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sr.nT: Claimants must file with the BLM an identical coDV of any of the above-mentioned documents filed with the county. Even if a State does not have a filing requirement, claimants must stlu file with the BLM. The deadline for filing with the BLM is December 30 (not Decem- ber 31) of each calendar year following the calendaz yeaz of location. A nonrefundable $5 ~ service charge for each claim and site must accompany the affidavit or notice. A nonrefundable $25 service chazge must accom- pany apetition for deferment of assessment work. The BLM considers a claim or site abandoned and void if the claimant fails to file these docu- ments within the prescribed period. A determina- tion of abandonment by the BLM voids the claim or site. THE APPROPRIATE BLM STATE OFFICE IS THE ONLY OFFICIAL FILING OFFICE FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, except for the BLM Fairbanks Support Center in Alaska, which is an acceptable fdling office (see Figure 3). See Figure 4 for filing fees. Surface Management Most Federal agencies have regulations to protect the surface resources of the Federal lands during exploration and mining activities. Reclamation of disturbed sites is a requirement after comple- tion of exploration and mining activities. An- other requirement is the submission of a notice or a plan of operations before conducting any surface-disturbing activities, except for casual use activities. Also, most Stale governments have mining and reclamation requirements. To avoid duplication, several States have entered into cooperative agreements with Federal agen- cies. Operators should check with Federal and State agencies to determine the proper lead agency before submitting a notice or plan. 22 Forest Service: Exploration and mining activities on lands administered by the Forest Service are subject to the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture in 36 CFR 228(A). These regulations require that anyone whose proposed operation could likely cause "significant disturbance of surface resources"must submit an operating plan. The operating plan should describe the nature of the proposed disNrbance and steps to protect surface resources. It must describe steps proposed to reclaim the land after mining-related activities have stopped. Any proposed structures or occu- pancy must also be described. The plan must be approved by an authorized Forest Service officer. Miners wishing to prospect or locate claims or sites in National Forests should contact the local District Ranger concerning questions about operating plans. BLM: Exploration and mining activities on BLM-administered land are subject to the regula- tions of the Secretary of the Interior in 43 CFR 3809 and, for Wilderness Study Areas, 43 CFR 3802. These regulations require an operator to prevent unnecessary or undue degradation of the land. Far activities other than casual use, they require the operator to submit either a notice or a plan of operations and a reclamation plan. A plan of operations and a reclamation plan are required where activities involve the surface disturbance of more than 5 acres. Also, Special Category Lands, as defined in 43 CFR 3809.1, always require a plan of operations. The plan of operations must include a description of the proposed activities, road access and construction, reclamation mea- sures, timeframes ofnon-operation, and a sketch or a map of the area to be distutbed, including all access mutes. An environmental assessment (EA) or an environmental impact statement (EIS) must be prepared by the BLM or the claimant/operator prior to wmmencement of any surface-disturbing activities. A plan of operations must be approved by the BLM. Operations at the plan level may not commence until the plan is approved. 23