Title 16 — ConservationRelease 119-73not60

§482o Kaibab National Forest; Mining Rights; Protection of Scenic Values

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

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

Starting July 12, 1951, people who made mining claims in certain sections of the Kaibab National Forest (in parts of townships 22, 28, 29, and 30, some public-domain sections in townships 23–28 range 2 east, and lands along Arizona State Highway 64 with a strip 1,000 feet wide on each side) may use the surface of those lands as much as is reasonably needed to look for, mine, and process ore. They may take the mineral deposits and the timber needed for those mining operations, and they do not have to get a special permit or pay a fee for that use. Cutting or removing timber beyond clearing for mining must follow the timber rules that apply to the nearby national forest or the Interior Department’s rules for public lands. Claim holders cannot use more surface or resources than necessary, and they must not stop other lawful uses of the surface that do not conflict with mining.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §482o

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

On and after July 12, 1951 mining locations made under the mining laws of the United States within the following-described lands within the Kaibab National Forest, Coconino County, Arizona: section 2, 11, 12, 13, 14, 23, and 26, township 22 north, range 2 east; section 1, 12, and 13, township 28 north, range 2 east; section 1, 12, 13, 24, 25, and 36, township 29 north, range 2 east; section 13, 24, 25, and 36, township 30 north, range 2 east; section 18, township 30 north, range 3 east; section 12 and 13, township 30 north, range 5 east; section 7, 18, 19, 29, 30, 32, and 33, township 30 north, range 6 east; section 3 and 4, township 29 north, range 6 east, Gila and Salt River Base and meridian; and also those mining locations made under the mining laws of the United States on public domain lands within those particular sections of townships 23 north, 24 north, 25 north, 26 north, 27 north, and 28 north, all in range 2 east, Gila and Salt River Base and meridian, through which there extends Arizona State Highway numbered 64 and a strip of land one thousand feet wide on each side of the center line of the right-of-way thereof; 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, or rules and regulations issued by the Secretary of the Interior under sections 482o to 482q of this title with respect to public domain lands under his jurisdiction, 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 or rules and regulations of the Secretary of the Interior, as the case may be, nor shall the locator prevent or obstruct other occupancy of the surface or use of surface resources under authority of such 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. § 482o

Title 16 — Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60