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San Juan River Workgroup <br /> Meeting#9 Summary <br /> Jan. 27, 2011 <br /> draft- 5 pages <br /> NOTE:The Web site for the River Protection Workgroup, including the San Juan River <br /> Workgroup, is http://ocs.fortlewis.edu/riverprotection. <br /> Recommendations: Facilitator Marsha-Porter Norton briefly reviewed the draft <br /> recommendations of the Workgroup. She said this is an emerging, living document and it is <br /> definitely not final yet. <br /> Supplementary information: Ann Oliver had prepared a handout with information to address <br /> questions and needs identified during the Nov. 29, 2010, meeting.This was presented and some <br /> of the issues were discussed. <br /> Mineral withdrawal as a way to protect the Outstandingly Remarkable Value of geology: San <br /> Juan Forest Supervisor Mark Stiles gave an overview of mineral withdrawals. He said a <br /> withdrawal can be made administratively, by the Interior Secretary,who has authority over <br /> federal minerals; or it can be done by Congress. <br /> Mark said there are differences in the two methods. When done administratively, a withdrawal <br /> can occur relatively quickly, and there is immediate protection for the area while the process is <br /> going on. Protection through Congress takes longer. However, Congress can withdraw as much <br /> acreage as it desires, while the maximum withdrawal that can be done by the Interior Secretary <br /> is 5,000 acres. Mark said mineral withdrawal is not taken lightly by the federal government. He <br /> said mineral withdrawals are also easier where there are not many minerals available. <br /> He said the federal government classifies minerals under three categories: <br /> • Locatable —hard-rock minerals, which fall under the 1872 Mining Law <br /> • Salable—lower-value minerals used in construction and building, such as sand and <br /> gravel, stone, and clay <br /> • Leasable—energy resources (oil and gas, coal and geothermal) <br /> Mark said in regard to locatables,the federal agencies do not stipulate which lands are or aren't <br /> available for development. Instead, developers come in and make a claim where they believe <br /> the mineral exists. With salables, the agency processes applications for sales and permits for <br /> mining the resources. Regarding leasables, the land-use plan for each national forest identifies <br /> land to be made available for leasing.There can be restrictions on how the resource is <br /> developed, such as no surface occupancy, limited timing, and others. <br /> Mark said mineral withdrawals can be done to cover all three types of minerals.The maximum <br /> time for a mineral withdrawal is 20 years if it is done administratively. Only Congress can make a <br /> withdrawal permanent. <br /> 1 <br />