Title 16 — ConservationRelease 119-73

§482n Coconino National Forest; mining rights; protection of scenic values

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

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Starting May 24, 1949, people who located mining claims under U.S. mining laws in certain parts of Coconino National Forest may use as much of the land surface as is reasonably needed to look for minerals, mine them, and process ore. They may take mineral deposits and the timber needed for mining and ore processing without having to get a permit or pay a fee. The lands covered are: Sections 14, 15, 19, 20, 22, 27, 28, 29, 34 of township 19 north, range 6 east; Sections 4, 5, 8, 9, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 33, 34 of township 18 north, range 6 east; and Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, SE¼ of 8, and 9–12 of township 17 north, range 6 east, Gila and Salt River base and meridian. Cutting or removing timber that is not needed for mining must follow the same timber rules that apply on nearby national-forest land. Any use of the surface or its resources that is not reasonably needed for mining must follow national-forest rules and permits. A claim holder may not block others from using the surface or its resources under those national-forest rules if that use does not conflict with mineral development.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §482n

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

On and after May 24, 1949, mining locations made under the mining laws of the United States within the following-described lands within the Coconino National Forest, Coconino County, Arizona: section 14, 15, 19, 20, 22, 27, 28, 29, 34, of township 19 north, range 6 east; and section 4, 5, 8, 9, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 33, and 34 of township 18 north, range 6 east; and section 1, 2, 3, 4, southeast quarter of section 8, section 9, 10, 11, and 12, of township 17 north, range 6 east; Gila and Salt River base and meridian, shall confer on the locator the right to occupy and use so much of the surface of the land covered by the location as may be reasonably necessary to carry on prospecting, mining, and beneficiation of ores including the taking of mineral deposits and timber required by or in the mining and ore reducing operations, and no permit shall be required or charge made for such use or occupancy: Provided, however, That the cutting and removal of timber, except where clearing is necessary in connection with mining operations or to provide space for buildings or structures used in connection with mining operations, shall be conducted in accordance with the rules for timber cutting on adjoining national-forest land, and no use of the surface of the claim or the resources therefrom not reasonably required for carrying on mining and prospecting shall be allowed except under the national-forest rules and regulations, nor shall the locator prevent or obstruct other occupancy of the surface or use of surface resources under authority of national-forest regulations, or permits issued thereunder, if such occupancy or use is not in conflict with mineral development.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 482n

Title 16 — Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73