To open certain withdrawn land in Big Horn County, Wyoming, to locatable mineral development for bentonite mining.

January 22, 2003

Mr. ENZI introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

To open certain withdrawn land in Big Horn County, Wyoming, to locatable mineral development for bentonite mining.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. OPENING OF CERTAIN WITHDRAWN LAND IN WYOMING TO LOCATABLE MINERAL DEVELOPMENT FOR BENTONITE MINING.

(a) IN GENERAL- Notwithstanding any other provision of law and subject to subsection (c), the land described in subsection (b) shall be open to locatable mineral development for bentonite mining.

(b) COVERED LAND- The land referred to in subsection (a) is approximately 40 acres of previously withdrawn land located in Big Horn County, Wyoming, at the sixth principal meridian, T. 56 N., R. 95 W., Sec. 32. E 1/2 E 1/2 SE 1/4 , adjacent to Pit No. 144L covered by State of Wyoming Mining Permit No. 321C.

(c) CLOSURE- The Secretary of the Army may close the land opened by subsection (a) at any time if the Secretary determines that the closure of the land is required by reason of a national emergency or for the purpose of national defense or security.

END