§85 Patents for lands, with reservation of coal; disposal of coal deposits

Summary

If a person proves they followed the land laws and sections 83–85, they must receive an official title to the land. That title will keep the United States as the owner of all coal under the land and will give the U.S. the right to look for, mine, and take that coal. The U.S. can sell or give away those coal deposits later under whatever coal-land rules apply at that time. Anyone allowed by U.S. law to buy coal or mining rights may enter the land to prospect for coal after the Secretary of the Interior approves a bond to pay any damage to crops or buildings. A person who has bought the coal or mining rights from the U.S. may return and use as much of the surface as needed to mine the coal, but must pay for damage to the landowner or post a court bond and let a court fix the damages. The landowner may still take coal for household use on the land until the U.S. disposes of the coal. People may also apply to challenge a coal classification to try to get a full title without the coal reservation.