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Unless otherwise stated in the text, citations used in these guidelines refer <br />Co the 1982 edition of the United States Code (U.S.C.) and to the 1986 Code of <br />Federal Regulations (CFR). <br />The following is intended to provide general guidance oa suspensions. It is <br />not the intent of these guidelines to address each specific or unique <br />circumstance which may occur with a coal or solid mineral lease. State <br />Offices having situations which do not appear to be specifically covered by <br />these guidelines are encouraged to contact the Bashing ton Office, Division of <br />Solid Mineral Operations (BO-660), at (202) 343-7722 or (FTS) 343-7722 for <br />further assistance. As discussed in Section II, Part A, subpart 4, <br />coordination with the Director (660) shall be ensured by the State Director <br />prior to approving or denying a suspension application. <br />SECTION I. TYPES OF SUSPENSIONS <br />Coal or solid mineral leases may be suspended under the authority granted to <br />[he Secretary of the Interior by MLA. The authority has been redelegated to <br />the authorized officer according to BLM Manual 1203, entitled "Delegation of <br />Authority". The Authorized Officer is hereby designated as the State <br />Director. The types of suspensions are: <br />° Suspension of operations and production in the interest of <br />conservation under Section 39 of MLA, hereafter referred to as <br />suspension of operations and production; <br />° Suspension of operations where a lease cannot be operated except at <br />a loos, hereafter referred to as suspension of operations; and <br />° Suspension due to strikes, the elements, or casualties not <br />attributable to the lessee, hereafter referred to as force <br />majeure suspension. <br />A. Suspension of Operations and Production. <br />In general, a suspension of operations and production will not be granted for <br />ezploratioa operations where such exploration operations are being conducted <br />prior to approval of a mine plan and commencement of mine development, or <br />during the time required to complete compliance with such environmental <br />statutes ae the Rational Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 II.S.C. <br />4332(2)(C)) or the Surface Mining Control sad Reclamation Act of 1977 (30 <br />U.S.C. 1201, et seq.). <br />1. Statutory Authority and Regulations. <br />Section 39 of MLA provides the basic authority for suspension of operations <br />and production for all coal and solid minerals subject to MI.A; i.e., coal, <br />sodium, potassium, phosphate, sulphur, and gilsonite (including all vein-type, <br />solid hydrocarbons). <br />l <br />Attachment 1-5 <br />z <br />