(a) The authorized officer may require the applicant to collect ground and surface water data that are available to the licensee in the conduct of the approved exploration plan.

(b) The licensee shall furnish the authorized officer copies of all data (including, but not limited to, geological, geophysical and core drilling analyses) obtained during exploration in a form requested by the authorized officer. All data shall be considered confidential and not made public until the areas involved have been leased or until the authorized officer determines that public access to the data would not damage the competitive position of the licensee, whichever comes first. (43 CFR 2.20 and 3481.3)