waters, and fisheries-associated habitat destruc-
tion or alteration. 
‘‘(B) Monitoring, control, or eradication of 
disease organisms and invasive species. 
‘‘(C) Activities to address the loss, deg-
radation, or fragmentation of wildlife habitat 
through projects to establish or protect marine 
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126 
and terrestrial habitat buffers, wildlife refugia, 
other wildlife refuges, or networks thereof, pres-
ervation of migratory wildlife corridors and 
other transition zones, and restoration of fish 
and wildlife habitat. 
‘‘(D) Implementation of projects to reduce, 
mitigate, or otherwise address likely impacts 
caused by natural hazards in the coastal zone, 
including sea level rise, coastal inundation, 
coastal erosion and subsidence, severe weather 
events such as cyclonic storms, tsunamis and 
other seismic threats, and fluctuating Great 
Lakes water levels. 
‘‘(E) Provide technical training and assist-
ance to local coastal policy makers to increase 
awareness of science, management, and tech-
nology information related to climate change 
and adaptation strategies. 
‘‘(4) PROMOTION AND USE OF NATIONAL ESTU-
ARINE RESEARCH RESERVES.—The Secretary shall 
promote and encourage the use of National Estua-
rine Research Reserves as sites for pilot or dem-
onstration projects carried out with grants awarded 
under this section.’’. 
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(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Section 
318(a) of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 
U.S.C. 1464) is further amended by striking ‘‘and’’ after 
the semicolon at the end of paragraph (1), by striking the 
period at the end of paragraph (2) and inserting ‘‘; and’’, 
and by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) for grants under subsections (c) and (d) of 
section 320, such sums as are necessary.’’. 
(c) INTENT OF CONGRESS.—Nothing in this section 
shall be construed to require any coastal state to amend 
or modify its approved management program pursuant to 
section 306(e) of the Coastal Zone Management Act of 
1972 (16 U.S.C. 1455(e)), or to extend the enforceable 
policies of a coastal state beyond the coastal zone as iden-
tified in the coastal state’s approved management pro-
gram. 
TITLE IV—ONSHORE OIL AND 
GAS REFORM 
Subtitle A—Leasing Reforms 
SEC. 401. LEASING PROCESS. 
(a) ONSHORE OIL AND GAS LEASING.—Section 17(a) 
of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(a)) is amended 
to read as follows: 
‘‘(a) LEASING AUTHORITY.— 
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‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—All lands subject to disposi-
tion under this Act that are known or believed to 
contain oil or gas deposits may be leased by the Sec-
retary. 
‘‘(2) RECEIPT OF FAIR MARKET VALUE.—Leas-
ing activities under this Act shall be conducted to 
assure receipt of fair market value for the lands and 
resources leased and the rights conveyed by the Fed-
eral Government.’’. 
(b) COMPETITIVE BIDDING.—Section 17(b)(1)(A) of 
the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(b)(1)(A)), as 
amended by this Act, is further amended by— 
(1) striking so much as precedes ‘‘A lease shall 
be conditioned’’ and inserting ‘‘All lands to be leased 
shall be leased as provided in this paragraph to the 
highest responsible qualified bidder by competitive 
bidding under general regulations in units of not 
more than 2,560 acres, except in Alaska, where 
units shall be not more than 5,760 acres. Such units 
shall be as nearly compact as possible. Lease sales 
shall be conducted by sealed bid. Lease sales shall 
be held for each State in which there are lands eligi-
ble for leasing no more than 3 times each year, and 
on a rotating basis such that the lands under the re-
sponsibility of any Bureau of Land Management 
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129 
field office are available for leasing no more than 
one time each year.’’; 
(2) striking ‘‘The Secretary shall accept’’ and 
all that follows through ‘‘for the first lease year.’’ 
and inserting ‘‘The Secretary may issue a lease to 
the responsible qualified bidder with the highest bid 
that is equal to or greater than the national min-
imum acceptable bid. The Secretary shall decide 
whether to accept a bid and issue a lease within 90 
days following payment by the successful bidder of 
the remainder of the bonus bid, if any, and the an-
nual rental for the first lease year.’’; and 
(3) striking the last sentence. 
(c) MINIMUM BID.—Subparagraph (B) of section 
17(b)(1) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 
226(b)(1)), as amended by this Act, is further amended 
by striking ‘‘Thereafter’’ and all that follows through the 
end of the subparagraph and inserting ‘‘The Secretary 
may establish a higher minimum acceptable bid if the Sec-
retary finds that such a higher amount is necessary (i) 
to enhance financial returns to the United States; and (ii) 
to promote more efficient management of oil and gas re-
sources on Federal lands. The Secretary may reject a bid 
above the national minimum acceptable bid if, after eval-
uation of the value of the lands proposed for lease, the 
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Secretary determines that the bid amount does not ensure 
that fair market value is obtained for the lease. The pro-
posal or promulgation of any regulation to establish a 
higher minimum acceptable bid shall not be considered a 
major Federal action that is subject to the requirements 
of section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy 
Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)).’’. 
(d) RENTALS.—Section 17(d) of the Mineral Leasing 
Act (30 U.S.C. 226(d)), as amended by this Act, is further 
amended by— 
(1) striking so much as precedes ‘‘shall be con-
ditioned’’ and inserting the following: 
‘‘(d) During the 2-year period beginning on the date 
of the enactment of the Sustainable Energy Development 
Reform Act, all leases issued under this section’’; and 
(2) inserting before ‘‘A minimum royalty’’ the 
following: ‘‘After the end of such 2-year period, the 
Secretary may establish higher rental rates for all 
subsequent years, if the Secretary finds that such 
action is necessary to enhance financial returns to 
the United States and promote more efficient man-
agement of oil and gas and alternative energy re-
sources on Federal lands.’’. 
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131 
(e) ELIMINATION OF NONCOMPETITIVE LEASING.— 
The Mineral Leasing Act, as amended by this Act, is fur-
ther amended— 
(1) in section 17(b) (30 U.S.C. 226(b)), by 
striking paragraph (3); 
(2) by amending section 17(c) (30 U.S.C. 
226(c)) to read as follows: 
‘‘(c) Lands made available for leasing under sub-
section (b)(1) but for which no bids are received, or for 
which the highest bid was less than the national minimum 
acceptable bid, or for which the highest bid was deter-
mined to be below fair market value, may thereafter be 
made available for leasing only in accordance with sub-
section (b)(1).’’; 
(3) in section 17(e) (30 U.S.C. 226(e))— 
(A) by striking ‘‘Competitive and non-
competitive leases’’ and inserting ‘‘Leases’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘competitive’’; 
(4) in section 31(d)(1) (30 U.S.C. 188(d)(1)) 
by striking ‘‘or section 17(c)’’; 
(5) in section 31(e) (30 U.S.C. 188(e))— 
(A) in paragraph (2) by striking ‘‘, or the 
inclusion’’ and all that follows and inserting a 
semicolon; and 
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(B) in paragraph (3) by striking ‘‘(A)’’ 
and by striking subparagraph (B); 
(6) by striking section 31(f) (30 U.S.C. 188(f)); 
and 
(7) in section 31(g) (30 U.S.C. 188(g))— 
(A) in paragraph (1) by striking ‘‘as a 
competitive’’ and all that follows through the 
period and inserting ‘‘in the same manner as 
the original lease issued pursuant to section 
17.’’; 
(B) by striking paragraph (2) and redesig-
nating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs 
(2) and (3), respectively; and 
(C) in paragraph (2), as so redesignated, 
by striking ‘‘, applicable to leases issued under 
subsection 17(c) of this Act (30 U.S.C. 226(c)) 
except,’’ and inserting ‘‘, except’’. 
(f) LEASE TERM.—Section 17(e) of the Mineral 
Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(e)) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘10 years’’ and inserting ‘‘5 
years’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘ten years’’ and inserting ‘‘5 
years’’. 
(g) 
OTHER
LEASING
REQUIREMENTS.—Section 
17(g) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(g)), as 
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amended by section 104 of this Act, is further amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(7) LIMITATION.—The Secretary shall not 
issue a lease or approve the assignment of any lease 
to any person, or to any subsidiary or affiliate of 
such person or any other person controlled by or 
under common control with such person, unless such 
person has the demonstrated capability to explore 
and produce oil and gas under the lease. 
‘‘(8) PROTECTION
OF
LEASED
LANDS
FOR 
OTHER USES.—Each lease under this section shall 
include such terms as are necessary to preserve the 
Federal Government’s flexibility to control or pro-
hibit activities that pose serious and unacceptable 
impacts to the value of the leased lands for uses 
other than production of oil and gas.’’. 
SEC. 402. TRANSPARENCY AND LANDOWNER PROTECTIONS. 
(a) DISCLOSURE
OF IDENTITIES FILING DISCLO-
SURES OF INTEREST AND BIDS.—Section 17(b) of the 
Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(b)), as amended by 
this Act, is further amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(3) The Secretary— 
‘‘(A) shall require that each expression of 
interest to bid for a lease under this section and 
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each bid for a lease under this section shall in-
clude the name of the person for whom such ex-
pression of interest or bid is submitted; and 
‘‘(B) shall promptly publish each such 
name.’’. 
(b) NOTICE REQUIREMENTS.—Section 17(f) of the 
Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 226(f)) is amended by 
striking all through the first 2 sentences and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(f)(1) At least 45 days before offering lands for 
lease under this section, and at least 30 days before ap-
proving applications for permits to drill under the provi-
sions of a lease, modifying the terms of any lease issued 
under this section, or granting a waiver, exception, or 
modification of any stipulation of a lease issued under this 
section, the Secretary shall provide notice of the proposed 
action to— 
‘‘(A) the general public by posting such notice 
in the appropriate local office and on the electronic 
website of the leasing and land management agen-
cies offering the lands for lease; 
‘‘(B) all surface land owners in the area of the 
lands being offered for lease; and 
‘‘(C) the holders of special recreation permits 
for commercial use, competitive events, and other or-
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ganized activities on the lands being offered for 
lease. 
‘‘(2)’’. 
(c) SURFACE OWNER PROTECTION.— 
(1) POST-LEASE SURFACE USE AGREEMENT.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
paragraph (2), the Secretary may not authorize 
any operator to conduct exploration and drilling 
operations on lands with respect to which title 
to oil and gas resources is held by the United 
States but title to the surface estate is not held 
by the United States, until the operator has 
filed with the Secretary a document, signed by 
the operator and the surface owner or owners, 
showing that the operator has secured a written 
surface use agreement between the operator 
and the surface owner or owners that meets the 
requirements of subparagraph (B). 
(B) CONTENTS.—The surface use agree-
ment shall provide for— 
(i) the use of only such portion of the 
surface estate as is reasonably necessary 
for exploration and drilling operations 
based on site-specific conditions; 
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(ii) the accommodation of the surface 
estate owner to the maximum extent prac-
ticable, including the location, use, timing, 
and type of exploration and drilling oper-
ations, consistent with the operator’s right 
to develop the oil and gas estate; 
(iii) the reclamation of the site to a 
condition capable of supporting the uses 
which such lands were capable of sup-
porting prior to exploration and drilling 
operations; and 
(iv) compensation for damages as a 
result of exploration and drilling oper-
ations, including but not limited to— 
(I) loss of income and increased 
costs incurred; 
(II) damage to or destruction of 
personal property, including crops, 
forage, and livestock; and 
(III) failure to reclaim the site in 
accordance with this clause (iii). 
(C) PROCEDURE.— 
(i) An operator shall notify the sur-
face estate owner or owners of the opera-
tor’s desire to conclude an agreement 
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under this section. If the surface estate 
owner and the operator do not reach an 
agreement within 90 days after the oper-
ator has provided such notice, the matter 
shall be referred to third-party arbitration 
for resolution within a period of 90 days. 
The cost of such arbitration shall be the 
responsibility of the operator. 
(ii) The Secretary shall identify per-
sons with experience in conducting arbitra-
tions and shall make this information 
available to operators. 
(iii) Referral of a matter for arbitra-
tion by a person identified by the Secretary 
pursuant to clause (ii) shall be sufficient to 
constitute compliance with clause (i). 
(D) ATTORNEYS FEES.—If action is taken 
to enforce or interpret any of the terms and 
conditions contained in a surface use agree-
ment, the prevailing party shall be reimbursed 
by the other party for reasonable attorneys fees 
and actual costs incurred, in addition to any 
other relief which a court or arbitration panel 
may grant. 
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(2) AUTHORIZED EXPLORATION AND DRILLING 
OPERATIONS.— 
(A) AUTHORIZATION
WITHOUT
SURFACE 
USE AGREEMENT.—The Secretary may author-
ize an operator to conduct exploration and drill-
ing operations on lands covered by paragraph 
(1) in the absence of an agreement with the 
surface estate owner or owners, if— 
(i) the Secretary makes a determina-
tion in writing that the operator made a 
good faith attempt to conclude such an 
agreement, including referral of the matter 
to arbitration pursuant to paragraph 
(1)(C), but that no agreement was con-
cluded within 90 days after the referral to 
arbitration; 
(ii) the operator submits a plan of op-
erations that provides for the matters spec-
ified in paragraph (1)(B) and for compli-
ance with all other applicable requirements 
of Federal and State law; and 
(iii) the operator posts a bond or 
other financial assurance in an amount the 
Secretary determines to be adequate to en-
sure compensation to the surface estate 
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owner for any damages to the site, in the 
form of a surety bond, trust fund, letter of 
credit, government security, certificate of 
deposit, cash, or equivalent. 
(B) SURFACE
OWNER
PARTICIPATION.— 
The Secretary shall provide surface estate own-
ers with an opportunity to— 
(i) comment on plans of operations in 
advance of a determination of compliance 
with this title; 
(ii) participate in bond level deter-
minations and bond release proceedings 
under this section; 
(iii) attend an on-site inspection dur-
ing such determinations and proceedings; 
(iv) file written objections to a pro-
posed bond release; and 
(v) request and participate in an on- 
site inspection when they have reason to 
believe there is a violation of the terms and 
conditions of a plan of operations. 
(C) 
PAYMENT
OF
FINANCIAL
GUAR-
ANTEE.—A surface estate owner with respect to 
any land subject to a lease may petition the 
Secretary for payment of all or any portion of 
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a bond or other financial assurance required 
under this section as compensation for any 
damages as a result of exploration and drilling 
operations. Pursuant to such a petition, the 
Secretary may use such bond or other guar-
antee to provide compensation to the surface es-
tate owner for such damages. 
(D) BOND RELEASE.—Upon request and 
after inspection and opportunity for surface es-
tate owner review, the Secretary may release 
the financial assurance required under this sec-
tion if the Secretary determines that explo-
ration and drilling operations are ended and all 
damages have been fully compensated. 
(3) SURFACE OWNER NOTIFICATION.—The Sec-
retary shall— 
(A) notify surface estate owners in writing 
at least 45 days in advance of lease sales; 
(B) within ten working days after a lease 
is issued, notify surface estate owners of re-
garding the identity of the lessee; 
(C) notify surface estate owners in writing 
concerning any subsequent decisions regarding 
a lease, such as modifying or waiving stipula-
tions and approving rights-of-way; and 
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(D) notify surface estate owners within five 
business days after issuance of a drilling permit 
under a lease. 
SEC. 403. LEASE STIPULATIONS. 
(a) ENERGY
POLICY
ACT
OF
2005.—Section 
363(b)(3)(C) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 
15922(b)(3)(C)) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(C) adequately protective of the resource 
for which the stipulations are applied;’’. 
(b) REVISION
OF EXISTING MEMORANDUM.—Not 
later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of 
this Act the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary 
of Agriculture shall revise the memorandum of under-
standing under section 363(b)(3)(C) of the Energy Policy 
Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15922) in accordance with the 
amendment made by subsection (a). 
SEC. 404. MASTER LEASING PLANS. 
Section 17(a) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 
226(a)), as amended by section 401, is further amended 
by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(3) MASTER LEASING PLANS.— 
‘‘(A) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary may 
adopt and implement a master leasing plan to 
govern the issuance of oil and gas leases under 
this Act for any Federal lands, in accordance 
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with Bureau of Land Management Instruction 
Memorandum No. 2010–117, dated May 17, 
2010, as in effect on April 24, 2017, and with-
out regard to any recision, revocation, amend-
ment, or other modification to such memo-
randum after such date. 
‘‘(B) FACTORS AND CONSIDERATIONS.—In 
deciding whether to adopt and implement mas-
ter leasing plans, the Secretary— 
‘‘(i) shall construe the factors stated 
in such Instruction Memorandum broadly; 
and 
‘‘(ii) shall consider the benefits of 
avoiding conflicts and protecting other re-
sources exercising discretion for adopting 
master leasing plan. 
‘‘(C) REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary shall 
adopt and implement a master leasing plan 
under subparagraph (A) applicable to leases for 
Federal lands in a State or county of a State, 
if requested by the government of such State or 
county, respectively. 
‘‘(D) PETITIONS.— 
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Any person who is 
a resident of a State or county of a State 
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may submit a petition to the Secretary re-
questing the Secretary to adopt and imple-
ment a master leasing plan under subpara-
graph (A) applicable to the issuance of 
leases for Federal lands in that State or 
county, respectively. 
‘‘(ii) CONSIDERATION.—If the Sec-
retary receives such a petition, the Sec-
retary shall promptly issue a determination 
of whether or not the adoption and imple-
mentation of such a master leasing plan is 
appropriate.’’. 
SEC. 405. PARCEL REVIEW. 
Section 17(a) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 
226(a)), as amended by sections 401 and 404 of this Act, 
is further amended by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(4) PARCEL
REVIEW.—The Secretary shall 
issue oil and gas leases under this Act only in ac-
cordance with subsections C through I of section III 
of Bureau of Land Management Instruction Memo-
randum No. 2010–117, dated May 17, 2010.’’. 
SEC. 406. ACREAGE LIMITATIONS. 
Section 27(d)(1) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 
U.S.C. 184(d)(1)) is amended by striking ‘‘, and acreage 
under any lease any portion of which has been committed 
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144 
to a federally approved unit or cooperative plan or 
communitization agreement or for which royalty (includ-
ing compensatory royalty or royalty in-kind) was paid in 
the preceding calendar year,’’. 
SEC. 407. LAND MANAGEMENT. 
Section 17(g) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 
226(g)) is further amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(9) MULTIPLE-USE MANAGEMENT.—The Sec-
retary of the Interior, or for National Forest lands, 
the Secretary of Agriculture, shall manage lands 
that are subject to an oil and gas lease under this 
Act in accordance with the principles, policies, and 
requirements relating to multiple use under the Fed-
eral Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 
U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), until the beginning of oper-
ations under such lease.’’. 
SEC. 408. OIL SHALE. 
Section 21(a) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 
241(a)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘The Sec-
retary of the Interior’’ and inserting ‘‘Subject to 
paragraph (6), the Secretary of the Interior’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
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‘‘(6) The Secretary may not issue any lease for oil 
shale under this Act before the date the Secretary issues 
a finding that the technical and economic feasibility of de-
velopment of and production from such deposit has been 
demonstrated under section 369 of the Energy Policy Act 
of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15927).’’. 
Subtitle B—Permitting Reforms 
SEC. 411. CATEGORICAL EXCLUSIONS. 
Section 390 of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (42 
U.S.C. 15942) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(c) LIMITATION BASED ON EXTRAORDINARY CIR-
CUMSTANCES.—The categorical exclusion established 
under subsection (a) shall be subject to extraordinary cir-
cumstances in accordance with the Departmental Manual, 
516 DM 2.3A(3) and 516 DM 2, Appendix 2 (or successor 
provisions).’’. 
SEC. 412. PERMITTING DEADLINE. 
Section 17(p) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 
226(p)) is amended— 
(1) by striking the heading and inserting the 
following: ‘‘NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF PERMIT APPLI-
CATIONS.—’’; 
(2) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3); and 
(3) in paragraph (1)— 
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(A) by striking ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—’’; 
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) 
and (B) as paragraphs (1) and (2), respectively; 
and 
(C) by moving paragraphs (1) and (2), as 
so redesignated, 2 ems to the left. 
SEC. 413. ABANDONED AND ORPHANED WELLS. 
(a) DEFINITION.—As used in this section, the term 
‘‘abandoned well’’ means any well drilled for the purpose 
of exploring for or developing oil or gas resources (includ-
ing coalbed methane) that— 
(1) has not been in operation for a period of 12 
continuous months, unless the owner or operator has 
notified the Secretary of the Interior (for wells 
drilled to explore for or develop minerals owned by 
the United States) or the relevant State regulatory 
agency (for wells drilled to explore for or develop 
minerals not owned by the United States) that the 
well has been temporarily shut down; or 
(2) has not been operative for more than 60 
continuous months after the owner or operator has 
notified the Secretary of the Interior (for wells 
drilled to explore for or develop minerals owned by 
the United States) or the relevant State regulatory 
agency (for wells drilled to explore for or develop 
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147 
minerals not owned by the United States) that the 
well has been temporarily shut down. 
(b) FEDERAL REMEDIATION PROGRAM.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAM.— 
(A) The Secretary of the Interior, in co-
operation with the Secretary of Agriculture, 
shall establish a program to ensure to the max-
imum extent feasible the remediation, reclama-
tion, and closure of abandoned wells that— 
(i) are located on lands administered 
by an agency of the Department of the In-
terior or the Forest Service; or 
(ii) were drilled to explore for or de-
velop minerals owned by the United States 
located on lands with respect to which the 
surface estate is not owned by the United 
States. 
(B) In implementing the program, the Sec-
retary of the Interior— 
(i) shall cooperate with the Secretary 
of Agriculture and the States with respect 
to the Federal lands covered by the pro-
gram are located; and 
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148 
(ii) shall consult with the Secretary of 
Energy and the Interstate Oil and Gas 
Compact Commission. 
(C) The Secretary of the Interior shall es-
tablish the program by no later than 3 years 
after the date of enactment of this section. 
(2) PROGRAM ELEMENTS.—The program estab-
lished under paragraph (1) shall— 
(A) provide for identification of abandoned 
wells to be covered by the program; 
(B) establish a means of ranking critical 
sites for priority in remediation based on poten-
tial environmental harm, other land use prior-
ities, and public health and safety; and 
(C) provide as far as possible for identi-
fying any lessees or other persons responsible 
for abandoned wells, and for recovering the 
costs of remediation to the maximum extent 
feasible. 
(3) PLAN.—Within 6 months after the date of 
enactment of this section, the Secretary of the Inte-
rior, in cooperation with the Secretary of Agri-
culture, shall prepare a plan for implementing the 
program established under paragraph (1). A copy of 
the plan shall be transmitted to the Committee on 
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149 
Natural Resources of the House of Representatives 
and the Committee on Energy and Natural Re-
sources of the Senate. 
(4) REVIEW AND REPORT.— 
(A) No later than 3 years after the date of 
enactment of this section, the Secretary of the 
Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of 
Agriculture, shall complete a review of the sta-
tus of remediation, reclamation, and closure ac-
tions under the program. 
(B) Upon completion of the review re-
quired by subparagraph (A), the Secretary of 
the Interior shall provide to the Committee on 
Natural Resources of the House of Representa-
tives and the Committee on Energy and Nat-
ural Resources of the Senate— 
(i) a report on the results of the re-
view; 
(ii) information regarding any wells 
on lands covered by the program that have 
been abandoned since the date of enact-
ment of this section; and 
(iii) any recommendations the Sec-
retary may choose to make regarding legis-
lative or administration steps to further 
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150 
the purposes for which the program was 
established. 
(c) ASSISTANCE TO STATES AND TRIBES.— 
(1) STATE PROGRAM.—The Secretary of the In-
terior, in consultation with the Secretary of Energy, 
shall establish a program to provide technical assist-
ance to facilitate State efforts to develop and imple-
ment practical and economical remedies for environ-
mental problems caused by abandoned wells on lands 
that are not owned by the United States. The Sec-
retary shall work with the States, through the Inter-
state Oil and Gas Compact Commission, to assist 
the States in quantifying and mitigating environ-
mental risks of onshore abandoned wells on State 
and private lands. 
(2) TRIBAL PROGRAM.—The Secretary of the 
Interior, in consultation with the Secretary of En-
ergy, shall establish a program to provide technical 
assistance to facilitate efforts by Indian Tribes to 
develop and implement practical and economical 
remedies for environmental problems caused by 
abandoned wells on Indian lands, including lands 
held in trust by the United States. 
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(3) PROGRAM ELEMENTS.—So far as possible, 
the programs established under this section shall in-
clude— 
(A) mechanisms to facilitate identification 
of responsible parties; 
(B) criteria for ranking critical sites based 
on factors such as other land use priorities, po-
tential environmental harm and public visibility; 
and 
(C) information and training programs re-
garding best practices for remediation of dif-
ferent types of sites. 
(d) FUND.— 
(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in 
the Treasury a separate account to be known as the 
Abandoned and Orphaned Oil and Gas Well Cleanup 
Fund. 
(2) CONTENTS.—The account shall consist of 
amounts deposited in the account under section 
35(d) of the Mineral Leasing Act. 
(3) USE.—Of the amounts deposited into the 
account each fiscal year, there shall be available to 
the Secretary of the Interior— 
(A) $5,000,000 to carry out subsection (b); 
and 
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(B) $5,000,000 to carry out subsection (c). 
(e) SURCHARGE FEE FOR APPLICATIONS PERMITS 
TO DRILL.—Section 35(d) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 
U.S.C. 191(d)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘under para-
graph (1)’’ after ‘‘the fee’’; 
(2) in paragraph (3)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘this subsection’’ and in-
serting ‘‘paragraph (1)’’; and 
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking ‘‘the 
fees’’ and inserting ‘‘such fees’’; and 
(3) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the 
following: 
‘‘(4) SURCHARGE.— 
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In addition to the fee 
collected under paragraph (1), the Secretary 
shall collect a surcharge fee for each such new 
application for a permit to drill in the amount 
of $250 (as indexed as provided in paragraph 
(2)). 
‘‘(B) DEPOSIT.—Amounts collected as a 
surcharge fee under this paragraph shall be de-
posited into the Abandoned and Orphaned Oil 
and Gas Well Cleanup Fund established by sec-
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153 
tion 413 of the Sustainable Energy Develop-
ment Reform Act.’’. 
SEC. 414. ONLINE PUBLICATION OF NOTICES OF STAKING 
AND APPLICATIONS FOR PERMITS TO DRILL. 
Section 17(g) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. 
226(g)), as amended by this Act, is further amended by 
adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(10) PUBLICATION OF NOTICES OF STAKING 
AND APPLICATIONS FOR PERMITS TO DRILL.— 
‘‘(A) ONSITE REVIEW.—No onsite review 
may be conducted pursuant to a notice of stak-
ing under Onshore Oil and Gas Order No. 1 of 
the Bureau of Land Management (dated March 
7, 2007), or any successor authority, before the 
end of the 10-day period beginning on the date 
the Secretary publishes such notice on the 
Internet. 
‘‘(B) PERMITS TO DRILL.—No permit au-
thorizing drilling for purposes of exploration 
for, or development or production of, oil or gas 
under this Act may be issued before the end of 
the 30-day period beginning on the date the 
Secretary publishes the application for such 
permit on the Internet.’’. 
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166 
‘‘(C) report to the Secretary the volumes of 
gas measured under the requirements under 
subparagraph (A), including— 
‘‘(i) all new measured values for pro-
duction and disposition, including vented 
and flared volumes; and 
‘‘(ii) fugitive releases based on guide-
lines for their calculation established by 
the Secretary in the rule. 
‘‘(3) TRANSPARENCY.—The Secretary shall 
make all new data produced under the requirements 
established by the Secretary under this subsection, 
including calculated fugitive releases and volumes of 
gas lost to venting and flaring, publicly available 
through the internet— 
‘‘(A) without a fee or other access charge; 
‘‘(B) in a searchable, sortable, and 
downloadable manner, to the extent technically 
possible; and 
‘‘(C) as soon as technically practicable 
after the report by the operator is filed. 
‘‘(c) APPLICATION.—Except as otherwise specified in 
this section, the requirements established by the Secretary 
under this section shall apply to— 
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167 
‘‘(1) the construction and operation of any cov-
ered operation initiated after the date of the 
issuance of rules under this section; and 
‘‘(2) after the end of the 1-year period begin-
ning on the date of the issuance of such rules, any 
covered operation initiated before the date of the 
issuance of such rules. 
‘‘(d) ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall include 
in the rules issued under this section consistent en-
forcement mechanisms for covered operations that 
are not in compliance with the requirements estab-
lished by the rules. 
‘‘(2) REQUIREMENTS.—The enforcement mech-
anisms under paragraph (1) shall include— 
‘‘(A) civil penalties for unauthorized vent-
ing and flaring, which shall— 
‘‘(i) apply in lieu of the penalties 
under section 109; and 
‘‘(ii) include production restrictions 
and civil monetary penalties equivalent to 
3 times the market value of the vented or 
flared gas; and 
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