Mineral Resources: Interior Has Improved Its Administration of Coal Exchanges
RCED-87-53
Published: Feb 17, 1987. Publicly Released: Mar 19, 1987.
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Highlights
In response to a congressional request, GAO evaluated the Department of the Interior's procedures for administering the trade or exchange of federal coal lands, interest, or leases for privately owned property to determine whether they ensure the: (1) exchange of coal of equal value only; (2) protection of environmental values; (3) protection of the public interest; and (4) prevention of potentially competitive coal land exchanges.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of the Interior | The Secretary of the Interior should develop formal criteria for determining whether a lease exchange is in the public interest. |
Closed – Implemented
BLM issued manuals on November 3, 1987, for determining if a lease exchange is in public interest.
|
| Department of the Interior | The Secretary of the Interior should develop an agencywide policy and procedures for lease and fee exchanges that require all BLM state offices to determine whether other companies have expressed an interest in leasing the federal land proposed for exchange and, if so, to consider alternative lands for exchange. |
Closed – Implemented
BLM will, as GAO advocates, use the expressions of leasing interest that are received during regional activity planning as a means of determining competitive interest in a tract proposed for exchange.
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Topics
Coal leasesCoal miningEnvironmental legislationEnvironmental monitoringFair market valueLand transfersLeasing policiesPublic landsCoalPublic interest