House approves Thompson bill reaffirming private mineral rights

The House of Representatives approved legislation on Tuesday that U.S. Rep. Glenn “G.T.” Thompson (R-PA) introduced to reaffirm the rights of mineral owners in the Allegheny National Forest (ANF).

The Cooperative Management of Mineral Rights Act, H.R. 3881, would codify a number of federal court rulings regarding the regulation of privately held mineral rights in the ANF.

“I am thankful to the overwhelming bipartisan support for this bill, which reaffirms the importance of private property rights and nearly a century of cooperation between private mineral owners and the federal government,” Thompson, a member of the House Natural Resources Committee, said.

Federal courts have determined since 2009 that the U.S. Forest Service does not have the legal authority to restrict access to private mineral rights in the ANF and is prohibited from drafting new rules.

“It was not easy to get to this point,” Thompson said. “We have worked this bill through the committee process and made a compelling argument to both Democrats and Republicans in Congress on the importance of this legislation. Despite repeated attempts by extreme environmental groups to shut down energy production in the Allegheny National Forest, the Cooperative Management of Mineral Rights Act will once and for all, provide assurances to the future of jobs and the communities that rely upon our abundant natural resources.”

U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop (R-UT), the chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, said that passage of Thompson’s bill clarifies the Forest Service’s limited statutory authority and reaffirms the “legal supremacy” of privately held mineral rights.

“This commonsense legislation will protect families and small businesses around the Allegheny National Forest who rely on these resources in their everyday lives,” Bishop said.

The ANF covers more than 500,000 acres in northwestern Pennsylvania.