Title 16 — ConservationRelease 119-73

§482k Patents affecting forest lands

Title 16 › Chapter CHAPTER 2— - NATIONAL FORESTS › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER I— - ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION › § 482k

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

On and after June 10, 1949, patents given under U.S. mining laws for these lands give the patentee ownership of the mineral deposits and the right to cut and remove as much mature timber as is needed to get, remove, and process those minerals. The timber must be cut following sound forest management as set by the national-forest rules and regulations. Each patent keeps the United States as owner of the land surface and its products. Using the surface or its resources for anything more than what is reasonably needed for mining or prospecting is not allowed unless the Department of Agriculture’s rules say it is allowed.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §482k

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

On and after June 10, 1949, all patents issued under the United States mining laws affecting lands within the above-described area shall convey title to the mineral deposits within the claim, together with the right to cut and remove so much of the mature timber therefrom as may be needed in extracting and removing and beneficiation of the mineral deposits, if the timber is cut under sound principles of forest management as defined by the national-forest rules and regulations, but each patent shall reserve to the United States all title in or to the surface of the lands and products thereof, and no use of the surface of the claim or the resources therefrom not reasonably required for carrying on mining or prospecting shall be allowed except under the rules and regulations of the Department of Agriculture.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 482k

Title 16 — Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73