National policy affecting the availability and use of federal lands has significant implications for whether coal and mineral resources are developed on federal lands. Although both the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Forest Service have a multiple use mandate, access to federal lands for mining activities can be difficult. Given the mineral potential of federal lands, access for mining activities is critical to maintain a strong domestic mining industry.

The multiple use mandates of the Forest Service (Multiple Use Sustained Yield Act of 1960) and BLM (Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976) direct both agencies to utilize public lands to provide the best cumulative benefit for the American people. Courts have held that the Forest Service does not have the discretion to ignore its multiple use mandate to focus solely on environmental and recreational resources, and the BLM's mandate specifically requires they recognize the Nation's need for domestic sources of minerals.