# 43 CFR § 3809.11: When do I have to submit a plan of operations?

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-43-3809.11

## Section

- **Citation:** 43 CFR § 3809.11
- **Heading:** When do I have to submit a plan of operations?
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 43—Public Lands: Interior > Subtitle B—Regulations Relating to Public Lands > CHAPTER II—BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR > SUBCHAPTER C—MINERALS MANAGEMENT (3000) > PART 3800—MINING CLAIMS UNDER THE GENERAL MINING LAWS > Subpart 3809—Surface Management > General Information

## Text

(a) You must submit a plan of operations and obtain BLM's approval before beginning operations greater than casual use, except as described in § 3809.21. Also see §§ 3809.31 and 3809.400 through 3809.434.
(b) You must submit a plan of operations for any bulk sampling in which you will remove 1,000 tons or more of presumed ore for testing.
(c) You must submit a plan of operations for any operations causing surface disturbance greater than casual use in the following special status areas where § 3809.21 does not apply:
(1) Lands in the California Desert Conservation Area (CDCA) designated by the CDCA plan as “controlled” or “limited” use areas;
(2) Areas in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System, and areas designated for potential addition to the system;
(3) Designated Areas of Critical Environmental Concern;
(4) Areas designated as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System and administered by BLM;
(5) Areas designated as “closed” to off-road vehicle use, as defined in § 8340.0-5 of this title;
(6) Any lands or waters known to contain Federally proposed or listed threatened or endangered species or their proposed or designated critical habitat, unless BLM allows for other action under a formal land-use plan or threatened or endangered species recovery plan; and
(7) National Monuments and National Conservation Areas administered by BLM.

## Nearby sections

- [43 CFR § 3809.1 § 3809.1 What are the purposes of this subpart?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-43-3809.1.md)
- [43 CFR § 3809.2 § 3809.2 What is the scope of this subpart?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-43-3809.2.md)
- [43 CFR § 3809.3 § 3809.3 What rules must I follow if State law conflicts with this subpart?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-43-3809.3.md)
- [43 CFR § 3809.5 § 3809.5 How does BLM define certain terms used in this subpart?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-43-3809.5.md)
- [43 CFR § 3809.10 § 3809.10 How does BLM classify operations?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-43-3809.10.md)
- [43 CFR § 3809.11 § 3809.11 When do I have to submit a plan of operations?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-43-3809.11.md)
- [43 CFR § 3809.21 § 3809.21 When do I have to submit a notice?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-43-3809.21.md)
- [43 CFR § 3809.31 § 3809.31 Are there any special situations that affect what submittals I must make before I conduct operations?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-43-3809.31.md)
- [43 CFR § 3809.100 § 3809.100 What special provisions apply to operations on segregated or withdrawn lands?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-43-3809.100.md)
- [43 CFR § 3809.101 § 3809.101 What special provisions apply to minerals that may be common variety minerals, such as sand, gravel, and building stone?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-43-3809.101.md)
- [43 CFR § 3809.111 § 3809.111 Will BLM disclose to the public the information I submit under this subpart?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-43-3809.111.md)
- [43 CFR § 3809.115 § 3809.115 Can BLM collect information under this subpart?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-43-3809.115.md)
- [43 CFR § 3809.116 § 3809.116 As a mining claimant or operator, what are my responsibilities under this subpart for my project area?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-43-3809.116.md)
- [43 CFR § 3809.200 § 3809.200 What kinds of agreements may BLM and a State make under this subpart?](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-43-3809.200.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-43-3809.11. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.