Title 30, Mineral Lands and MiningRelease 119-102
§301 Authorization for Lease of Oil and Gas Deposits; by and to Whom Leased
Title 30 › CHAPTER 5 — LEASE OF OIL AND GAS DEPOSITS IN OR UNDER RAILROADS AND OTHER RIGHTS-OF-WAY › § 301
Summary
The Secretary of the Interior may lease oil and gas found under lands held as railroad or other rights-of-way when it serves the public interest. Except as later allowed, leases can only go to the person or organization that got the right-of-way, or to their lawful successor, assignee, or transferee.
Full Legal Text
Title 30, §301
Mineral Lands and Mining, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whenever the Secretary of the Interior shall deem it to be consistent with the public interest he is authorized to lease deposits of oil and gas in or under lands embraced in railroad or other rights of way acquired under any law of the United States, whether the same be a base fee or mere easement: Provided, That, except as hereinafter authorized, no lease shall be executed hereunder except to the municipality, corporation, firm, association, or individual by whom such right of way was acquired, or to the lawful successor, assignee, or transferee of such municipality, corporation, firm, association, or individual.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
30 U.S.C. § 301
Title 30, Mineral Lands and Mining
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102