This Act, referred to in subsecs. (b)(2) and (c)(1)(B), is Pub. L. 98–603, Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 3155, known as the San Juan Basin Wilderness Protection Act of 1984. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976, as amended, referred to in subsec. (c)(1)(B), is Pub. L. 94–579, Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2743, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1701 of this title and Tables.

November 12, 1996, referred to in subsec. (e)(1), was in the original “the date of enactment of this Act”, which was translated as meaning the date of enactment of Pub. L. 104–333, which amended this section generally, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Section was enacted as part of the San Juan Basin Wilderness Protection Act of 1984, and not as part of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 which comprises this chapter.

2000—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 106–176, § 124(1), substituted “Committee on Resources” for “Committee on Natural Resources”.

Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 106–176, § 124(2), which directed amendment of par. (1) by substituting “this subsection” for “this Act”, was executed by making the substitution following “consistent with”, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Pub. L. 106–176, § 124(1), substituted ‘Committee on Resources” for “Committee on Natural Resources”.

1996—Pub. L. 104–333 amended section generally. Prior to amendment, section read as follows:

“(a) In recognition of its paramount aesthetic, natural, scientific, educational, and paleontological values, the approximately two thousand seven hundred and twenty acre area in the Albuquerque District of the Bureau of Land Management, New Mexico, known as the ‘Fossil Forest’, as generally depicted on a map entitled ‘Fossil Forest’, dated June 1983, is hereby withdrawn, subject to valid existing rights, from all forms of appropriation under the mining laws and from disposition under all laws pertaining to mineral leasing and geothermal leasing and all amendments thereto. The Secretary of the Interior shall administer the area in accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act and shall take such measures as are necessary to ensure that no activities are permitted within the area which would significantly disturb the land surface or impair the area’s existing natural, educational, and scientific research values, including paleontological study, excavation, and interpretation.

“(b) Within one year of October 30, 1984, the Secretary of the Interior shall promulgate rules and regulations for the administration of the Fossil Forest area referred to in subsection (a) of this section in accordance with the provisions of this Act and shall file a copy of such rules and regulations with the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the United States House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United States Senate.

“(c) The Bureau of Land Management is hereby directed to conduct a long-range study of the Fossil Forest to determine how best to manage the area’s resource values identified in subsection (a) of this section. Within eight years of October 30, 1984, the Secretary shall forward the study results and management plan for the area to Congress. During the study period and until Congress determines otherwise, the Fossil Forest area shall be managed under the provisions of this Act.”

Committee on Resources of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Natural Resources of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Jan. 5, 2007.