These regulations govern the conduct of the mineral resource assessment activities authorized under §1010 of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), 16 U.S.C. 3101, et seq., in units of the National Park System in Alaska. The regulations are designed to ensure that authorized Federal agencies and their contractors carry out mineral resource assessment activities in an environmentally sound manner that does not result in lasting environmental impacts that appreciably alter the natural character of the units, or biological or ecological systems in the units; is compatible with the purposes for which the units are established; and ensures that all units are left unimpaired and preserved for the enjoyment of present and future generations.