# 43 C.F.R. § 3461.1 (2026): Underground mining exemption from criteria

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P3460_S3461_1

## Section

- **Citation:** 43 C.F.R. § 3461.1 (2026)
- **Heading:** Underground mining exemption from criteria
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 43 CFR: Public Lands: Interior / Chapter II: BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR / Part 3460: ENVIRONMENT / Subpart 3461: Federal Lands Review: Unsuitability for Mining / § 3461.1: § 3461.1   Underground mining exemption from criteria.

## Text

(a) Federal lands with coal deposits that would be mined by underground mining methods shall not be assessed as unsuitable where there would be no surface coal mining operations, as defined in § 3400.0-5 of this title, on any lease, if issued.
(b) Where underground mining will include surface operations and surface impacts on Federal lands to which a criterion applies, the lands shall be assessed as unsuitable unless the surface management agency finds that a relevant exception or exemption applies.
[44 FR 42638, July 19, 1979, as amended at 47 FR 33149, July 30, 1982. Redesignated at 52 FR 46473, Dec. 8, 1987]

## Nearby sections

- [43 C.F.R. § 3461.0-3 (2026) § 3461.0-3   Authority.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P3460_S3461_0_3.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 3461.0-6 (2026) § 3461.0-6   Policy.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P3460_S3461_0_6.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 3461.0-7 (2026) § 3461.0-7   Scope.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P3460_S3461_0_7.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 3461.1 (2026) § 3461.1   Underground mining exemption from criteria.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P3460_S3461_1.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 3461.2-1 (2026) § 3461.2-1   Assessment and land use planning.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P3460_S3461_2_1.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 3461.2-2 (2026) § 3461.2-2   Consultation on unsuitability assessments.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P3460_S3461_2_2.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 3461.3-1 (2026) § 3461.3-1   Application of criteria on unleased lands.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P3460_S3461_3_1.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 3461.3-2 (2026) § 3461.3-2   Application of criteria on leased lands.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P3460_S3461_3_2.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 3461.4 (2026) § 3461.4   Exploration.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P3460_S3461_4.md)
- [43 C.F.R. § 3461.5 (2026) § 3461.5   Criteria for assessing lands unsuitable for all or certain stipulated methods of coal mining.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P3460_S3461_5.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T43_P3460_S3461_1. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.