Title 16, ConservationRelease 119-102

§482h–1 Protection of Scenic Values of Forest

Title 16 › CHAPTER 2 — NATIONAL FORESTS › SUBCHAPTER I — ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION › § 482h–1

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

People who made mining claims on or after June 11, 1946, in certain sections of the Coronado National Forest in Pima County, Arizona (townships 11 South and 12 South, ranges 15 East and 16 East, Gila and Salt River meridian) may use and occupy as much of the land surface as is reasonably needed to prospect, mine, and process ore. They may also take the minerals and the timber needed for mining and ore-reducing work. No permit or fee is required for that use. Cutting and removing timber must follow the same rules used on nearby national-forest land, except when clearing is necessary for mining or for buildings used in mining. Any use of the surface or its resources that is not reasonably needed for mining must follow national-forest rules and permits. The miner must not block other lawful forest uses or permits if those uses do not conflict with mining.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §482h–1

Conservation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

On and after June 11, 1946, mining locations made under mining laws of the United States within the following-described lands within the Coronado National Forest, Pima County, Arizona: section 25, 26, 35, and 36, and the east half of section 34, township 11 south, range 15 east; section 30, 31, 32, and 33, and the west half of section 29, township 11 south, range 16 east; section 1, 2, and 3, township 12 south, range 15 east; section 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, and 16, the west half of section 11, the west half of section 14, and the northwest quarter of section 23, township 12 south, range 16 east; Gila and Salt River base and meridian, shall confer on the locator the right to occupy and use so much of the surface of the land covered by the location as may be reasonably necessary to carry on prospecting, mining, and beneficiation of ores including the taking of mineral deposits and timber required by or in the mining and ore reducing 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. § 482h–1

Title 16, Conservation

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102