Notwithstanding any other provision of law or regulation, whenever the Secretary receives an application for an oil and gas lease pursuant to the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 [30 U.S.C. 181 et seq.] for lands in Alaska within a unit of the National Wildlife Refuge System which are not also part of the national Wilderness Preservation System he shall, in addition to any other requirements of applicable law, follow the procedures set forth in this section.
Any decision to issue or not to issue a lease shall be accompanied by a statement setting forth the reasons for the decision, including the reasons why oil and gas leasing would be compatible or incompatible with the purposes of the refuge.
If the Secretary determines that the requirements of section 4332(2)(C) of title 42 do not apply to his decision, the Secretary shall render his decision within six months after receipt of a lease application. If such requirements are applicable to the Secretary's decision, he shall render his decision within three months after publication of the final environmental impact statement.
(Pub. L. 96–487, title X, §1009, Dec. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 2456.)
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