Title 16 — ConservationRelease 119-73not60

§482e Lincoln National Forest; Mining Rights

Title 16 › Chapter 2— NATIONAL FORESTS › Subchapter I— ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION › § 482e

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

Beginning June 13, 1939, people who make mining claims under U.S. mining laws on certain parcels in the Bonito River headwaters inside Lincoln National Forest in Lincoln County, New Mexico may use only as much of the land surface as is reasonably needed to prospect and mine. The law applies to specific listed parcels in that watershed totaling approximately 39.376 square miles. Those claim holders may take mineral deposits and any timber needed for their mining work, and they do not need a permit or pay a fee for that use. Cutting or removing timber beyond what is needed for mining or for mine buildings must follow the timber-cutting rules that apply to nearby national-forest land. Claim holders must not block others from using the surface under forest rules or permits, so long as that use does not conflict with mining.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §482e

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

On and after June 13, 1939, mining locations made under the United States mining laws upon lands within the watershed of the headwaters of the Bonito River in the Lincoln National Forest within the State of New Mexico, specifically described as those certain pieces or parcels of land situate, lying, and being in the county of Lincoln, State of New Mexico, described as follows: The east half east half section 12, east half east half section 13, east half northeast quarter section 24, township 10 south, range 10 east, New Mexico principal meridian; southeast quarter section 25, southwest quarter section 26, south half section 27, southeast quarter and south half southwest quarter section 28, southeast quarter section 31, and all of section 32, 33, 34, 35, and 36, township 9 south, range 11 east, New Mexico principal meridian; all of section 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, and 29, north half section 19, north half and southwest quarter section 24, northwest quarter section 26, north half northeast quarter section 32, and north half north half section 33, township 10 south, range 11 east, New Mexico principal meridian; southwest quarter section 25, south half of fractional section 26, all of fractional section 35, and all of section 36, township 9 south, range 12 east, New Mexico principal meridian; all of section 1, all of fractional section 2, all of fractional section 11, all of section 12, all of section 13, all of fractional section 14, north half of fractional section 23, and north half section 24, township 10 south, range 12 east, New Mexico principal meridian; having an area of approximately thirty-nine and three hundred and seventy-six one-thousandths square miles, shall confer on the locator the right to occupy and use only so much of the surface of the land covered by the location as may be reasonably necessary to carry on prospecting and mining, including the taking of mineral deposits and timber required by or in the mining 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. § 482e

Title 16 — Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60