(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the regulations in this part provide for the protection and conservation of nonmineral resources during operations for the discovery, development, surface mining, and onsite processing of minerals under permits or leases issued pursuant to statutes pertaining to Indian lands including but not limited to the following statutes or amendments thereto:

The Act of May 27, 1908 (35 Stat. 312);

The Act of March 3, 1909 (35 Stat. 781, 25 U.S.C. 396);

The Act of May 1, 1936 (49 Stat. 1250);

The Act of June 26, 1936 (49 Stat. 1967);

The Act of May 11, 1939 (52 Stat. 347, 25 U.S.C. 396a-f, and 5 U.S.C. 301).

(b) The regulations in this part do not cover the exploration for oil and gas or the issuance of leases, or operations thereunder, nor minerals underlying lands, the surface of which is not owned by the owner of the minerals.

(c) The regulations in this part shall apply only to permits or leases issued subsequent to the date on which these regulations become effective and which are subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior or his designated representative.