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If the Assistant Secretary authorizes a lease sale, the sale would be <br />advertised and interested companies would be able to submit bids. Once <br />the sale has been held, qualified bidders would be evaluated and ranked <br />by a sale panel, which would then make recommendations of acceptance to <br />BLt4. An acceptability determination would be made by BLM, and the <br />successful bidder would be notified and requested to submit data and <br />information necessary fora review by the Attorney General before a <br />lease is issued. The BLM must concur with any underground mining permit <br />submitted to OSM by a successful bidder (lessee). _ <br />U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) <br />In consultation with BLM, the USGS reviews emergency coal lease applica- <br />tions submitted under the criteria for emergency leasing defined by the <br />July 19, 1979, regulations. The USGS then performs a fair market and <br />coal resource evaluation to determine the royalty rate and the minimum <br />acceptable bonus bid per acre. The USGS also recommends the amount of <br />the recommended bonds and evaluates the economic feasibility of mining <br />the coal by appropriate mining methods to achieve maximum economic <br />recovery. <br />In order to obtain public comment on such issues as fair market value, <br />maximum economic recovery, etc., the USGS participates in the pre-lease <br />hearing arranged by BLM. - <br />• The USGS must concur with any underground mining permit submitted to OSM <br />by a successful bidder (lessee) and is responsible for development, <br />production, and coal resources recovery requirements included in the <br />mining permit. <br />Department of Energy (DOE) <br />The DOE must review and approve any lease terms and conditions which <br />have been determined as necessary during the preparation of an EA before <br />they can become a part of the lease. The DOE has a period of 30 days in <br />which to review the terms and submit its findings in writing to the <br />Department of the Interior. Without DOE approval, a term or condition <br />cannot be made part of the lease. <br />Attorney General's Office <br />The Attorney General's Office reviews information submitted by a success- <br />ful bidder for its antitrust implications. The Attorney General's <br />Office must approve a lease before it can be issued by BLt4. <br /> <br />~I <br />6 <br />