§912 Disposition of abandoned or forfeited railroad grants

Summary

When public land given to a railroad stops being used for tracks or railroad buildings because the railroad forfeited it or abandoned it — and that abandonment is declared by a court or by an Act of Congress — the United States’ ownership of those lands passes to whoever holds or would hold a U.S. grant covering the whole legal subdivision(s) crossed or used by the railroad. Parts that become a public highway within one year after the court decree, forfeiture, or abandonment stay public. Land inside a city goes to that city. The rule does not change railroad sales that were or are later approved by Congress after March 8, 1922 and before the forfeiture or abandonment, or highways that existed on March 8, 1922. Any transfer keeps U.S. rights to oil, gas, and other minerals, and the United States keeps the right to explore and take those minerals.