Title 16 — ConservationRelease 119-73not60

§482n Coconino National Forest; Mining Rights; Protection of Scenic Values

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

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

Starting May 24, 1949, people who made mining claims under U.S. mining law on the listed parcels in Coconino National Forest, Coconino County, Arizona (township 19N R6E: secs. 14,15,19,20,22,27,28,29,34; township 18N R6E: secs. 4,5,8,9,16,17,20,21,22,27,28,33,34; township 17N R6E: secs. 1,2,3,4, SE¼ of 8, 9,10,11,12; Gila and Salt River base and meridian) may use and occupy as much of the surface as is reasonably needed to prospect, mine, and process ore. They may remove minerals and the timber needed for those mining and ore‑processing activities, and they do not need a permit or have to pay for that use. Cutting trees that is not needed for mining or for space for mining buildings must follow the same timber rules used on nearby national forest land. Any surface use or taking of resources beyond what is needed for mining must follow national‑forest rules and permits. A claim holder must not block other lawful uses of the surface or its resources under forest rules and permits if those uses do not conflict with the mining.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §482n

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

On and after May 24, 1949, mining locations made under the mining laws of the United States within the following-described lands within the Coconino National Forest, Coconino County, Arizona: section 14, 15, 19, 20, 22, 27, 28, 29, 34, of township 19 north, range 6 east; and section 4, 5, 8, 9, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 33, and 34 of township 18 north, range 6 east; and section 1, 2, 3, 4, southeast quarter of section 8, section 9, 10, 11, and 12, of township 17 north, range 6 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. § 482n

Title 16 — Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60