This legislation, titled the Superior National Forest Restoration Act of 2025, aims to reverse restrictions on mineral development in Minnesota. It specifically rescinds Public Land Order 7917 , an order issued in January 2023 that had withdrawn federal lands within the Superior National Forest from mineral leasing and prospecting. This action effectively reopens these lands for potential mining activities. The bill further directs the Secretary to reissue mineral leases, preference right leases, and prospecting permits that were canceled between January 2021 and the bill's enactment, generally on their original terms. Reissued mineral and preference right leases will be modified to include a 20-year initial term, with a right to renew for five subsequent 10-year terms, allowing for rental and royalty adjustments at renewal. Additionally, the bill mandates the granting of new preference right leases for applications rejected after January 2021 that had a preliminary valuable deposit determination. It also establishes strict deadlines for environmental and regulatory reviews of Mine Plans of Operations within the Superior National Forest, requiring initial reviews within 18 months and supplemental reviews and permit issuance within six months, while stipulating that reissued leases and permits are not subject to judicial review.
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Superior National Forest Restoration Act of 2025
USA119th CongressHR-978| House
| Updated: 2/5/2025
This legislation, titled the Superior National Forest Restoration Act of 2025, aims to reverse restrictions on mineral development in Minnesota. It specifically rescinds Public Land Order 7917 , an order issued in January 2023 that had withdrawn federal lands within the Superior National Forest from mineral leasing and prospecting. This action effectively reopens these lands for potential mining activities. The bill further directs the Secretary to reissue mineral leases, preference right leases, and prospecting permits that were canceled between January 2021 and the bill's enactment, generally on their original terms. Reissued mineral and preference right leases will be modified to include a 20-year initial term, with a right to renew for five subsequent 10-year terms, allowing for rental and royalty adjustments at renewal. Additionally, the bill mandates the granting of new preference right leases for applications rejected after January 2021 that had a preliminary valuable deposit determination. It also establishes strict deadlines for environmental and regulatory reviews of Mine Plans of Operations within the Superior National Forest, requiring initial reviews within 18 months and supplemental reviews and permit issuance within six months, while stipulating that reissued leases and permits are not subject to judicial review.