§678a Mining locations in Norbeck Wildlife Preserve; rules and regulations

Summary

Mining claims may be made on U.S. land inside the Norbeck Wildlife Preserve in Harney National Forest, South Dakota, under the regular federal mining laws. The person who stakes a claim (the locator) may use as much of the surface as is reasonably needed for prospecting and mining, and may take minerals and any timber needed for the mining. No permit or fee is required for that use, but all mining must follow rules the Secretary of Agriculture sets to protect the preserve. Tree cutting is allowed only when needed for mining or to make space for mining buildings, and must follow Harney National Forest marking and timber-sale rules. No surface uses beyond what mining reasonably needs are allowed except under normal national-forest rules, and locators cannot block other lawful forest uses that do not conflict with mining. The Secretary may forbid new claims within 660 feet of any federal, state, or county road or in other areas not in the public interest. The United States will not issue patents (full ownership grants) for claims made under this authority.