text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be referred to as the ``Sweetgrass Hills Protection 
  Act of 1995''.
  
  SEC. 2. SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREA.
  
      (a) In General.--For the purpose of conserving, protecting, and 
  enhancing the exceptional scenic, wildlife, water quality, and cultural 
  characteristics of lands along the Sweetgrass Hills in north central 
  Montana, there is hereby established the Sweetgrass Hills Natural Area 
  within the Bureau of Land Management's Sweetgrass Hills Area of 
  Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) as identified in the West HiLine 
  Resource Management Plan in the State of Montana (hereinafter in this 
  Act referred to as the ``natural area'').
      (b) Area Included.--The natural area shall consist of the lands, 
  waters, and interests therein within the area generally depicted on the 
  map entitled ``Boundary Map, . . .'', numbered ________, and Dated 
  __________. The map shall be on file and available for public 
  inspection in the office of the Bureau of Land Management, Department 
  of the Interior. The Secretary of the Interior (hereinafter in this Act 
  referred to as the ``Secretary'') may from time to time make minor 
  revisions in the boundary of the natural area to promote management 
  effectiveness and efficiency in the furtherance of this Act.
  
  SEC. 3. ADMINISTRATION.
  
      (a) In General.--The Secretary shall administer the natural area in 
  accordance with this Act and with the provisions of law generally 
  applicable to units of the Bureau of Land Management. In the 
  administration of such natural area, the Secretary may utilize such 
  statutory authority as may be available to him for the conservation of 
  wildlife, natural and cultural resources, and water quality as he deems 
  necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
      (b) Hunting and Fishing.--The Secretary shall permit hunting and 
  fishing on lands and waters within the natural area in accordance with 
  applicable Federal and State law.
  
  SEC. 4. ACQUISITION OF LANDS.
  
      The Secretary is directed to acquire lands or interests in lands 
  within the boundaries of the natural area that are necessary to carry 
  out the purposes of this Act by donation, purchase with donation or 
  appropriated funds, or exchange. Lands within the boundaries of the 
  natural area owned by the State of Montana or any political subdivision 
  thereof may only be acquired by donation or exchange.
  
  SEC. 5. MINERALS AND MINING.
  
      (a) Withdrawals.--After the enactment of this Act:
              (1) Lands within the natural area shall not be open to 
          location of mining claims under the mining laws of the United 
          States.
              (2) The Secretary shall not issue any lease under the 
          mineral leasing or geothermal leasing laws of the United States 
          for lands within the natural area.
              (3) Lands within the natural area shall not be available 
          for disposal of mineral materials under the Act of July 31, 
          1947, commonly known as the Materials Act of 1947 (30 U.S.C. 
          601 and following).
      (b) Limitation on Patent Issuance.--(1) Notwithstanding any other 
  provision of law, no patents shall be issued after July 19, 1995, for 
  any location or claim made in the natural area under the mining laws of 
  the United States.
      (2) Notwithstanding any statute of limitations or similar 
  restriction otherwise applicable, any party claiming to have been 
  deprived of any property right enactment of paragraph (1) may file in 
  the United States Claims Court a claim against the United States within 
  one year after the date of enactment of this Act seeking compensation 
  for such property right. The United States Claims Court shall have 
  jurisdiction to render judgement on such claim in accordance with 
  section 1491 of title 28, United States Code.
      (c) Prohibition.--No Federal lands may be used in connection with 
  any mining or mining related activities within the Natural Area.
      (d) Reclamation.--No mining or mining related activities involving 
  any surface disturbance of lands or waters within such area, including 
  disturbances through subsistence, shall be permitted except in 
  accordance with requirements imposed by the Secretary, including 
  requirements for reasonable reclamation of disturbed lands to a visual 
  and hydrological condition as close as practicable to their premining 
  condition.
      (e) Mining Claim Validity Review.--The Secretary shall undertake 
  and complete within three years after the enactment of this Act an 
  expedited program to examine all unpatented mining claims, including 
  those for which a patent application has been filed, within the natural 
  area. Upon determination by the Secretary that the elements of contest 
  are present, the Secretary shall immediately determine the validity of 
  such claims. If a claim is determined to be invalid, the Secretary 
  shall declare the claim null and void.
  
  SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION FOR APPROPRIATIONS.
  
      There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
  necessary to carry out the purposes of this Act.
target: Sweetgrass Hills Protection Act of 1995 - Establishes the Sweetgrass Hills Natural Area within the Bureau of Land Management's Sweetgrass Hills Area of Critical Environmental Concern in north central Montana for the purpose of conserving, protecting, and enhancing the exceptional scenic, wildlife, water quality, and cultural characteristics of such Area. 
  Requires the Secretary of the Interior to administer the area in accordance with this Act and with the provisions of law generally applicable to units of the Bureau of Land Management. 
  Authorizes appropriations.
feat_title: Sweetgrass Hills Protection Act of 1995