§ 22-5-807 - Leases and permits -- Notice to, and recommendations from, interested agencies. - Arkansas Statutes

22-5-807. Leases and permits -- Notice to, and recommendations from, interested agencies.

(a) When an application for a lease or permit is filed with the Commissioner of State Lands for the taking or production of any sand, gravel, oil, natural gas, casinghead gas, coal, or other minerals or the severance of any timber or logs from state-owned lands, the Commissioner of State Lands shall so notify the Arkansas Geological Survey, the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission, the Oil and Gas Commission, the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission, the Department of Parks and Tourism, the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality, the Arkansas Forestry Commission, and any other appropriate state agency that has or may have a particular interest in the area proposed to be covered by the lease or permit.

(b) Any interested agency shall have an opportunity to investigate the proposed production or taking of sand, gravel, or minerals or the severance of timber or logs under the lease or permit and to report its findings and recommendations to the Commissioner of State Lands, including any recommendations for conditions or limitations to be imposed on the lessee or permittee with respect to the production of sand, gravel, minerals, or the severance of timber or logs under the lease or permit, within the time specified in the notice.

(c) The Commissioner of State Lands may deny an application or may grant a permit or lease subject to such conditions and requirements as he or she deems appropriate to properly protect the interests of the State of Arkansas.

(d) No permit or lease shall be granted on interests held in the name of or managed by a state agency or institution without the written consent of the agency or institution.

(e) The issuance of a permit or lease shall not be unreasonably delayed or denied without justifiable cause.