Review of uranium development on Federal land

(a) Definition of Federal land In this section, the term Federal land means land administered by the Secretary or the Secretary of Agriculture. (b) Review (1) In general Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall enter into an arrangement under which the National Academy of Sciences shall conduct a study of uranium development on Federal land. (2) Matters to be addressed The study shall describe and analyze— (A) the laws applicable to the development of uranium on Federal land and the agencies responsible for administering and enforcing those laws; (B) the requirements relating to the development of uranium under sections 2318 through 2352 of the Revised Statutes (commonly known and referred to in this section as the Mining Law of 1872) (30 U.S.C. 21 et seq.); (C) the requirements relating to the development of uranium under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.); (D) the uranium leasing program administered by the Department of Energy under that Act; (E) the requirements relating to the approval of uranium in-situ leasing recovery and the licensing process required by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission; (F) the efficacy of bonds or other forms of financial surety in ensuring the reclamation of Federal land and associated waters impacted by the development of uranium; and (G) the efficacy of Federal law in protecting public health and safety and the environment from impacts due to the development of uranium on Federal land. (c) Recommendations The study shall— (1) analyze the effectiveness of current Federal requirements applicable to the exploration, development, and production of uranium on Federal land in allowing for the production of uranium while ensuring protection of public health and safety and the environment; and (2) make recommendations as to changes, if any, to Federal law (including regulations) and agency procedures relating to the development of uranium resources on Federal land to allow for the production of uranium while ensuring protection of public health and safety and the environment, including specific recommendations on whether— (A) future development of uranium on Federal land should be— (i) removed from operation of the Mining Law of 1872; and (ii) subject to leasing; (B) additional requirements (including additional financial assurances or fees) should be applicable to ensure reclamation of uranium mine sites, including abandoned uranium mine sites; and (C) whether additional land should be withdrawn from location and entry of uranium mining claims by the Secretary. (d) Completion of study The National Academy of Sciences shall— (1) not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, submit the findings and recommendations of the study to the Secretary and the Secretary of Agriculture; and (2) on completion of the study, make the results of the study available to the public. (e) Report Not later than 180 days after receiving the results of the study, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Natural Resources of the House of Representatives a report on— (1) the findings and recommendations of the study; (2) the agreement or disagreement of the Secretaries with each of the findings and recommendations of the study; and (3) (A) a plan and timeframe for implementing those recommendations of the study that do not require legislation; or (B) if the Secretary declines to implement a recommendation, the justification for declining to implement the recommendation.