H. R. 3603 109th CONGRESS 2d Session

SEC. 203. ACQUISITION OF MINERAL INTERESTS AND LANDS FROM WILLING SELLERS.

(a) Acquisition- Within the boundaries of the wilderness areas designated by section 201, the Secretary concerned may acquire, through purchase from willing sellers or donation from willing owners, all right, title, and interest in all mineral interests, claims, and parcels of land that have been patented under the Act of May 10, 1872 (30 U.S.C. 22 et seq.; commonly known as the Mining Act of 1872).

(b) Consideration- In exercising the authority provided by subsection (a) to acquire lands and interests, the Secretary concerned shall offer the owners of record of each patent, who voluntarily wish to sell, $20,000 as compensation for the acquisition of these interests. The Secretary concerned shall make such offers as soon as practicable after the date of the enactment of this Act and such offers shall remain open for acceptance during the five-year period beginning on such date.

(c) Incorporation in Wilderness Area- Any land or interest in land located inside the boundaries of a wilderness area designated by section 201 that is acquired by the United States after the date of the enactment of this Act shall be added to and administered as part of that wilderness area.

SUBSTITUTE TO H.R. 222

SEC. 203. ACQUISITION OF MINERAL INTERESTS AND LANDS FROM WILLING SELLERS.

(a) ACQUISITION.—Within the boundaries of the wilderness areas designated by section 201, the Secretary concerned may acquire, through purchase from willing sellers or donation from willing owners, all right, title, and interest in all mineral interests, claims, and parcels of land that have been patented on or before January 1, 2002 under the Act of May 10, 1872 (30 U.S.C. 22 et seq.; commonly known as the Mining Act of 1872).

(b) CONSIDERATION.—In exercising the authority provided by subsection (a) to acquire lands and interests, the Secretary concerned may offer the owners of record of each patent, who voluntarily wish to sell up to $20,000 as compensation for the acquisition of these interests.

(c) INCORPORATION IN WILDERNESS AREA.—Any land or interest in land located inside the boundaries of a wilderness area designated by section 201 that is acquired by the United States after the date of the enactment of this Act shall be added to and administered as part of that wilderness area.