1. (a) Purpose Each preliminary permit issued under this subchapter shall be for the sole purpose of maintaining priority of application for a license under the terms of this chapter for such period or periods, not exceeding a total of three years, as in the discretion of the Commission may be necessary for making examinations and surveys, for preparing maps, plans, specifications, and estimates, and for making financial arrangements.
2. (b) Extension of period The Commission may extend the period of a preliminary permit once for not more than 2 additional years beyond the 3 years permitted by subsection (a) if the Commission finds that the permittee has carried out activities under such permit in good faith and with reasonable diligence.
3. (c) Permit conditions Each such permit shall set forth the conditions under which priority shall be maintained.
4. (d) Non-transferability and cancellation of permits Such permits shall not be transferable, and may be canceled by order of the Commission upon failure of permittees to comply with the conditions thereof or for other good cause shown after notice and opportunity for hearing.

(June 10, 1920, ch. 285, pt. I, § 5, 41 Stat. 1067; renumbered pt. I and amended, Aug. 26, 1935, ch. 687, title II, §§ 203, 212, 49 Stat. 841, 847; Pub. L. 113–23, § 5, Aug. 9, 2013, 127 Stat. 495.)

Amendments 2013—Pub. L. 113–23 designated existing first, second, and third sentences as subsecs. (a), (c), and (d), respectively, and added subsec. (b).

1935—Act Aug. 26, 1935, § 203, amended section generally, striking out “and a license issued” at end of second sentence and inserting “or for other good cause shown after notice and opportunity for hearing” in last sentence.