51 FR 31629, Sept. 4, 1986, unless otherwise noted.
(a) The regulations in this part apply to any application for access in the following forms within any conservation system unit (CSU), national recreation area or national conservation area within the State of Alaska which is administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) or National Park Service (NPS):
(1) A transportation or utility system (TUS) is any portion of the route of the system within any of the aforementioned areas and the system is not one which the Department or agency having jurisdiction over the unit or area is establishing incident to its management of the unit or area;
(2) Access to inholdings within these areas, as well as within public lands administered by the BLM designated as wilderness study areas;
(3) Special access within these areas, as well as within public lands administered by the BLM designated as wilderness study areas;
(4) Temporary access within the aforementioned areas, as well as the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska and public lands administered by the BLM designated as wilderness study areas or managed to maintain the wilderness character or potential thereof.
(b) Except as specifically provided in this part, applicable law shall apply with respect to the authorization and administration of TUSs.
As used in this part, the term:
(a) ANILCA means the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (94 Stat. 2371; Pub. L. 96-487).
(b) Applicable law means a law or regulation of general applicability, other than title XI of ANILCA, under which a Federal department or agency has jurisdiction to grant an authorization (including but not limited to, a right-of-way permit, license, lease or certificate) without which a TUS cannot, in whole or in part, be established or operated.
(c) Applicant means an individual, partnership, corporation, association or other business entity, and a Federal, State or local government entity including a municipal corporation submitting an application under this part.
(d) Appropriate Federal agency means a Federal agency (or the agency official to whom the authority has been delegated) that has jurisdiction to grant any authorization without which a TUS cannot, in whole or in part, be established or operated.
(e) Area means a CSU, National Recreation Area, or National Conservation Area in Alaska administered by the NPS, the FWS or the BLM.
(f) Compatible with the purposes for which the unit was established means that the system will not significantly interfere with or detract from the purposes for which the area was established.
(g) Conservation System Unit (CSU) means any unit in Alaska of the National Park System, National Wildlife Refuge System, National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, National Trails System or the National Wilderness Preservation System administered by the NPS, the FWS or the BLM.
(h) Economically feasible and prudent alternative route means a route either within or outside an area that is based on sound engineering practices and is economically practicable, but does not necessarily mean the least costly alternative route.
(i) Improved right-of-ways means routes which are of a permanent nature and would involve substantial alteration of the terrain or vegetation such as grading and graveling of surfaces or other such construction. Trail right-of-ways which are annually or periodically marked, brushed, or broken for off-road vehicles are excluded.
(j) Incident to its management of the unit or area means a type of TUS which is used directly or indirectly in support of authorized activities, and which is built by or for the Federal agency which has jurisdiction over the area.
(k) Other system of general transportation means private and commercial transportation of passengers and/or shipment of goods or materials.
(l) Public values means those values relating to the purposes for which the area was established as defined by the enabling legislation for the area.
(m) Related structures and facilities means those structures, facilities and right-of-ways which are reasonably and minimally necessary for the construction, operation and maintenance of a TUS, and which are listed as part of the TUS on the consolidated application form, Standard Form 299, “Application for Transportation and Utility Systems and Facilities on Federal Lands” (SF 299).
(n) Right-of-way permit means a right-of-way permit, lease, license, certificate or other authorization for all or part of a TUS in an area.
(o) Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior.
(p) Transportation or utility system (TUS) means any of the systems listed in paragraphs (p) (1) through (7) of this section, if a portion of the route of the system will be within an area and the system is not one that the Department or agency having jurisdiction over the area is establishing incident to its management of the area. The systems shall include related structures and facilities.
(1) Canals, ditches, flumes, laterals, pipes, pipelines, tunnels and other systems for the transportation of water.
(2) Pipelines and other systems for the transportation of liquids other than water, including oil, natural gas, synthetic liquid and gaseous fuels and any refined product produced therefrom.
(3) Pipelines, slurry and emulsion systems and conveyor belts for the transportation of solid materials.
(4) Systems for the transmission and distribution of electric energy.
(5) Systems for transmission or reception of radio, television, telephone, telegraph and other electronic signals and other means of communication.
(6) Improved rights-of-way for snowmachines, air cushion vehicles and other all-terrain vehicles.
(7) Roads, highways, railroads, tunnels, tramways, airports, landing strips, docks and other systems of general transportation.
[51 FR 31629, Sept. 4, 1986, as amended at 62 FR 52510, Oct. 8, 1997]
(a) Anyone interested in obtaining approval of a TUS is encouraged to establish early contact with each appropriate Federal agency so that filing procedures and details may be discussed, resource concerns and potential constraints may be identified, the proposal may be considered in agency planning, preapplication activities may be discussed and processing of an application may be tentatively scheduled.
(b) Reasonable preapplication activities in areas shall be permitted following a determination by the appropriate Federal agency that the activities are necessary to obtain information for filing the SF 299, that the activities would not cause significant or permanent damage to the values for which the area was established or unreasonably interfere with other authorized uses or activities and that it would not significantly restrict subsistence uses. In areas administered by the NPS or the FWS, a permit shall be obtained from the appropriate agency prior to engaging in any preapplication activities. Prior to approval and issuance of such a permit, the appropriate Federal agencies must find that the proposed preapplication activity is compatible with the purposes for which the area was established.
(a) A SF 299, which may be obtained from an appropriate Federal agency, shall be completed by the applicant according to the instructions on the form. The form shall be filed on the same day (except in compliance with paragraph (c) of this section) with each appropriate Federal agency from which an authorization, such as a permit, license, lease or certificate is required for the TUS. Filing with any appropriate Interior agency in Alaska shall be considered to be a filing with all of its agencies. Any filing fee required by the appropriate Federal agency pursuant to applicable law must be paid at the time of filing.
(b) Prior to filing the SF 299, the applicant shall determine whether additional information to that requested on the form is required by the appropriate Federal agencies. If so, the applicant shall file the additional information as an attachment to the SF 299.
(c) When, because of separate filing points, an applicant is not able to file with each appropriate Federal agency on the same day, the applicant shall file all applications as soon as possible. All applications must be filed within a 15 calendar day period. For purposes of the time requirements provided for in this part, the application shall not be considered to have been filed until the last appropriate Federal agency receives the application. The lead agency, determined pursuant to § 36.5(a), shall determine the date of filing or that the application was not filed within the 15 day period and inform all appropriate Federal agencies.
(d) The information collection requirements contained in these regulations have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. and assigned clearance numbers 1024-0026 and 1004-0060. The information collected by the appropriate Federal agency will be used to determine whether or not to issue a permit to obtain a benefit. A response is required to obtain or retain a benefit.
(a) When there is more than one appropriate Federal agency, the Federal agency having management jurisdiction over the longest lineal portion of the right-of-way requested in the TUS application shall be the lead agency for the purpose of coordinating appropriate Federal agency actions in the review and processing of the SF 299, as well as for the purpose of compliance with the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.
(1) By agreement among the appropriate Federal agencies, a different Federal agency may be designated the lead agency for any or all parts of the review, processing or NEPA compliance.
(2) Upon identification of the lead agency, other involved agencies will provide assistance as requested by the lead agency.
(b) Upon receipt of an application, the lead agency will review it and determine the filing date pursuant to § 36.4. If it is determined that the applicant has not met the 15 calendar day filing deadline, pursuant to § 36.4(c) of this part, the lead agency shall notify each appropriate Federal agency to return the application to the applicant without further action.
(c) Within 60 days of the date of filing, each appropriate Federal agency shall inform the applicant and the lead agency, in writing, whether the application on its face:
(1) Contains the required information; or
(2) Is insufficient, together with a specific listing of the additional information the applicant must submit.
(d) When the application is insufficient, the applicant must furnish the specific information requested within 30 days of receipt of notification of deficiency:
(1) If the applicant needs more time to obtain information, additional time may be granted by the appropriate Federal agency upon request of the applicant, provided the applicant agrees that the application filing date will change to the date of filing of the specific additional information.
(2) Unless extended pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (d)(1) of this section, failure of the applicant to respond within the 30 day period will result in return of the application without further action.
(3) The lead agency shall keep all appropriate Federal agencies informed of actions occurring under paragraphs (d) (1) and (2) of this section, in order that such agencies may note their application records accordingly.
(e) Within 30 days of the receipt of additional information requested by the appropriate Federal agency, the applicant shall be notified in writing whether the supplemental information is sufficient.
(1) If the applicant fails to provide all the requested information, the application shall be rejected and returned to the applicant along with a list of the specific deficiencies.
(2) When the applicant furnishes the additional information, the application will be reinstated, and it will be considered filed as of the date the final supplemental information is actually received by the appropriate Federal agency.
(3) The lead agency shall notify appropriate Federal agencies of any final rejection under paragraph (e)(1) of this section.
(a) The provisions of NEPA and the Council for Environmental Quality regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-1508) will be applied to determine whether an Environmental Assessment (EA) or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is required, or that a categorical exclusion applies.
(1) The lead agency, with cooperation of all appropriate Federal agencies, shall complete an EA or a draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) within nine months of the date the SF 299 was filed.
(2) If the lead agency determines, for good cause, that the nine-month period is insufficient, it may extend such period for a reasonable specific time. Notification of the extension, together with the reasons therefore, shall be provided to the applicant and published in the Federal Register at least 30 days prior to the end of the nine-month period.
(3) If the lead agency determines that an EIS is not required, a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) will be prepared.
(4) If an EIS is determined to be necessary, the lead agency shall hold a public hearing on the joint DEIS in Washington, DC, and at least one location in Alaska.
(5) The appropriate Federal agencies shall solicit and consider the views of other Federal departments and agencies, the Alaska Land Use Council, the State, affected units of local government in the State and affected corporations formed pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. After public notice, the agencies shall receive and consider statements and recommendations regarding the application submitted by interested individuals and organizations.
(6) The lead agency shall ensure compliance with section 810 of ANILCA.
(b) When an EIS is determined to be necessary, within three months of completing the DEIS or within one year of the filing of the application, whichever is later, the lead agency shall complete the EIS and publish a notice of its availability in the Federal Register.
(c) Cost reimbursement.
(1) The costs to the United States of application processing, other than costs for EIS preparation and review as provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, shall be reimbursed by the applicant, if such reimbursement is required pursuant to the applicable law and procedures of the appropriate Federal agency incurring the costs.
(2) The reasonable administrative and other costs of EIS preparation shall be reimbursed by the applicant, according to the BLM's cost recovery procedures and regulations implementing section 304 of FLPMA, 43 U.S.C. 1734.
There are two separate decision processes. The first is used when the appropriate Federal agencies have an applicable law to issue a right-of-way permit and the area involved is outside the National Wilderness Preservation System. The second is used when an area involved in the application is within the National Wilderness Preservation System or an appropriate Federal agency has no applicable law with respect to issuing a right-of-way permit across all or any area covered by a TUS application.
(a) When the appropriate Federal agencies have an applicable law and the area involved is outside the National Wilderness Preservation System:
(1) Within four months of the date of the notice of availability of a FONSI or final EIS, each appropriate Federal agency shall make a decision based on applicable law to approve or disapprove the TUS and so notify the applicant in writing.
(2) Each appropriate Federal agency in making its decision shall consider and make detailed findings supported by substantial evidence as to the portion of the TUS, within that agency's jurisdiction, with respect to:
(i) The need for and economic feasibility of the TUS;
(ii) Alternative routes and modes of access, including a determination with respect to whether there is any economically feasible and prudent alternative to routing the system through or within an area and, if not, whether there are alternate routes or modes which would result in fewer or less severe adverse impacts upon the area;
(iii) The feasibility and impacts of including different TUSs in the same area;
(iv) Short and long term social, economic and environmental impacts of national, State or local significance, including impacts on fish and wildlife and their habitat and on rural, traditional lifestyles;
(v) The impacts, if any, on the national security interests of the United States, that may result from approval or denial of the application for the TUS;
(vi) Any impacts that would affect the purposes for which the Federal unit or area concerned was established;
(vii) Measures which should be instituted to avoid or minimize negative impacts;
(viii) The short and long term public values which may be adversely affected by approval of the TUS versus the short and long term public benefits which may accrue from such approval; and
(ix) Impacts, if any, on subsistence uses.
(3) To the extent the appropriate Federal agencies agree, the decisions may be developed jointly, singularly or in some combination thereof.
(4) If an appropriate Federal agency disapproves any portion of the TUS, the application in its entirety is disapproved and the applicant may file an administrative appeal pursuant to section 1106(a) of ANILCA.
(b) When an area involved is within the National Wilderness Preservation System or an appropriate Federal agency has no applicable law with respect to granting all or any part of a TUS application:
(1) Within four months of the date of publication of the notice of the availability of the final EIS or FONSI, each appropriate Federal agency shall determine whether to tentatively approve or disapprove each right-of-way permit within its jurisdiction that applies with respect to the TUS and the Secretary of the Interior shall make notification pursuant to section 1106(b) of ANILCA.
(i) The Federal agency having jurisdiction over a portion of a TUS for which there is no applicable law shall recommend approval of that portion of the TUS if it is determined that:
(A) Such system would be compatible with the purposes for which the area was established; and
(B) There is no economically feasible and prudent alternate route for the system.
(ii) If there is applicable law for a portion of the TUS which is outside the National Wilderness Preservation System, the applicable law shall be applied in making the determination to approve or disapprove that portion of the TUS.
(2) The notification shall be accompanied by a statement of the reasons and findings supporting each appropriate Federal agency's position. The findings shall include, but not be limited to, the findings required in paragraph (a)(2) of this section. The notification shall also be accompanied by the final EIS, the EA or statement that a categorical exclusion applies and any comments of the public and other Federal agencies.
(a) If any appropriate Federal agency disapproves a TUS application pursuant to § 36.7(a), the applicant may appeal the denial pursuant to section 1106(a) of ANILCA.
(b) There is no administrative appeal for a denial issued under the provisions of § 36.7(b).
(a) Once an application is approved under the provisions of § 36.7(a), a right-of-way permit will be issued by the appropriate Federal agency or agencies, according to that agency's authorizing statutes and regulations or, if approved pursuant to the provisions of § 36.7(b), according to the provisions of title V of the Federal Land Policy Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1701) or other applicable law. The permit shall not be issued until all fees and other charges have been paid in accordance with applicable law.
(b) All TUS right-of-way permits shall include, but not be limited to, the following terms and conditions:
(1) Requirements to ensure that to the maximum extent feasible, the right-of-way is used in a manner compatible with the purposes for which the affected area was established or is managed;
(2) Requirements for restoration, revegetation and curtailment of erosion of the surface of the land;
(3) Requirements to ensure that activities in connection with the right-of-way will not violate applicable air and water quality standards and related facility siting standards established pursuant to law;
(4) Requirements, including the minimum necessary width, designed to control or prevent:
(i) Damage to the environment (including damage to fish and wildlife habitat);
(ii) Damage to public or private property; and
(iii) Hazards to public health and safety.
(5) Requirements to protect the interests of individuals living in the general area of the right-of-way permit who rely on the fish, wildlife and biotic resources of the area for subsistence purposes; and
(6) Requirements to employ measures to avoid or minimize adverse environmental, social or economic impacts.
(c) Any TUS approved pursuant to this part which occupies, uses or traverses any area within the boundaries of a unit of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System shall be subject to such conditions as may be necessary to assure that the stream flow of, and transportation on, such river are not interfered with or impeded and that the TUS is located and constructed in an environmentally sound manner.
(d) In the case of a pipeline described in section 28(a) of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, a right-of-way permit issued pursuant to this part shall be issued in the same manner as a right-of-way is granted under section 28, and the provisions of subsections (c) through (j), (1) through (q), and (u) through (y) of section 28 shall apply to right-of-way permits issued pursuant to this part.
(a) This section sets forth the procedures to provide adequate and feasible access to inholdings within areas in accordance with section 1110(b) of ANILCA. As used in this section, the term:
(1) Adequate and feasible access means a route and method of access that is shown to be reasonably necessary and economically practicable but not necessarily the least costly alternative for achieving the use and development by the applicant on the applicant's nonfederal land or occupancy interest.
(2) Area also includes public lands administered by the BLM designated as wilderness study areas.
(3) Effectively surrounded by means that physical barriers prevent adequate and feasible access to State or private lands or valid interests in lands except across an area(s). Physical barriers include but are not limited to rugged mountain terrain, extensive marsh areas, shallow water depths and the presence of ice for large periods of the year.
(4) Inholding means State-owned or privately owned land, including subsurface rights of such owners underlying public lands or a valid mining claim or other valid occupancy that is within or is effectively surrounded by one or more areas.
(b) It is the purpose of this section to ensure adequate and feasible access across areas for any person who has a valid inholding. A right-of-way permit for access to an inholding pursuant to this section is required only when this part does not provide for adequate and feasible access without a right-of-way permit.
(c) Applications for a right-of-way permit for access to an inholding shall be filed with the appropriate Federal agency on a SF 299. Mining claimants who have acquired their rights under the General Mining Law of 1872 may file their request for access as a part of their plan of operations. The appropriate Federal agency may require the mining claimant applicant to file a SF 299, if in its discretion, it determines that more complete information is needed. Applicants should ensure that the following information is provided:
(1) Documentation of the property interest held by the applicant including, for claimants under the General Mining Law of 1872, as amended (30 U.S.C. 21-54), a copy of the location notice and recordations required by 43 U.S.C. 1744;
(2) A detailed description of the use of the inholding for which the applied for right-of-way permit is to serve; and
(3) If applicable, rationale demonstrating that the inholding is effectively surrounded by an area(s).
(d) The application shall be filed in the same manner as under § 36.4 and shall be reviewed and processed in accordance with §§ 36.5 and 36.6.
(e)
(1) For any applicant who meets the criteria of paragraph (b) of this section, the appropriate Federal agency shall specify in a right-of-way permit the route(s) and method(s) of access across the area(s) desired by the applicant, unless it is determined that:
(i) The route or method of access would cause significant adverse impacts on natural or other values of the area and adequate and feasible access otherwise exists; or
(ii) The route or method of access would jeopardize public health and safety and adequate and feasible access otherwise exists; or
(iii) The route or method is inconsistent with the management plan(s) for the area or purposes for which the area was established and adequate and feasible access otherwise exists; or
(iv) The method is unnecessary to accomplish the applicant's land use objective.
(2) If the appropriate Federal agency makes one of the findings described in paragraph (e)(1) of this section, another alternate route(s) and/or method(s) of access that will provide the applicant adequate and feasible access shall be specified by that Federal agency in the right-of-way permit after consultation with the applicant.
(f) All right-of-way permits issued pursuant to this section shall be subject to terms and conditions in the same manner as right-of-way permits issued pursuant to § 36.9.
(g) The decision by the appropriate Federal agency under this section is the final administrative decision.
(a) This section implements the provisions of section 1110(a) of ANILCA regarding use of snowmachines, motorboats, nonmotorized surface transportation, aircraft, as well as off-road vehicle use.
As used in this section, the term:
(1) Area also includes public lands administered by the BLM and designated as wilderness study areas.
(2) Adequate snow cover shall mean snow of sufficient depth, generally 6-12 inches or more, or a combination of snow and frost depth sufficient to protect the underlying vegetation and soil.
(b) Nothing in this section affects the use of snowmobiles, motorboats and nonmotorized means of surface transportation traditionally used by rural residents engaged in subsistence activities, as defined in Tile VIII of ANILCA.
(c) The use of snowmachines (during periods of adequate snow cover and frozen river conditions) for traditional activities (where such activities are permitted by ANILCA or other law) and for travel to and from villages and homesites and other valid occupancies is permitted within the areas, except where such use is prohibited or otherwise restricted by the appropriate Federal agency in accordance with the procedures of paragraph (h) of this section.
(d) Motorboats may be operated on all area waters, except where such use is prohibited or otherwise restricted by the appropriate Federal agency in accordance with the procedures of paragraph (h) of this section.
(e) The use of nonmotorized surface transportation such as domestic dogs, horses and other pack or saddle animals is permitted in areas except where such use is prohibited or otherwise restricted by the appropriate Federal agency in accordance with the procedures of paragraph (h) of this section.
(f) Aircraft.
(1) Fixed-wing aircraft may be landed and operated on lands and waters within areas, except where such use is prohibited or otherwise restricted by the appropriate Federal agency, including closures or restrictions pursuant to the closures of paragraph (h) of this section. The use of aircraft for access to or from lands and waters within a national park or monument for purposes of taking fish and wildlife for subsistence uses therein is prohibited, except as provided in 36 CFR 13.45. The operation of aircraft resulting in the harassment of wildlife is prohibited.
(2) In imposing any prohibitions or restrictions on fixed-wing aircraft use the appropriate Federal agency shall:
(i) Publish notice of prohibition or restrictions in “Notices to Airmen” issued by the Department of Transportation; and
(ii) Publish permanent prohibitions or restrictions as a regulatory notice in the United States Flight Information Service “Supplement Alaska.”
(3) Except as provided in paragraph (f)(3)(i) of this section, the owners of any aircraft downed after December 2, 1980, shall remove the aircraft and all component parts thereof in accordance with procedures established by the appropriate Federal agency. In establishing a removal procedure, the appropriate Federal agency is authorized to establish a reasonable date by which aircraft removal operations must be complete and determine times and means of access to and from the downed aircraft.
(i) The appropriate Federal agency may waive the requirements of this paragraph upon a determination that the removal of downed aircraft would constitute an unacceptable risk to human life, or the removal of a downed aircraft would result in extensive resource damage, or the removal of a downed aircraft is otherwise impracticable or impossible.
(ii) Salvaging, removing, possessing or attempting to salvage, remove or possess any downed aircraft or component parts thereof is prohibited, except in accordance with a removal procedure established under this paragraph and as may be controlled by the other laws and regulations.
(4) The use of a helicopter in any area other than at designated landing areas pursuant to the terms and conditions of a permit issued by the appropriate Federal agency, or pursuant to a memorandum of understanding between the appropriate Federal agency and another party, or involved in emergency or search and rescue operations is prohibited.
(g) Off-road vehicles.
(1) The use of off-road vehicles (ORV) in locations other than established roads and parking areas is prohibited, except on routes or in areas designated by the appropriate Federal agency in accordance with Executive Order 11644, as amended or pursuant to a valid permit as prescribed in paragraph (g)(2) of this section or in § 36.10 or § 36.12.
(2) The appropriate Federal agency is authorized to issue permits for the use of ORVs on existing ORV trails located in areas (other than in areas designated as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System) upon a finding that such ORV use would be compatible with the purposes and values for which the area was established. The appropriate Federal agency shall include in any permit such stipulations and conditions as are necessary for the protection of those purposes and values.
(h) Closure procedures.
(1) The appropriate Federal agency may close an area on a temporary or permanent basis to use of aircraft, snowmachines, motorboats or nonmotorized surface transportation only upon a finding by the agency that such use would be detrimental to the resource values of the area.
(2) Temporary closures.
(i) Temporary closures shall not be effective prior to notice and hearing in the vicinity of the area(s) directly affected by such closures and other locations as appropriate.
(ii) A temporary closure shall not exceed 12 months.
(3) Permanent closures shall be published by rulemaking in the Federal Register with a minimum public comment period of 60 days and shall not be effective until after a public hearing(s) is held in the affected vicinity and other locations as deemed appropriate by the appropriate Federal agency.
(4) Temporary and permanent closures shall be:
(i) Published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in Alaska and in a local newspaper, if available; posted at community post offices within the vicinity affected; made available for broadcast on local radio stations in a manner reasonably calculated to inform residents in the affected vicinity; and designated on a map which shall be available for public inspection at the office of the appropriate Federal agency and other places convenient to the public; or
(ii) Designated by posting the area with appropriate signs; or
(iii) Both.
(5) In determining whether to open an area that has previously been closed pursuant to the provisions of this section, the appropriate Federal agency shall provide notice in the Federal Register and shall, upon request, hold a hearing in the affected vicinity and other locations as appropriate prior to making a final determination.
(6) Nothing in this section shall limit the authority of the appropriate Federal agency to restrict or limit uses of an area under other statutory authority.
(i) Except as otherwise specifically permitted under the provisions of this section, entry into closed areas or failure to abide by restrictions established under this section is prohibited.
(j) Any person convicted of violating any provision of the regulations contained in this section, or as the same may be amended or supplemented, may be punished by a fine or by imprisonment in accordance with the penalty provisions applicable to the area.
[51 FR 31629, Sept. 4, 1986; 51 FR 36011, Oct. 8, 1986]
(a) For the purposes of this section, the term:
(1) Area also includes public lands administered by the BLM designated as wilderness study areas or managed to maintain the wilderness character or potential thereof, and the National Petroleum Reserve—Alaska.
(2) Temporary access means limited, short-term (i.e., up to one year from issuance of the permit) access which does not require permanent facilities for access to State or private lands.
(b) This section is applicable to State and private landowners who desire temporary access across an area for the purposes of survey, geophysical, exploratory and other temporary uses of such non-federal lands, and where such temporary access is not affirmatively provided for in §§ 36.10 and 36.11. State and private landowners meeting the criteria of § 36.10(b) are directed to use the procedures of § 36.10 to obtain temporary access.
(c) A landowner requiring temporary access across an area for survey, geophysical, exploratory or similar temporary activities shall apply to the appropriate Federal agency for an access permit by providing the relevant information requested in the SF 299.
(d) The appropriate Federal agency shall grant the desired temporary access whenever it is determined, after compliance with the requirements of NEPA, that such access will not result in permanent harm to the area's resources. The area manager shall include in any permit granted such stipulations and conditions on temporary access as are necessary to ensure that the access granted would not be inconsistent with the purposes for which the area was established and to ensure that no permanent harm will result to the area's resources and section 810 of ANILCA is complied with.
(a) Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve.
(1) Access for surface transportation purposes across Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve (from the Ambler Mining District to the Alaska Pipeline Haul Road (Dalton Highway)) shall be permitted in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(2) Upon the filing of an application in accordance with § 36.4 for a right-of-way across the western (Kobuk River) unit of the preserve, including the Kobuk Wild River, the Secretary shall give notice in the Federal Register, and other such notice as may be appropriate, of a 30 day period for other applicants to apply for access. The original application and any additional applications received during the 30 day period will be reviewed in accordance with § 36.5.
(3) The Secretary and the Secretary of Transportation shall jointly prepare an environmental and economic analysis solely for the purpose of determining the most desirable route for the right-of-way and terms and conditions which may be required for the issuance of that right-of-way. This analysis shall be completed within one year and the draft thereof within nine months of the receipt of the application and shall be prepared in lieu of an EIS which would otherwise be required under section 102(2)(C) of NEPA. This analysis shall be deemed to satisfy all requirements of that Act and shall not be subject to judicial review. This analysis shall be prepared in accordance with the procedural requirements of § 36.6.
(4) The Secretaries, in preparing this analysis, shall consider the following:
(i) Alternate routes including the consideration of economically feasible and prudent alternate routes across the preserve which would result in fewer, or less severe, adverse impacts upon the preserve.
(ii) The environmental, social and economic impacts of the right-of-way including impacts upon wildlife, fish, and their habitat, and rural and traditional lifestyles including subsistence activities and measures which should be instituted to avoid or minimize negative impacts and enhance positive impacts.
(5) Within 60 days of the completion of the enviornmental and economic analysis, the Secretaries shall jointly agree upon a route for issuance of the right-of-way across the preserve. Such right-of-way shall be issued in accordance with the provisions of § 36.9.
(b) Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve.
(1) Any application filed by Doyon, Limited, for a right-of-way to provide access in a southerly direction across the Yukon River from its landholdings in the watersheds of the Kandik and Nation Rivers shall be processed in accordance with this part.
(2) No right-of-way shall be granted which would cross the Charley River or which would involve any lands within the watershed of the Charley River.
(3) An application shall be approved by the appropriate Federal agency if it is determined that there exists no economically feasible or otherwise reasonably available alternate route.
(c) Oil and Gas Pipelines—Arctic Slope Regional Corporation.
(1) Upon the filing by Arctic Slope Regional Corporation for an oil and gas TUS across lands identified in section 1431(j) of ANILCA, the appropriate Federal agency shall review the filing, determine the alignment and location of facilities across/on Federal lands, and issue such authorizations as are necessary with respect to the establishment of the TUS.
(2) No environmental document pursuant to NEPA shall be required.
(3) Investigations as to the proper final alignment of the pipeline and location of related facilities are at the discretion of the Federal agency and the costs associated with such investigations are not recoverable under § 36.6.
(d) Forty Mile Component of National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. The classification of segments of the Forty Mile Components as Wild Rivers shall not preclude access across those river segments where the appropriate Federal agency determines such access is necessary to permit commercial development of asbestos deposits in the North Fork drainage.
[51 FR 31629, Sept. 4, 1986; 51 FR 36011, Oct. 8, 1986]