To access each document, click the link in the Opinion's NUMBER column.
| Date | Number | Subject/Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1993-present | M-Opinion Index |
|
| 5/31/2023 | M-37078 | National Wildlife Refuge Land Exchanges |
| 5/16/2023 | M-37077 | Use of Mining Claims for Mine Waste Deposition, and Rescission of M-37012 and M-37057 |
| 11/16/2022 | M-37076 | The Secretary's Land into Trust Authority for Alaska Natives and Alaska Tribes Under the Indian Reorganization Act and the Alaska Indian Reorganization Act |
| 4/15/2022 | M-37075 | Withdrawal of M-37046 and Reinstatement of M-37039, "The Bureau of Land Management's Authority to Address Impacts of its Land Use Authorizations Through Mitigation" |
| 2/18/2022 | M-37074 | The Scope of a Railroad’s Rights under the General Railroad Right-of-Way Act of March 3, 1875 – Withdrawal of Solicitor’s Opinion M-37048 and Reinstatement of Solicitor’s Opinion M-37025 |
| 2/4/2022 | M-37073 | Opinion Regarding the Status of Mineral Ownership Underlying the Missouri River Within the Boundaries of the Fort Berthold Reservation (North Dakota) |
| 01/25/2022 | M-37072 | Authority to Cancel Improperly Renewed Twin Metals Mineral Leases and Withdrawal of M-37049, “Reversal of M-37036, ‘Twin Metals Minnesota Application to Renew Preference Right Leases (MNES-01352 and MNES-01353)’” |
| 10/12/2021 | M-37071 | Continuation of BSEE Inspection Fee Collection Authority during a Continuing Resolution |
| 4/27/2021 | M-37070 | Withdrawal of Certain Solicitor M-Opinions, Reinstatement of Sol. Op. M-37029 "The Meaning of ‘Under Federal Jurisdiction’ for Purposes of the Indian Reorganization Act," and Announcement Regarding Consultation on “Under Federal Jurisdiction” Determinations (Withdraws: M-37054 and M-37055) |
| 4/27/2021 | M-37069 | Withdrawal of M-37064 and Announcement of Consultation on the Department’s Interpretation of the Indian Reorganization Act and the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act in Connection with the Secretary’s Land into Trust Authority |
| 4/16/2021 | M-37068 | Withdrawal of M-37062, "Secretarial Discretion in Promulgating a National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program" |
| 4/9/2021 | M-37067 | Secretary’s Duties under Subsection 8(p)(4) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act When Authorizing Activities on the Outer Continental Shelf |
| 3/19/2021 | M-37066 | Permanent Withdrawal of M-37056, “Status of Mineral Ownership Underlying the Missouri River within the Boundaries of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation (North Dakota)” |
| 3/8/2021 | M-37065 | Permanent Withdrawal of Solicitor Opinion M-37050 “The Migratory Bird Treaty Act Does Not Prohibit Incidental Take” |
| 1/19/2021 | M-37064 | Permanent Withdrawal of Solicitor Opinion M-37043, “Authority to Acquire Land into Trust in Alaska” |
| 1/15/21 | M-37063 | Withdrawal of Solicitor Opinion M-36936, “Application of Eagle Protection and Migratory Bird Treaty Acts to Reserved Indian Hunting Rights;” Solicitor Opinion M-36926, “Application of the Endangered Species Act to Native Americans with Treaty Hunting and Fishing Rights;” and Solicitor Opinion M-27690, “Migratory Bird Treaty Act” |
| 1/13/21 | M-37062 | Secretarial Discretion in Promulgating a National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program |
| 1/11/2021 | M-37061 | Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement’s Obligations to Consider Applications for Permits to Drill/Modify in a Timely Manner |
| 12/22/2020 | M-37060 | Authority of the Secretary of the Interior to Disapprove Geological and Geophysical Permit Applications Based on National Security or Defense Considerations |
| 12/14/2020 | M-37059 | Secretary's Duty to Prevent Interference with Reasonable Uses of Exclusive Economic Zone, the High Seas, and the Territorial Seas in Accordance with Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act Subsection 8(p), Alternate Energy-related Uses on the Outer Continental Shelf |
| 12/14/2020 | M-37058 | Exercise of the Water Right for Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in the Context of Congressional Authorization for the Bureau of Reclamation's Aspinall Unit |
| 8/17/2020 | M-37057 | Authorization of Reasonably Incident Mining Uses on Lands Open to the Operation of the Mining Law of 1872 |
| 5/26/2020 | M-37056 | Status of Mineral Ownership Underlying the Missouri River within the Boundaries of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation (North Dakota) |
| 3/9/2020 | M-37055 | Withdrawal of Solicitor's Opinion M-37029, "The Meaning of 'Under Federal Jurisdiction' for Purposes of the Indian Reorganization Act" |
| 3/9/2020 | M-37054 | Interpreting the Second Definition of "Indian" In Section 19 of the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 |
| 6/29/2018 | M-37053 | Withdrawal of Solicitor Opinion M-37043, "Authority to Acquire Land into Trust in Alaska" Pending Review |
| 6/8/2018 | M-37052 | Partial Suspension and Temporary Withdrawal of Solicitor Opinion M-37044, “Opinion Regarding the Status of Mineral Ownership Underlying the Missouri River within the Boundaries of the Fort Berthold Reservation (North Dakota)” |
| 2/21/2018 | The Authority of the Secretary to Transfer Areas Within the Uncompahgre Reservation under Section 3 of the Indian Reorganization Act | |
| 12/22/2017 |
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act Does Not Prohibit Incidental Take |
|
| 12/22/2017 | Reversal of M-37036, "Twin Metals Minnesota Application to Renew Preference Right Leases (MNES-01352 and MNES-01353)" | |
| 9/1/2017 | Withdrawal of Solicitor’s Opinion M-37025 issued on November 4, 2011, and Partial Withdrawal of Solicitor’s Opinion M-36964 issued on January 5, 1989 | |
| 7/7/2017 | M-37047 |
Withdrawal of M-37038, "Tribal Treaty and Environmental Statutory Implications of the Dakota Access Pipeline" |
| 6/30/2017 | M-37046 |
Withdrawal of M-37039, "The Bureau of Land Management's Authority to Address Impacts of its Land Use Authorizations Through Mitigation" |
| 1/18/2017 | M-37045 |
Reaffirmation of the United States' Unique Trust Relationship with Indian Tribes and Related Indian Law Principles |
| 1/18/2017 | M-37044 |
Opinion Regarding the Status of Mineral Ownership Underlying the Missouri River within the Boundaries of the Fort Berthold Reservation (North Dakota) |
| 1/13/2017 | M-37043 |
Authority to Acquire Land into Trust in Alaska |
| 1/12/2017 | M-37042 |
Authority of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to Manage Non-Federal Oil and Gas Activities Underlying National Wildlife Refuges |
| 1/10/2017 | M-37041 |
Incidental Take Prohibited Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act |
| 12/22/2016 | M-37040 |
Reconsideration of the Lumbee Act of 1956 |
| 12/21/2016 | M-37039 |
The Bureau of Land Management's Authority to Address Impacts of its Land Use Authorizations through Mitigation |
| 12/4/2016 | M-37038 |
Tribal Treaty and Environmental Statutory Implications of the Dakota Access Pipeline |
| 6/8/2016 | M-37037 | Implementation of the Indian Child Welfare Act by Legislative Rule |
| 3/8/2016 | M-37036 | Twin Metals Minnesota Application to Renew Preference Right Leases (MNES-01352 and MNES-01353) |
| 2/18/2016 | M-37035 | Partial Withdrawal of Solicitor's Opinion M-36974, Inspector General's Report on Land Acquisitions |
| 1/15/2016 | M-37034 | Boundary of the Skokomish Reservation along the Skokomish River |
| 1/15/2016 | M-37033 | Opinion Regarding the Status of the Bed of the Clearwater River within the 1863 Treaty Boundaries of the Nez Perce Reservation (Idaho) |
| 11/20/2015 | M-37032 | Opinion on the Boundaries of the Mille Lacs Reservation |
| 5/1/2015 | M-37031 | Legal Status of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians' Restored Lands Assessed for Drainage Works by the State of Minnesota Under the Authority of the Volstead Act of 1908 |
| 12/23/2014 | M-37030 | Trinity River Division Authorization's 50,000 Acre-Foot Proviso and the 1959 Contract between the Bureau of Reclamation and Humboldt County |
| 3/12/2014 | M-37029 | The Meaning of "Under Federal Jurisdiction" for Purposes of the Indian Reorganization Act |
| 6/21/2013 | M-37028 | Applicability of the New Mexico Bureau of Land Management's Riparian Policy to Lands within the Boundaries of the Santa Clara Pueblo Grant |
| 6/7/2013 | M-37027 | Boundary Dispute: Pueblo of Santa Ana Petition for Correction of the Survey of the South Boundary of the Pueblo of San Felipe Grant |
| 8/10/2012 | M-37026 | Applicability of the Indian Land Consolidation Act's Lien Provisions to the Cobell Settlement |
| 11/04/2011 | M-37025 |
Partial Withdrawal of M-36964 - "Proposed Installation of MCI Fiber Optic Communications Line Within Southern Pacific Transportation Co.'s Railroad Right-of Way" |
| 05/04/2011 | M-37024 | Withdrawal of M-37013 - The Meaning of "In Danger of Extinction Throughout All or a Significant Portion of its Range." |
| 01/18/2009 | M-37023 | Applicability of 25 U.S.C. § 2719 to Restricted Fee Lands |
| 01/16/2009 | M-37022 | Protest and Administrative Appeal of Biological Assessments – Livestock Grazing |
| 01/16/2009 | M-37021 | The Meaning of “Foreseeable Future” in Section 3(20) of the Endangered Species Act |
| 01/16/2009 | M-37020 | The Bureau of Land Management’s Authority To Issue Prospecting Permits for Energy Minerals on Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act Lands |
| 01/15/2009 | M-37019 | Revival of Offshore Oil and Gas Leases |
| 12/12/2008 | M-37018 | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Authority under Section 4(c)(l) of the Endangered Species Act to Revise Lists of Endangered and Threatened Species to " Reflect Recent Determinations " |
| 10/03/2008 | M-37017 | Guidance on the Applicability of the Endangered Species Act's Consultation Requirements to Proposed Actions Involving the Emissions of Greenhouse Gases |
| 10/03/2008 | M-37016 | The Secretary's Authority to Exclude Areas from a Critical Habitat Designation under Section 4(b)(2) of the Endangered Species Act |
| 05/23/2008 | M-37015 | Legal Implications Affecting the Importation of Sport-hunted Polar Bears from Canada Resulting from the Listing of the Polar Bear as a Threatened Species under the Endangered Species Act |
| 12/17/2007 | M-37014 | Funding to States and Indian Tribes Under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act of 1977, as Amended by the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 |
| 02/23/2007 | M-37013 | The Meaning of "In Danger of Extinction Throughout Allor a Significant Portion of its Range" |
| 11/14/2005 | M-37012 | Legal Requirements for Determining Mining Claim Validity before Approving a Mining Plan of Operation |
| 11/14/2005 | M-37011 | Rescission of 2001 Ancillary Use Opinion |
| 10/07/2003 | M-37010 | Mill Site Location and Patenting under the 1872 Mining Law |
| 05/13/2003 | M-37008 | Authority for the Bureau of Land Management to Consider Requests for Retiring Grazing Permits and Leases on Public Lands |
| 10/23/2001 | M-37007 | Surface Management Provisions for Hardrock Mining |
| 01/18/2001 | M-37006 | Great Sand Dunes National Park |
| 01/19/2001 | M-37005 | Whether Public Lands Withdrawn by Executive Orders 6910 and 6964 or Established as Grazing Districts are "Reservations within the Meaning of Section 4(e) of the Federal Power Act” |
| 01/18/2001 | M-37004 | Use of Mining Claims for Purposes Ancillary to Mineral Extraction |
| 01/18/2001 | M-37003 | Binding Nature of Solicitor's M-Opinions on the Office of Hearings and Appeals |
| 01/19/2001 | M-37002 | Eastern Boundary of the Sandia Pueblo Grant |
| 01/11/2001 | M-37001 | Proposed New Mexico Standards and Guidelines for Grazing Administration; Evaluation and Recommendations |
| 12/05/2000 | M-37000 | Boundary Dispute Between Santa Ana Pueblo and San Felipe Pueblo: The Secretary’s Authority to Correct Erroneous Surveys, Revisiting Part IV of Solicitor’s Opinion on ‘Pueblo of Sandia Boundary’ 96 I.D. 331 (1998) |
| 12/27/1999 | M-36999 | Regulation of Hardrock Mining |
| 06/09/1999 | M-36998 | Disposal of Mineral Materials from Unpatented Mining Claims |
| 10/19/1999 | M-36995 | Proposed Gaming on the Hatch Tract in Lane County, Oregon, for the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians |
| 05/22/1998 | M-36994 | Patenting of Mining Claims and Mill Sites in Wilderness Areas |
| 04/16/1998 | M-36993 | Options Regarding Applications for Hardrock Mineral Prospecting Permits on Acquired Lands Near a Unit of the National Park System |
| 11/19/1997 | M-36992 | Section 3406(b)(2) of the Central Valley Project Improvement Act |
| 09/19/1997 | M-36991 | Whether lands taken in trust for Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians should be considered “restored” lands under Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) |
| 11/12/1997 | M-36990 | Entitlement to a Mineral Patent Under the Mining Law of 1872 |
| 11/12/1997 | M-36989 | Managing Areas Eligible for Protection Under the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act |
| 11/07/1997 | M-36988 | Limitations on Patenting Millsites Under the Mining Law of 1872 |
| 12/05/1996 | M-36987 | BLM’s Authority to Recover Costs of Mineral Document Processing |
| 12/05/1996 | M-36986 | Control of Surface Coal Mining Operations Under the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act |
| 08/16/1996 | M-36985 | Whether the Circle of Nations Wahpeton Indian School Campus Constitutes Indian Country |
| 03/22/1996 | M-36984 | Excess Reserves Under the Mining Law |
| 02/12/1996 | M-36983 | What are Significant Revisions in the Five-Year Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program |
| 03/30/1995 | M-36982 | Entitlement to Water Under the Southern Arizona Water Rights Settlement Act (SAWRSA) |
| 11/29/1994 | M-36981 | Implementation of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 by the Minerals Management Service |
| 05/02/1994 | M-36980 | Secretary’s Authority for Creating the National Biological Survey |
| 10/04/1993 | M-36979 | Fishing Rights of the Yorok and Hoopa Valley Tribes |
| 01/11/1993 | Governmental Jurisdiction of Alaska Native Villages Over Land and Nonmembers |