HJRES 140
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.
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Bill overview
This joint resolution aims to overturn a Bureau of Land Management rule regarding Public Land Order No. 7917. This order had previously withdrawn federal land in Minnesota’s Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties from mineral and geothermal leasing to protect the Rainy River Watershed and surrounding wilderness areas. The resolution seeks to remove these protections, allowing for the potential leasing of those lands for mineral and geothermal development.
Key provisions
- Congress disapproves the Bureau of Land Management rule.
- The rule’s provisions regarding Public Land Order No. 7917 are nullified.
- Federal land in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, Minnesota, is no longer subject to the withdrawal.
- Mineral and geothermal leasing is permitted on the affected lands.
- The resolution utilizes the Congressional Review Act to challenge the rule.
Who is affected
- Bureau of Land Management
- Landowners in Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, Minnesota
- Miners and geothermal energy developers
- Environmental groups concerned with the Rainy River Watershed and Boundary Waters Area
- The Federal Government
Notable changes
- Reverses a 20-year withdrawal of federal land for mineral and geothermal leasing.
- Undoes protections established for the Rainy River Watershed and Boundary Waters Area.
- Allows for potential resource extraction activities on the withdrawn lands.
Sponsors
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Primary sponsor
Cosponsors
Nicholas J. [R-AK-At Large] Begich
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119th CONGRESS — 2d Session
H. J. RES. 140
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
JOINT RESOLUTION
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.
That Congress disapproves the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management of the Department of the Interior relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN (88 Fed. Reg. 6308 (January 31, 2023)), and such rule shall have no force or effect.