16 U.S.C. § 3149 — Oil and gas lease applications

(a) Lands within National Wildlife Refuge System but not part of National Wilderness Preservation System despite any other provision of law or regulation, whenever the Secretary receives an application for an oil and gas lease under 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 must, in addition to any other requirements of applicable law, follow the procedures set forth in this section.

(b) Statement of reasons for decision to issue or not to issue lease Any decision to issue or not to issue a lease must 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.

(c) Environmental impact statement If the Secretary determines that the requirements of section 4332(2)(C) of title 42 do not apply to his decision, the Secretary must render his decision within six months after receipt of a lease application. If such requirements are applicable to the Secretary’s decision, he must render his decision within three months after publication of the final environmental impact statement.