Bureau of Land Management 2010 Reclamation and Sustainable Mineral Development Awards Program Extension of Filing Deadlines; Due Dates: 03/19/2010; 04/29/2010

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIORBUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENTWASHINGTON, D.C.  20240February 23, 2010In Reply Refer To:3500/3600/3800 (320) PEMS TRANSMISSION 03/12/2010Instruction Memorandum No. 2010-023, Change 1Expires:  09/30/2011To:        All Field OfficialsFrom:         Assistant Director, Minerals and Realty ManagementSubject:    Bureau of Land Management 2010 Reclamation and Sustainable Mineral Development Awards Program – Extension of Filing Deadlines                                                                                   Due Dates:  03/19/2010; 04/29/2010Program Areas:  Locatable Minerals (3800), Mineral Materials (3600), and Solid Leasable Minerals (3500).Purpose:  This change to Instruction Memorandum (IM) 2010-023 extends the deadline for submission of nominations for the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) 2010 Reclamation and Sustainable Mineral Development Awards program.  In addition, this change extends the deadline for state offices to forward nominations to the Washington Office.   Policy/Action:  The new deadline for submitting nominations for the 2010 awards program to BLM state offices is extended to March 19, 2010.  The new deadline for state offices to submit nominations and Statements of Findings to WO-320 is April 29, 2010.The 2010 awards program is open to all solid mineral (non-coal) industries or operations nationally, without regard to land ownership.  State offices will receive and initially process nominations, verify the information that is submitted with a nomination, and determine if the nominee is in compliance with all applicable regulations.  As stated in IM 2010-023, the compliance verification process for a mining operation should include a site visit by BLM personnel.  After preparing a Statement of Findings for each nomination, state offices are to forward all nominations and an accompanying Statement of Findings to the Washington Office, Division of Solid Minerals (WO-320), by April 29, 2010.  The documents should be sent by Federal Express to:U.S. Department of the InteriorBureau of Land Management (WO-320)Mail Stop 501 LS, 1620 L Street, N.W.Attention:  Mary Linda PonticelliWashington, DC  20036Timeframe:  The new timeframes/deadlines are effective immediately.Budget Impact:  None.Background:  IM 2010-023 (dated December 3, 2009) contains detailed descriptions of the five award categories as well as requirements for submitting nominations for the 2010 awards program. Manual/Handbook Sections Affected:  No manual or handbook sections are affected.  Coordination:  Coordination activities for this award program are ongoing.  Contact:  If you have any questions concerning the content of this IM, please contact Mitchell Leverette, Chief, Division of Solid Minerals, at 202-912-7113 or Mitchell_Leverette@blm.gov, or your staff may contact Mary Linda Ponticelli, Division of Solid Minerals, at 202-912-7115 or Mary_Ponticelli@blm.gov. Signed by:                        Authenticated by:Michael Nedd                        Robert M. WilliamsAssistant Director                    Division of IRM Governance,WO-560Minerals and Realty Management