INTERAGENCY REVIEW OF NONFUEL MINERALS- RELATED POLICY ISSUES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80M00165A002200120012-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 15, 2016
• Document Release Date: February 2, 2004
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: December 12, 1977
• Content Type: MF

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THE WHITE HOUSE
itsve peg.~t,~,,
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December 12, 1977
THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR
THE SECRETARY OF STATE
THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY
THE SECRETARY OF COMMERCE
a
THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY
THE ADMINISTRATOR, ENVIRON'ENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
THE ADMINISTRATOR OF GENERAL SERVICES
THE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
THE ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT FOR NATIONAL
SECURITY AFFAIRS
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISERS
THE SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE FOR TRADE NEGOTIATIONS
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
POLICY
FROM STU EIZENS~i'AT ~~
SUBJECT: Interagency Review of Nonfuel Minerals-
Related Policy Issues
The President has directed that a Nonfuel Minerals Polic~;~
:~~~ordin~aing C~mn:ittce, under the Chairz~a-ship of the
Secretary of the Interior and consisting of the addre~ser.~.
develop far Presidential consideration a set of policy
options to address issues and problems related to nonf_ue:!_
minerals. This memorandum will serve to inform you of t1tc
commencement of the interagency efforts to accomplish th.__>
policy review under the procedures established in the
Domestic Policy Review System.
PURPOSE OF STUDY
Members of Congress, the gublic, and several rec?~nt Comm.w-
sions have enumerated many of the reasons why such a stud
is needed. World consumption of nonfuel minerals has be~~z
rising and will probably continue to do so. United Statc_~~:
economic health requires that the supply of such mineral:>
remain adequate and that prices remain relatively stable.
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.
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Yet, in recent years the ability of domestic and inter-
national minerals markets to meet these requirements has
became uncertain. Serious concern~~ have been expressed
regarding:
? Whether the trends toward international interdepend-
ence and the politicization of: certain minerals
markets are increasing U. S. vulnerability to
foreign supply curtailments and price manipulations;
e Whether U. S. reserves, production capacities, and
inventories are adequate to deal with possible
supply/price interruptions, or- with the economic
and social consequences of such disruptions;
o Whether the economic health of the domestic minerals
industry is adequate, as reflected in energy casts
and supplies, investment, transportation, manpower,
and other factors related to the structure and vitality
of the industry.
? Whether land use decisions are based on adequate
minerals information and analysis;
? Whether current tax laws favor the use of raw miner-
als over recycled minerals or encourage substitution
and other conservation practices;
? Whether current government regulations adequately
protect the environment, health, and safety while
not unduly affecting the su~:ply us:d price of
minerals;
? Whether minerals policies adversely affect U. S.
trade posture and balance of payments;
? Whether existing government policy analysis, data
analysis, and data collection functions are adequate
to support federal decision-makers responsible for
formulating, implementing, anal monitoring nonfuel
minerals policies.
The development and implementation of effective, operational
policies to address these and other related concerns
require careful and systematic consideration of three
distinct perspectives: first, ths.t particular minerals or
groups of related minerals have unique characteristics
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which must be examined on a commodity-by-commodity bass;
second, that certain policy issues related to minerals
are generic in nature and cut across specific minerals or
groups of minerals; and third, that issues relatir~q to
minerals availability are international in scope. Every
effort should be made in the study to take account of
these three perspectives.
There are two basic objectives of the interagency stud~~:
(l) to prepare far Presidential consideration a set of
policy options, analyses, and recommendations on spec iv=ic
issues and problems related to nonfuel minerals; and
(2) to develop, test, implement, and provide for the
continuing use of a policy analysis framework. which
federal policymakers can use to update and expand the
analysis in this study as needed in the future.
STRUCTURE OF STUDY
In order to accomplish these objectives, the study wil:_
focus on the issues, problems, and conditions related
particularly to those domestic and imparted minerals
considered most critical to the United States economy.
Far the most part, the issues are concerned with (a) the
policy information and analysis required to support
federal decision-makers in developing, implementing, acid
monitoring minerals policy, including laws and regula-
tions applicable to the issue and mineral under consid~tr-
ation; and (b) the supply/demand data and analysis of
specific minerals, including both economic and non-
economic factors,which are required '~a conduct pa7.i.c3r
analysis. Eight interagency working groups will be
organized to examine issues and minerals which incarpoi-ate
these two general concerns. Each working group should
identify and evaluate existing and alternative policy
options, make recommendations, and suggest actions to 1>e
continued by particular government agencies.
The agencies listed in parenthesis should take leaders~iip
responsibility for the following subjects:
? A Policy Analysis Framework to Support
Nonfuel Minerals Decision-making (Interior)
? The Adequacy of Government Minerals Data
Collection and Data Analysis Capabilities
to Support Policy Analysis (Interior)
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s The Adequacy of Government Capabilities
for Evaluating the Mineral Potential of
Federal Land Prior to Land Use Decisions
(Interior)
? Domestic and Foreign Policy Issues
Related to International Interdependence
(State}
Government Tax, Investment, and Develop-
ment Finance Policy (Treasury)
s Government Policies Affecting Domestic
Minerals Supply (Interior)
? Government Policies Affecting Minerals
Demand (Commerce )
? Government Policies Affecting Minerals-
Related Research and Development (NSF)
Nearly every agency of the federal government has respon-
sibilities related to nonfuel minerals. Several agencies
with lead roles in the study and with cross-cutting
responsibilities have been assigned to the Policy
Coordinating Committee. A number of other agencies are
receiving copies of this memorandum and their participa-
tion in the study will be invited as the need arises. A
mechanism will also be developed for close and continuing
consultations with interested Members of Congress and the
public.
SCHEDULE
Within six weeks, a project management plan. for this study
should be developed under the leadership of the Secretary
of the Interior and the Director of the Office of Science
and Technology Policy, taking full account of relevant
ongoing government activities. The Policy Coordinating
Committee should submit options and recommendations for
Presidential consideration within 15 months of the date of
initiation.
cc: The Secretary of Defense
Attorney General of the United States
(cont'd. next page)
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cc: The Secretary of Agriculture
The Secretary of Labor
The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
The Secretary of Transportation
Director of C'.entral Intelligence
The Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission
The Chairman of the Interstate Commerce Commission~
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