§482a Mining Rights in Prescott National Forest

Summary

On and after January 19, 1933, miners who locate claims under U.S. mining laws inside the city of Prescott’s municipal watershed in the Prescott National Forest (an area of three thousand six hundred acres, more or less) may use as much of the land surface as is reasonably needed for prospecting and mining. They may take mineral deposits and the timber needed for mining without a permit or fee. Cutting timber for other reasons must follow the national-forest timber rules, and claim holders must not block other lawful surface uses under forest rules if those uses do not interfere with mining. Beginning on that same date, official patents (titles) issued for lands there will give the patentee the minerals and the right to remove mature timber needed to get those minerals, but only if the timber is cut under the national-forest rules for sound forest management. Each patent keeps the United States’ ownership of the land surface. Valid mining claims that existed on January 19, 1933, and were kept up under the original law and Arizona law, may be finalized either under this rule or under the original laws, at the claimant’s choice.