CHAPTER 20—RESERVATIONS AND GRANTS TO STATES FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES

        

§851. Deficiencies in grants to State by reason of settlements, etc., on designated sections generally

Where settlements with a view to preemption or homestead have been, or shall hereafter be made, before the survey of the lands in the field, which are found to have been made on sections sixteen or thirty-six, those sections shall be subject to the claims of such settlers; and if such sections or either of them have been or shall be granted, reserved, or pledged for the use of schools or colleges in the State in which they lie, other lands of equal acreage are hereby appropriated and granted, and may be selected, in accordance with the provisions of section 852 of this title, by said State, in lieu of such as may be thus taken by preemption or homestead settlers. And other lands of equal acreage are also hereby appropriated and granted and may be selected, in accordance with the provisions of section 852 of this title, by said State where sections sixteen or thirty-six are, before title could pass to the State, included within any Indian, military, or other reservation, or are, before title could pass to the State, otherwise disposed of by the United States: Provided, That the selection of any lands under this section in lieu of sections granted or reserved to a State shall be a waiver by the State of its right to the granted or reserved sections. And other lands of equal acreage are also appropriated and granted, and may be selected, in accordance with the provisions of section 852 of this title, by said State to compensate deficiencies for school purposes, where sections sixteen or thirty-six are fractional in quantity, or where one or both are wanting by reason of the township being fractional, or from any natural cause whatever. And it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Interior, without awaiting the extension of the public surveys, to ascertain and determine, by protraction or otherwise, the number of townships that will be included within such Indian, military, or other reservations, and thereupon the State shall be entitled to select indemnity lands to the extent of section for section in lieu of sections therein which have been or shall be granted, reserved, or pledged; but such selections may not be made within the boundaries of said reservation: Provided, however, That nothing in this section contained shall prevent any State from awaiting the extinguishment of any such military, Indian, or other reservation and the restoration of the lands therein embraced to the public domain and then taking the sections sixteen and thirty-six in place therein.

(R.S. §2275; Feb. 28, 1891, ch. 384, 26 Stat. 796; Pub. L. 85–771, §1, Aug. 27, 1958, 72 Stat. 928; Pub. L. 89–470, §1, June 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 220.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

R.S. §2275 derived from acts Feb. 26, 1859, ch. 58, 11 Stat. 385; June 22, 1874, ch. 422, 18 Stat. 202.

Amendments

1966—Pub. L. 89–470 struck out "or Territory" after "State" in eight places and substituted "before title could pass to the State" for "prior to survey" in two places.

1958—Pub. L. 85–771 inserted "in accordance with the provisions of section 852 of this title" and "prior to survey", wherever appearing; substituted "That the selection of any lands under this section in lieu of sections granted or reserved to a State or Territory shall be a waiver by the State or Territory of its right to the granted or reserved sections." for "Where any State is entitled to said sections 16 and 36, or where said sections are reserved to any Territory, notwithstanding the same may be mineral land or embraced within a military, Indian, or other reservation, the selection of such lands in lieu thereof by said State or Territory shall be a waiver of its right to said sections."; substituted "section for section in lieu of sections therein which have been or shall be granted, reserved, or pledged" for "two sections for each of said townships, in lieu of sections 16 and 36 therein"; struck out from last extinguishment proviso "but nothing in this proviso shall be construed as conferring any right not in this section existing prior to February 28, 1891", and otherwise amended section generally.

§852. Selections to supply deficiencies of school lands

(a) Restrictions

The lands appropriated by section 851 of this title shall be selected from any unappropriated, surveyed or unsurveyed public lands within the State where such losses or deficiencies occur subject to the following restrictions:

(1) No lands mineral in character may be selected by a State except to the extent that the selection is being made as indemnity for mineral lands lost to the State because of appropriation before title could pass to the State;

(2) No lands on a known geologic structure of a producing oil or gas field may be selected except to the extent that the selection is being made as indemnity for lands on such a structure lost to the State because of appropriation before title could pass to the State; and

(3) Land subject to a mineral lease or permit may be selected if none of the land subject to that lease or permit is in a producing or producible status, subject, however, to the restrictions and conditions of the preceding and following paragraphs of this subsection.

(4) If a selection is consummated as to a portion but not all of the lands subject to any mineral lease or permit, then, as to such portion and for so long only as such lease or permit or any lease issued pursuant to such permit shall remain in effect, there shall be automatically reserved to the United States the mineral or minerals for which the lease or permit was issued, together with such further rights as may be necessary for the full and complete enjoyment of all rights, privileges and benefits under or with respect to the lease or permit: Provided, however, That after approval of the selection the Secretary of the Interior shall determine what portion of any rents and royalties accruing thereafter which may be paid under the lease or permit is properly applicable to that portion of the land subject to the lease or permit selected by the State, the portion applicable being determined by applying to the sum of the rents and royalties the same ratio as that existing between the acreage selected by the State and the total acreage subject to the lease or permit; of the portion applicable to the selected land 90 per centum shall be paid to the State by the United States annually and 10 per centum shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States as miscellaneous receipts.

(5) If a selection is consummated as to all of the lands subject to any mineral lease or permit or if, where the selecting State has previously acquired title to a portion of the lands subject to a mineral lease or permit, a selection is consummated as to all of the remaining lands subject to that lease or permit, then and upon condition that the United States shall retain all rents and royalties theretofore paid and that the lessee or permittee shall have and may enjoy under and with respect to that lease or permit all the rights, privileges, and benefits which he would have had or might have enjoyed had the selection not been made and approved, the State shall succeed to all the rights of the United States under the lease or permit as to the mineral or minerals covered thereby, subject, however, to all obligations of the United States under and with respect to that lease or permit.

(b) Adjustments

Where the selections are to compensate for deficiencies of school lands in fractional townships, such selections shall be made in accordance with the following principles of adjustment, to wit: For each township, or fractional township, containing a greater quantity of land than three-quarters of an entire township, one section; for a fractional township, containing a greater quantity of land than one-half, and not more than three-quarters of a township, three-quarters of a section; for a fractional township, containing a greater quantity of land than one-quarter, and not more than one-half of a township, one-half section; and for a fractional township containing a greater quantity of land than one entire section, and not more than one-quarter of a township, one-quarter section of land: Provided, That the States which are, or shall be entitled to both the sixteenth and thirty-sixth sections in place, shall have the right to select double the amounts named, to compensate for deficiencies of school land in fractional townships.

(c) Preference rights for State

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 282 ¹ of this title on the revocation not later than 10 years after the date of approval of this Act, of any order of withdrawal, in whole or in part, the order or notice taking such action shall provide for a period of not less than six months before the date on which it otherwise becomes effective in which the State in which the lands are situated shall have a preferred right of application for selection under this section, subject to the requirements of existing law, except as against the prior existing valid settlement rights and preference rights conferred by existing law other than section 282 ¹ of this title, or as against equitable claims subject to allowance and confirmation, and except where a revocation of an order of withdrawal is made in order to assist in a Federal land program.

(d) "Unappropriated public lands" defined; determination of mineral character of land

(1) The term "unappropriated public lands" as used in this section shall include, without otherwise affecting the meaning thereof, lands withdrawn for coal, phosphate, nitrate, potash, oil, gas, asphaltic minerals, oil shale, sodium, and sulphur, but otherwise subject to appropriation, location, selection, entry, or purchase under the nonmineral laws of the United States; lands withdrawn by Executive Order Numbered 5327, of April 15, 1930, if otherwise available for selection; and the retained or reserved interest of the United States in lands which have been disposed of with a reservation to the United States of all minerals or any specified mineral or minerals.

(2) The determination, for the purposes of this section of the mineral character of lands lost to a State shall be made as of the date of application for selection and upon the basis of the best evidence available at that time.

(R.S. §2276; Feb. 28, 1891, ch. 384, 26 Stat. 797; Pub. L. 85–771, §2, Aug. 27, 1958, 72 Stat. 928; Pub. L. 86–786, §§1, 2, Sept. 14, 1960, 74 Stat. 1024; Pub. L. 89–470, §2, June 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 220.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 282 of this title, referred to in subsec. (c), was repealed by Pub. L. 94–579, title VII, §702, Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2787.

Date of approval of this Act, referred to in subsec. (c), probably means date of approval of Pub. L. 85–771, which was Aug. 27, 1958.

Codification

R.S. §2276 derived from acts May 20, 1826, ch. 83, §1, 4 Stat. 179; Feb. 26, 1859, ch. 58, 11 Stat. 385; June 22, 1874, ch. 422, 18 Stat. 202.

Amendments

1966—Pub. L. 89–470 struck out "or Territory" after "State" once in subsec. (a), twice in subsec. (a)(1), and once each in subsecs. (a)(2), (c), and (d)(2), and "or Territories" after "States" in subsec. (b); substituted "before title could pass to the State" for "prior to survey" in subsec. (a)(1) and (2); and inserted "or unsurveyed" after "surveyed" in subsec. (a).

1960—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 86–786, §1, substituted "If none of the land subject to that lease or permit is in a producing or producible status, subject, however, to the restrictions and conditions of the preceding and following paragraphs of this subsection" for ", but only if all of the lands subject to that lease or permit are selected and if none of the lands subject to that lease or permit are in a producing or producible status; where lands subject to a mineral lease or permit are selected, the State or Territory shall succeed to the position of the United States thereunder", in par. (3), and added pars. (4) and (5).

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 86–786, §2, included interest of United States in lands which have been disposed of with a reservation to United States of all minerals.

1958—Pub. L. 85–771 designated introductory clause as subsec. (a) and added restrictions (1) to (3) thereto; designated remainder as subsec. (b) and added subsecs. (c) and (d).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

University of Alaska; Grantee of Lands, Improvements, and Personal Property of Alaska Agricultural Experiment Station

Pub. L. 102–415, §9, Oct. 14, 1992, 106 Stat. 2114, provided that: "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of the Interior shall convey to the University of Alaska, by quitclaim deed and without consideration, all the right, title, and interest of the United States in and to—

"(1) the lands of the University of Alaska Agricultural Experiment Station, consisting of approximately 16 acres, including improvements on the lands, located at Palmer and Matanuska, Alaska; and

"(2) the lands of the University of Alaska Fur Farm Experiment Station, consisting of approximately 37 acres, including improvements on the lands, located at Petersburg, Alaska, subject to the terms of—

"(A) the lease between the Forest Service and the University of Alaska dated March 29, 1978; and

"(B) the agreement between the parties listed in subparagraph (A) dated March 2, 1983."

Pub. L. 89–620, Oct. 4, 1966, 80 Stat. 871, authorized the Secretary of Agriculture to convey by quitclaim deed and without consideration to the University of Alaska for public purposes all the right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the lands of the Alaska Agricultural Experiment Station, including improvements thereon, and such personal property as may be designated, located at Palmer and Matanuska, Alaska.

University of Alaska; Additional Land Grant for Agricultural College and School of Mines; Conditions and Limitation

Pub. L. 108–452, title I, §105(a), Dec. 10, 2004, 118 Stat. 3579, provided that: "As of January 1, 2003, the remaining State entitlement for the benefit of the University of Alaska under the Act of January 21, 1929 (45 Stat. 1091, chapter 92) [set out below], is 456 acres."

Act Jan. 21, 1929, ch. 92, 45 Stat. 1091, as amended July 12, 1960, Pub. L. 86–620, 74 Stat. 408; Sept. 19, 1966, Pub. L. 89–588, 80 Stat. 811; Pub. L. 108–452, title I, §105(b), Dec. 10, 2004, 118 Stat. 3579, provided: "That in addition to the provision made by the Act of Congress approved March 4, 1915 (thirty-eighth Statutes at Large, page 1214 [classified to section 353 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions, and provisions set out in the Site for Agricultural College and School of Mines note below], for the use and benefit of the Agricultural College and School of Mines, there is granted to the State of Alaska, for the exclusive use and benefit of the Agricultural College and School of Mines, one hundred thousand acres of vacant nonmineral surveyed unreserved public lands in the State of Alaska, to be selected, under the direction and subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior, by the State, and subject to the following conditions and limitations:

"Sec. 2. That the college and school provided for in this act shall forever remain under the exclusive control of the said State, and no part of the proceeds arising from the sale or disposal of any lands granted herein shall be used for the support of any sectarian or denominational college or school.

"Sec. 3. (a) The State of Alaska (referred to in this Act as the 'State'), acting on behalf of, and with the approval of, the University of Alaska, may select—

"(1) any mineral interest (including an interest in oil or gas) in land located in the State, the unreserved portion of which is owned by the University of Alaska; or

"(2) any reversionary interest held by the United States in land located in the State, the unreserved portion of which is owned by the University of Alaska.

"(b) The total acreage of any parcel of land for which a partial interest is conveyed under subsection (a) shall be charged against the remaining entitlement of the State under this Act.

"(c) In taking title to a reversionary interest, the State, with the approval of the University of Alaska, waives all right to any future acreage credit if the reversion does not occur.

"Sec. 4. The Secretary may survey any vacant, unappropriated, and unreserved land in the State for purposes of allowing selections under this Act.

"Sec. 5. The authorized outstanding selections under this Act shall be not more than—

"(1) 125 percent of the remaining entitlement; plus

"(2) the number of acres of land that are in conflict with land owned by the University of Alaska, as identified in Native allotment applications on record with the Bureau of Land Management."

University of Alaska; Site for Agricultural College and School of Mines

Act Mar. 4, 1915, ch. 181, §2, 38 Stat. 1215, provided: "That section numbered 6 in township numbered one south of the Fairbanks base line and range numbered one west of the Fairbanks meridian; section numbered thirty-one, in township numbered one north of the Fairbanks base line and range numbered one west of the Fairbanks meridian; section numbered one, in township numbered one south of the Fairbanks base line and range numbered two west of the Fairbanks meridian; and section numbered thirty-six, in township numbered one north of the Fairbanks base line and range numbered two west of the Fairbanks meridian, are granted to the Territory of Alaska, but with the express condition that they shall be forever reserved and dedicated to use as a site for an agricultural college and school of mines: Provided, That nothing in this Act [classified to section 353 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions, and set out in this note] shall be held to interfere with or destroy any legal claim of any person or corporation to any part of said lands under the homestead [law, chapter 7 of this title.] or other law for the disposal of the public lands acquired prior to the approval of this Act [Mar. 4, 1915]: Provided further, That so much of the said land as is now [Mar. 4, 1915] used by the Government of the United States as an agricultural experiment station may continue to be used for such purpose until abandoned for that use by an order of the President of the United States or by Act of Congress."

¹ See References in Text note below.

§852a. Applications for unsurveyed lands; regulations; acreage requirements

The Secretary of the Interior may issue regulations governing applications for unsurveyed lands. If he establishes any minimum acreage requirements, they shall provide for selection of tracts of reasonable size, taking into consideration location, terrain, and adjacent land ownership and uses.

(Pub. L. 89–470, §3, June 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 220.)

§852b. Survey of lands prior to transfer; time for survey; availability of funds; lands suitable for transfer

Prior to issuance of an instrument of transfer, lands must be surveyed. The Secretary of the Interior shall within five years, subject to the availability of funds, survey the exterior boundaries of lands approved as suitable for transfer to the State.

(Pub. L. 89–470, §4, June 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 220.)

§853. Selections in Utah to supply deficiencies of school lands

All the provisions of sections 851 and 852 of this title, which provide for the selection of lands for educational purposes in lieu of those appropriated for other purposes, are made applicable to the State of Utah, and the grant of school lands to said State, including sections 2 and 32 in each township, and indemnity therefor, shall be administered and adjusted in accordance with the provisions of said sections, anything in the Act approved July 16, 1894, providing for the admission of said State into the Union, to the contrary notwithstanding.

Wherever the words "sections 16 and 36" occur in said sections, the same as applicable to the State of Utah shall read: "sections 2, 16, 32, and 36", and wherever the words "sixteenth and thirty-sixth sections" occur the same shall read: "second, sixteenth, thirty-second, and thirty-sixth sections", and wherever the words "sections 16 or 36" occur the same shall read: "sections 2, 16, 32, or 36", and wherever the words "two sections" occur the same shall read "four sections."

(May 3, 1902, ch. 683, §§1, 2, 32 Stat. 188, 189.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Act approved July 16, 1894, referred to in text, is act July 16, 1894, ch. 138, 28 Stat. 107. Provisions of such act relating to admission of Utah into the Union are not classified to the Code.

§854. Selections in New Mexico to supply deficiencies of school lands

All the provisions of sections 851 and 852 of this title are made applicable to New Mexico, and the grant of school lands to said State, and indemnity therefor, shall be administered and adjusted in accordance with the provisions of such sections, anything in the Act of Congress approved June 21, 1898, making certain grants of land to the Territory of New Mexico, and for other purposes, to the contrary notwithstanding.

(Mar. 16, 1908, ch. 88, 35 Stat. 44.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Act of Congress approved June 21, 1898, referred to in text, is act June 21, 1898, ch. 489, 30 Stat. 484, which is not classified to the Code.

References to "Territory" of New Mexico were superseded by the admission of New Mexico into the Union by act June 30, 1910, ch. 310, 36 Stat. 557, and Res. Aug. 21, 1911, No. 8, 37 Stat. 39.

§855. Omitted

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section, act Mar. 2, 1923, ch. 184, 42 Stat. 1429, authorized Secretary of the Interior to convey certain lands to State of Wyoming which were to be selected in lieu of tract numbered 60, township 56, north, of range 69 west of the sixth principal meridian in that State.

§856. Selection of school lands on ceded Indian reservations

Any State or Territory entitled to indemnity school lands or entitled to select lands for educational purposes under law existing prior to March 2, 1895, may select such lands within the boundaries of any Indian reservation in such State or Territory from the surplus lands thereof, purchased by the United States after allotments have been made to the Indians of such reservation, and prior to the opening of such reservation to settlement.

(Mar. 2, 1895, ch. 188, §1, 28 Stat. 899.)

§857. Grant to new States

There is granted, for purposes of internal improvement, to each new State admitted into the Union, after September 4, 1841, upon such admission, so much public land as, including the quantity that was granted to such State before its admission and while under a territorial government, will make five hundred thousand acres.

The selections of lands, granted in this section, shall be made within the limits of each State so admitted into the Union, in such manner as the legislatures thereof, respectively, may direct; and such lands shall be located in parcels conformably to sectional divisions and subdivisions of not less than three hundred and twenty acres in any one location, on any public land not reserved from sale by law of Congress or by proclamation of the President. The locations may be made at any time after the public lands in any such new State have been surveyed according to law.

(R.S. §§2378, 2379.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

R.S. §§2378, 2379 derived from act Sept. 4, 1841, ch. 16, §8, 5 Stat. 455.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Grants Not To Extend to Alaska

Land grant under Alaska Statehood provisions in lieu of grant of land under this section (declared not to extend to Alaska), see section 6(l) of Pub. L. 85–508, set out as a note preceding section 21 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

Executive Documents

Admission of Alaska as State

Admission of Alaska into the Union was accomplished Jan. 3, 1959, on issuance of Proc. No. 3269, Jan. 3, 1959, 24 F.R. 81, 73 Stat. c16, as required by sections 1 and 8(c) of Pub. L. 85–508, July 7, 1958, 72 Stat. 339, set out as notes preceding section 21 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

§858. Grants to counties for seats of justice

There shall be granted to the several counties or parishes of each State and Territory, where there are public lands, at the minimum price for which public lands of the United States are sold, the right of preemption to one quarter section of land, in each of the counties or parishes, in trust for such counties or parishes, respectively, for the establishment of seats of justice therein; but the proceeds of the sale of each of such quarter section shall be appropriated for the purpose of erecting public buildings in the county or parish for which it is located, after deducting therefrom the amount originally paid for the same. And the seat of justice for such counties or parishes, respectively, shall be fixed previously to a sale of the adjoining lands within the county or parish for which the same is located.

(R.S. §2286.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

R.S. §2286 derived from act May 26, 1824, ch. 169, §1, 4 Stat. 50.

§859. Fee simple to pass in all grants

Where lands have been or may hereafter be granted by any law of Congress to any one of the several States and Territories, and where such law does not convey the fee-simple title of the lands, or require patents to be issued therefor, the list of such lands which have been or may hereafter be certified by the Secretary of the Interior or such officer as he may designate, under the seal of his office, either as originals or copies of the originals or records shall be regarded as conveying the fee simple of all the lands embraced in such lists that are of the character contemplated by such Act of Congress, and intended to be granted thereby, but where lands embraced in such lists are not of the character embraced by such Acts of Congress, and are not intended to be granted thereby, the lists, so far as these lands are concerned, shall be perfectly null and void, and no right, title, claim, or interest shall be conveyed thereby.

(R.S. §2449; 1946 Reorg. Plan No. 3, §403, eff. July 16, 1946, 11 F.R. 7876, 60 Stat. 1100.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

R.S. §2449 derived from acts Aug. 3, 1854, ch. 201, 10 Stat. 346; Mar. 3, 1875, ch. 139, §8, 18 Stat. 475.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174, 64 Stat. 1262, set out under section 1451 of this title.

"Secretary of the Interior or such officer as he may designate" substituted for "Commissioner of the General Land Office" on authority of section 403 of Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1946. See note set out under section 1 of this title.

§860. Repealed. Dec. 16, 1930, ch. 14, §1, 46 Stat. 1029

Section, act Feb. 27, 1913, ch. 85, §§1–3, 37 Stat. 687, related to selection of phosphate or oil lands by State of Idaho under indemnity and other land grants. See sections 121 to 123 of Title 30, Mineral Lands and Mining.

§861. Preference right of selection granted certain Western States; bona fide settlers

The States of North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, and Washington shall have a preference right over any person or corporation to select lands subject to entry by said States by the Act of Congress approved February 22, 1889, for a period of sixty days after lands have been surveyed and duly declared to be subject to selection and entry under the general land laws of the United States.

Such preference right shall not accrue against bona fide homestead or preemption settlers on any of said lands at the date of filing of the plat of survey of any township in any local land office of said States.

(Mar. 3, 1893, ch. 208, 27 Stat. 592.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Act February 22, 1889, referred to in text, is act Feb. 22, 1889, ch. 180, 25 Stat. 676. Provisions relating to admission of the enumerated States into the Union are not classified to the Code.

§862. Omitted

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section, act June 18, 1874, ch. 305, 18 Stat. 80, provided for issuance of patents for lands granted State of Oregon prior to June 18, 1874, upon certificate of Governor that wagon roads had been built over those lands in accordance with terms of grants.

§863. Survey of lands granted to certain Western States

It shall be lawful for the Governors of the States of Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming to apply to the Secretary of the Interior or such officer as he may designate for the survey of any township or townships of public land then remaining unsurveyed in any of the several surveying districts, with a view to satisfy the public land grants made by the several Acts admitting the said States into the Union to the extent of the full quantity of land called for thereby; and upon the application of said governors the Secretary or such officer shall proceed to immediately notify such officer as may be designated by the Secretary of the application made by the governor of any of the said States of the application made for the withdrawal of said lands, and the officer so designated shall proceed to have the survey or surveys so applied for made, as in the cases of surveys of public lands; and the lands that may be found to fall within the limits of such township or townships, as ascertained by the survey, shall be reserved upon the filing of the application for survey from any adverse appropriation by settlement or otherwise except under rights that may be found to exist of prior inception, for a period to extend from such application for survey until the expiration of sixty days from the date of the filing of the township plat of survey in the proper district land office, during which period of sixty days the State may select any of such lands not embraced in any valid adverse claim, for the satisfaction of such grants, with the condition, however, that the governor of the State, within thirty days from the date of such filing of the application for survey, shall cause a notice to be published, which publication shall be continued for thirty days from the first publication, in some newspaper of general circulation in the vicinity of the lands likely to be embraced in such township or townships, giving notice to all parties interested of the fact of such application for survey and the exclusive right of selection by the State for the aforesaid period of sixty days as herein provided for; and after the expiration of such period of sixty days any lands which may remain unselected by the State, and not otherwise appropriated according to law, shall be subject to disposal under general laws as other public lands: And provided further, That the Secretary of the Interior or such officer as he may designate shall give notice immediately of the reservation of any township or townships to the local land office in which the land is situate of the withdrawal of such township or townships, for the purpose hereinbefore provided.

(Aug. 18, 1894, ch. 301, 28 Stat. 394; Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 462, 43 Stat. 1144; June 26, 1934, ch. 756, §22, 48 Stat. 1236; 1946 Reorg. Plan No. 3, §403, eff. July 16, 1946, 11 F.R. 7876, 60 Stat. 1100.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1934—Act June 26, 1934, repealed last proviso which authorized governors of States named to advance money for survey of certain townships.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Abolition of Office of Surveyor General and Transfer of Functions

Act Mar. 3, 1925, abolished office of surveyor general and transferred administration of all activities in charge of surveyors general to Field Surveying Service under jurisdiction of United States Supervisor of Surveys.

Repeals

Act June 26, 1934, ch. 756, §22, 48 Stat. 1236, cited as a credit to this section, was repealed by Pub. L. 97–258, §5(b), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1074.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174, 64 Stat. 1262, set out under section 1451 of this title.

First and third references to "Commissioner of the General Land Office" changed to "Secretary of the Interior or such officer as he may designate"; second such reference changed to "Secretary or such officer"; and the two references to "Supervisor of Surveys" changed to "such officer as may be designated by the Secretary" and "the officer so designated," respectively, all on authority of section 403 of Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1946. See note set out under section 1 of this title.

§864. Survey of land grants to Florida

It shall be lawful for the properly credited agent or official of the State of Florida having in charge the adjustment of its school grant to apply to the Secretary of the Interior, or such officer as he may designate, for the survey of any townships or parts of townships of public land unsurveyed in any of the surveying districts of said State, with a view to satisfy the grant in aid of schools made to said State of Florida to the extent of the full quantity of land called for thereby; and upon the application of said agent or official, the Secretary or such officer as he may designate shall proceed to have the survey or surveys so applied for made, as in the case of surveys of other public lands; and the lands that may be found to fall within the limits of such townships or parts of townships as ascertained by the survey shall be reserved, upon the filing of the application for survey from any adverse appropriation by settlement or otherwise, except under rights that may be found to exist of prior inception, for a period to extend from such application for survey until the expiration of sixty days from date of filing of the township plat of survey in the proper district land office, which period of sixty days the State may select any of such lands not embraced in any valid adverse claim for the satisfaction of its school grant, as aforesaid, with the condition, however, that the agent or official of the State, within thirty days from the date of such filing of the application for survey, shall cause a notice to be published, which publication shall be continued for thirty days from date of first publication in some newspaper of general circulation in the vicinity of the lands likely to be embraced in such townships or parts of townships giving notice to all parties interested of the fact of such application for survey and the exclusive right of selection by the State for the aforesaid period of sixty days as herein provided for, and after the expiration of such sixty days any lands which may remain unselected by the State and not otherwise appropriated according to law shall be subject to disposal under general laws as other public lands: Provided, That the Secretary or such officer as he may designate shall give notice immediately of the reservation of any township or parts of townships to the officials of the local land office of the land district in which the land is situated of the withdrawal of such townships or parts of townships for the purpose hereinbefore provided: Provided further, That nothing herein shall be deemed to authorize the Secretary or such officer as he may designate to survey any lands within the exterior boundaries of the Everglades, as defined in Everglades patent numbered 137, issued to the State of Florida by the United States under the Swamp Land Act of 1850.

(Feb. 16, 1921, ch. 60, 41 Stat. 1103; 1946 Reorg. Plan No. 3, §403, eff. July 16, 1946, 11 F.R. 7876, 60 Stat. 1100.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Swamp Land Act of 1850, referred to in text, is act Sept. 28, 1850, ch. 84, 9 Stat. 519, which was incorporated into the Revised Statutes of 1878 as R.S. §§2479–2481, which are classified to sections 982 to 984 of this title.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174, 64 Stat. 1262, set out under section 1451 of this title.

First reference to "Commissioner of the General Land Office" changed to "Secretary of the Interior, or such officer as he may designate,", and remaining three such references changed to "Secretary or such officer as he may designate", on authority of section 403 of Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1946. See note set out under section 1 of this title.

§865. Confirmation of certain lands selected by California

All selections of any portion of the public domain, to which, prior to July 23, 1866, no homestead, preemption, or other right had been acquired by any settler under the laws of the United States, and not being mineral land, nor reserved for naval, military, or Indian purposes nor held or claimed under any valid Mexican or Spanish grant, and not included within the limits of any city, town, or village or of the county of San Francisco, made prior to the 23d day of July 1866, and theretofore sold to bona fide purchasers by the State of California are confirmed to the State of California: Provided, however, That said State shall not receive any greater quantity of land for school or improvement purposes than she is entitled to by law.

When selections named in the above paragraph have been made upon lands already surveyed by authority of the United States, the authorities of said States, where the same has not been already done, shall notify the officer, as the Secretary of the Interior may designate, of the land office, for the district in which the land is situated, which notice shall be regarded as the date of the State selection; and the said officers, as the Secretary may designate, of the several land offices, after investigation and decision, shall, under the instruction of the Secretary of the Interior, or such officer as he may designate, forward all such selections to the Bureau of Land Management, and the Secretary or such officer shall certify the same over to the State in the usual manner.

When the State of California has made such selections from the lands not surveyed by the authority of the United States, but which selections have been surveyed by the authority of said State, and the land sold to purchasers in good faith, under the laws of the State, such selections, from said 23d of July, 1866, when marked off and designated in the field, shall have the same force and effect as the preemption rights of a settler upon unsurveyed public lands; and if upon a survey of such lands by the United States, the lines of the two surveys shall be found not to agree, the selection shall be so changed as to include those legal subdivisions which nearest conform to the identical land included in the State survey and selection. Upon filing with the officer as the Secretary of the Interior may designate of the proper United States land office of the township plat, in which any such selection of unsurveyed land is located, the holder of the State title shall be allowed the same time to present and prove up his purchase and claim as was allowed preemptors under existing laws, and if found in accordance with the law the land embraced therein shall be certified over to the State by the Secretary of the Interior or such officer as he may designate.

(R.S. §§2485–2487; 1946 Reorg. Plan No. 3, §403, eff. July 16, 1946, 11 F.R. 7876, 60 Stat. 1100.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

R.S. §2485 derived from acts July 23, 1866, ch. 219, §1, 14 Stat. 218; Mar. 3, 1875, ch. 139, §7, 18 Stat. 475. R.S. §§2486, 2487 are from act July 23, 1866, ch. 219, §23, 14 Stat. 219.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174, 64 Stat. 1262, set out under section 1451 of this title.

In second par., "register of the land office," changed to "officer, as the Secretary of the Interior may designate, of the land office,"; "registers of the several land offices," changed to "officers, as the Secretary may designate, of the several land offices,"; first reference to "Commissioner of the General Land Office" changed to "Secretary of the Interior, or such officer as he may designate,"; "Bureau of Land Management" substituted for "General Land Office"; and second reference to "Commissioner of the General Land Office" changed to "Secretary or such officer", on authority of section 403 of Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1946. In third par., "register" changed to "officer as the Secretary of the Interior may designate", and "Commissioner of the General Land Office" changed to "Secretary of the Interior or such officer as he may designate", on authority of that plan. See note set out under section 1 of this title.

§866. Exchange of cut over land in Montana

Tracts of timbered lands prior to February 14, 1923, granted to the State of Montana for educational purposes, from which the timber has been cut or removed pursuant to State laws, may, under such rules and regulations as the legislature of said State shall prescribe, be exchanged for other lands of like character and approximately of equal value, in private ownership, which exchanged land shall be subject to the same requirements and limitations to the end that the State may acquire holdings in reasonably compact form and reforesting be undertaken in an economic manner, anything in the enabling act of said State to the contrary notwithstanding.

(Feb. 14, 1923, ch. 74, 42 Stat. 1245.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The enabling act of Montana, referred to in text, is act Feb. 22, 1889, ch. 180, 25 Stat. 676. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

§867. Omitted

Editorial Notes

Codification

Section, R.S. §2377; act June 20, 1874, ch. 330, 18 Stat. 111, related to extension of obsolete section 829 of this title to reissue of agricultural land scrip, canceled, or destroyed without the fault of the owner thereof.

§868. Representation of Indian claimants in suits to determine right to school lands

In any suit instituted in the Supreme Court of the United States to determine the right of a State to what are commonly known as school lands within any Indian Reservation or any Indian cession where an Indian tribe claims any right to or interest in the lands in controversy, or in the disposition thereof by the United States, the right of such State may be fully tested and determined without making the Indian tribe, or any portion thereof, a party to the suit if the Secretary of the Interior is made a party thereto; and the duty of representing and defending the right or interest of the Indian tribe, or any portion thereof, in the matter shall devolve upon the Attorney General upon the request of such Secretary.

(Mar. 2, 1901, ch. 808, 31 Stat. 950.)

§869. Disposal of lands for public or recreational purposes

(a) Application; conditions; classification; restoration if not applied for

The Secretary of the Interior upon application filed by a duly qualified applicant under section 869–1 of this title may, in the manner prescribed by sections 869 to 869–4 of this title, dispose of any public lands to a State, federally recognized Indian Tribe, Territory, county, municipality, or other State, Tribal, Territorial, or Federal instrumentality or political subdivision for any public purposes, or to a nonprofit corporation or nonprofit association for any recreational or any public purpose consistent with its articles of incorporation or other creating authority. Before the land may be disposed of under sections 869 to 869–4 of this title it must be shown to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the land is to be used for an established or definitely proposed project, that the land involved is not of national significance nor more than is reasonably necessary for the proposed use, and that for proposals of over 640 acres comprehensive land use plans and zoning regulations applicable to the area in which the public lands to be disposed of are located have been adopted by the appropriate State, Tribal, or local authority. The Secretary shall provide an opportunity for participation by affected citizens in disposals under sections 869 to 869–4 of this title, including public hearings or meetings where he deems it appropriate to provide public comments, and shall hold at least one public meeting on any proposed disposal of more than six hundred forty acres under sections 869 to 869–4 of this title. The Secretary may classify public lands in Alaska for disposition under sections 869 to 869–4 of this title. Lands so classified may not be appropriated under any other public land law unless the Secretary revises such classification or authorizes the disposition of an interest in the lands under other applicable law. If, within eighteen months following such classification, no application has been filed for the purpose for which the lands have been so classified, then the Secretary shall restore such lands to appropriation under the applicable public land laws.

(b) Acreage limitations

Conveyances made in any one calendar year shall be limited as follows:

(1) For recreational purposes:

(A) To any State or the State park agency or any other agency having jurisdiction over the State park system of such State designated by the Governor of that State as its sole representative for acceptance of lands under this provision, hereinafter referred to as the State, or to any political subdivision of such State, six thousand four hundred acres, and such additional acreage as may be needed for small roadside parks and rest sites of not more than ten acres each.

(B) To any nonprofit corporation or nonprofit association, six hundred and forty acres.

(C) No more than twenty-five thousand six hundred acres may be conveyed for recreational purposes under sections 869 to 869–4 of this title in any one State per calendar year. Should any State or political subdivision, however, fail to secure, in any one year, six thousand four hundred acres, not counting lands for small roadside parks and rest sites, conveyances may be made thereafter if pursuant to an application on file with the Secretary of the Interior on or before the last day of said year and to the extent that the conveyance would not have exceeded the limitations of said year.

(D) To any federally recognized Indian Tribe, 6,400 acres.

(2) For public purposes other than recreation:

(A) To any State or agency or instrumentality thereof, for any one program, six hundred and forty acres.

(B) To any political subdivision of a State, six hundred and forty acres.

(C) To any nonprofit corporation or nonprofit association, six hundred and forty acres.

(D) To any federally recognized Indian Tribe, 640 acres.

(c) Lands withdrawn in aid of functions of a department, agency, State, etc.; lands excepted from disposal

Where the lands have been withdrawn in aid of a function of a Federal department or agency other than the Department of the Interior, or of a State, Territory, county, municipality, water district, or other local governmental subdivision or agency, the Secretary of the Interior may make disposals under sections 869 to 869–4 of this title only with the consent of such Federal department or agency, or of such State, Territory, or local governmental unit. Nothing in sections 869 to 869–4 of this title shall be construed to apply to lands in any national forest, national park, or national monument, or national wildlife refuge, or to any Indian lands or lands set aside or held for the use or benefit of Indians, including lands over which jurisdiction has been transferred to the Department of the Interior by Executive order for the use of Indians, or, except insofar as sections 869 to 869–4 of this title apply to leases of land to States, federally recognized Indian Tribes, and counties and to State, Tribal, Territorial, and Federal instrumentalities and political subdivisions and to municipal corporations, to the revested Oregon and California Railroad grant lands and the reconveyed Coos Bay Wagon Road grant lands in the State of Oregon. Nor shall any disposition be made under sections 869 to 869–4 of this title for any use authorized under any other law.

(June 14, 1926, ch. 578, §1, 44 Stat. 741; June 4, 1954, ch. 263, 68 Stat. 173; Pub. L. 86–66, §2, June 23, 1959, 73 Stat. 110; Pub. L. 86–292, §1, Sept. 21, 1959, 73 Stat. 571; Pub. L. 86–755, Sept. 13, 1960, 74 Stat. 899; Pub. L. 94–579, title II, §212(a), (b), Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2759; Pub. L. 117–328, div. DD, title I, §104(a), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5580.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 117–328, §104(a)(1), inserted "federally recognized Indian Tribe," before "Territory," and "Tribal," before "Territorial," in first sentence and ", Tribal," before "or local authority" in second sentence.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 117–328, §104(a)(2), redesignated cls. (i) and (ii) as pars. (1) and (2), respectively, and added subpar. (D) to pars. (1) and (2).

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 117–328, §104(a)(3), substituted "States, federally recognized Indian Tribes, and counties and to State, Tribal, Territorial, and Federal" for "States and counties and to State and Federal" and struck out ", except for a use authorized under sections 682a to 682e of this title" before period at end.

1976—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–579, §212(a), inserted provisions requiring lands proposed to be disposed not to be of national significance nor more than reasonably necessary for the proposed use, provisions relating to proposals of over 640 acres, and provisions relating to participation by affected individuals.

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 94–579, §212(b), in cl. (A) inserted reference to State political subdivision and struck out limitation of three sites, limitation of six sites for calendar years 1960, 1961, and 1962, and proviso for additional sites where conveyances in one year did not meet the authorized number, in cl. (B) substituted "nonprofit corporation or nonprofit association" for "political subdivision of a State", and in cl. (C) substituted provisions relating to authorization for a calendar year, for provisions authorizing six hundred and forty acres to any nonprofit corporation or association.

1960—Subsec. (b)(i)(A). Pub. L. 86–755 inserted "or the State park agency or any other agency having jurisdiction over the State park system of said State designated by the Governor of that State as its sole representative for acceptance of lands under this provision," after "State" and inserted proviso.

1959—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 86–292 substituted acreage limitations making special allowances to States for recreational areas for provision which limited conveyance to 640 acres to any one grantee in any one calendar year.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 86–66 substituted provisions making sections 869 to 869–4 of this title inapplicable, except insofar as those sections apply to leases of land to States and counties and to State and Federal instrumentalities and political subdivisions and to municipal corporations, to revested Oregon and California Railroad grant lands and reconveyed Coos Bay Wagon Road grant lands in the State of Oregon, for provisions which made those sections inapplicable to the revested Oregon and California Railroad grant lands and reconveyed Coos Bay Wagon Road grant lands.

1954—Act June 4, 1954, divided provisions of act June 14, 1926, on which this section is based, into separate sections (now set out as this section and sections 869–1 to 869–4 of this title), and changed provisions generally to broaden authority of Secretary of the Interior to dispose of public lands for public purposes (1) by including provisions for disposal thereof to Territories (including Alaska), other political subdivisions, and nonprofit corporations and associations rather than to States, counties, and municipalities only, (2) by permitting the disposal thereof for "public" purposes, rather than merely for "recreational" purposes as theretofore, (3) by striking out "nonmineral" in describing the lands which may be so disposed of, (4) by inserting limitation provisions set out in subsecs. (b) and (c) of this section, (5) by amending and transferring to section 2 of that act (section 869–1 of this title) provisions governing methods of, and conditions with respect to the, disposing of the lands for those purposes (see Prior Provisions note set out under section 869–1 of this title), including provision for the reservation of mineral deposits, (6) by amending and transferring to section 3 of that act (section 869–2 of this title) provisions with respect to reversion of the lands to the United States in certain cases (see Prior Provisions note set out under section 869–2 of this title), (7) by enacting, as section 4 of that act, provisions set out as section 869–3 of this title, and (8) by inserting provision in this section that disposals should be made "upon application by a duly qualified applicant" under section 869–1 of this title.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1960 Amendment

Pub. L. 86–755, Sept. 13, 1960, 74 Stat. 899, provided that the amendment made by Pub. L. 86–755 is effective Sept. 21, 1959.

Short Title of 1988 Amendment

Pub. L. 100–648, §1, Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3813, provided that: "This Act [amending section 869–2 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 869–2 of this title] may be cited as the 'Recreation and Public Purposes Amendment Act of 1988'."

Short Title

Act June 14, 1926, ch. 578, 44 Stat. 741, which enacted sections 869 to 869–4 of this title, is popularly known as the "Recreation and Public Purposes Act".

Savings Provision

Amendment by Pub. L. 94–579 not to be construed as terminating any valid lease, permit, patent, etc., existing on Oct. 21, 1976, see section 701 of Pub. L. 94–579, set out as a note under section 1701 of this title.

§869–1. Sale or lease to State or nonprofit organization; reservation of mineral deposits; termination of lease for nonuse

The Secretary of the Interior may after due consideration as to the power value of the land, whether or not withdrawn therefor, (a) sell such land to the State, federally recognized Indian Tribe, Territory, county, or other State, Tribal, Territorial, or Federal instrumentality or political subdivision in which the lands are situated, or to a nearby federally recognized Indian Tribe or municipal corporation in the same State or Territory, for the purpose for which the land has been classified, and conveyances of such land for historic-monument purposes or recreational purposes under this section shall be made without monetary consideration, while conveyances for any other purpose under this section shall be made at a price to be fixed by the Secretary of the Interior through appraisal or otherwise, after taking into consideration the purpose for which the lands are to be used, (b) lease such land to the State, federally recognized Indian Tribe, Territory, county, or other State, Tribal, Territorial, or Federal instrumentality or political subdivision in which the lands are situated, or to a nearby federally recognized Indian Tribe or municipal corporation in the same State or Territory, for the purpose for which the land has been classified, at a reasonable annual rental, except that leases of such lands for recreational purposes shall be made without monetary consideration, for a period up to twenty-five years, and, at the discretion of the Secretary, with a privilege of renewal for a like period, (c) sell such land to a nonprofit corporation or nonprofit association, for the purpose for which the land has been classified, at a price to be fixed by the Secretary of the Interior through appraisal, after taking into consideration the purpose for which the lands are to be used, or (d) lease such land to a nonprofit corporation or nonprofit association at a reasonable annual rental, for a period up to twenty years, and, at the discretion of the Secretary, with a privilege of renewal for a like period. Each patent or lease so issued shall contain a reservation to the United States of all mineral deposits in the lands conveyed or leased and of the right to mine and remove the same, under applicable laws and regulations to be established by the Secretary. Each lease shall contain a provision for its termination upon a finding by the Secretary that the land has not been used by the lessee for the purpose specified in the lease for such period, not over five years, as may be specified in the lease, or that such land or any part thereof is being devoted to another use.

(June 14, 1926, ch. 578, §2, as added June 4, 1954, ch. 263, 68 Stat. 174; amended Pub. L. 89–457, §1, June 20, 1966, 80 Stat. 210; Pub. L. 94–579, title II, §212(c), (d), Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2760; Pub. L. 117–328, div. DD, title I, §104(b), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5581.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Provisions similar to those in this section were formerly contained in section 869 of this title. See 1954 Amendment note set out under that section. Those prior provisions did not require, as in this section, the Secretary of the Interior to take into account the possible power value of the lands, whether withdrawn therefor, or not, before authorizing any disposal of them under section 869 of this title; did not provide, as in this section, for the sale or lease of those lands to Federal instrumentalities, to Territories and to political subdivisions other than States, counties, and municipalities, and to nonprofit corporations and associations; and did not provide, as in this section, that conveyances of that land for historic-monument purposes should be made without monetary consideration. See section 869 of this title.

Amendments

2022—Pub. L. 117–328 inserted ", federally recognized Indian Tribe" before ", Territory" in two places, "Tribal," before "Territorial," in two places, and "federally recognized Indian Tribe or" before "municipal corporation" in two places.

1976—Pub. L. 94–579 in cl. (a) inserted reference to recreational purposes and in cl. (b) inserted reference to leases for recreational purposes.

1966—Pub. L. 89–457 authorized an increase in the period of a lease under cl. (b) from twenty to twenty-five years.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Savings Provision

Amendment by Pub. L. 94–579 not to be construed as terminating any valid lease, permit, patent, etc., existing on Oct. 21, 1976, see section 701 of Pub. L. 94–579, set out as a note under section 1701 of this title.

Period of Leases

Pub. L. 89–457, §2, June 20, 1966, 80 Stat. 210, provided that: "Upon application by a lessee holding a lease under the Recreation and Public Purposes Act [sections 869 to 869–4 of this title] the Secretary of the Interior may enter into a new lease for a term not to exceed twenty-five years from the date of the new lease."

§869–2. Conditions of transfer by grantee; solid waste disposal

(a) Conditions of transfer by grantee

Title to lands conveyed by the Government under sections 869 to 869–4 of this title may not be transferred by the grantee or its successor except, with the consent of the Secretary of the Interior, to a transferee which would be a qualified grantee under section 869–1(a) or 869–1(c) of this title and subject to the acreage limitation contained in section 869(b) of this title. A grantee or its successor may not change the use specified in the conveyance to another or additional use except, with the consent of the Secretary, to a use for which such grantee or its successor could obtain a conveyance under sections 869 to 869–4 of this title. If at any time after the lands are conveyed by the Government, the grantee or its successor attempts to transfer title to or control over these lands to another or the lands are devoted to a use other than that for which the lands were conveyed, without the consent of the Secretary, title to the lands shall revert to the United States.

(b) New disposal sites

(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, if the Secretary receives an application for conveyance of land under sections 869 to 869–4 of this title for the express purpose of solid waste disposal or for another purpose which the Secretary finds may include the disposal, placement, or release of any hazardous substance, the Secretary may convey such land subject only to the provisions of this subsection.

(2) Prior to issuance of any conveyance of land under this subsection the Secretary shall investigate the land covered by an application for such conveyance to determine whether or not any hazardous substance is present on such land. Such investigation shall include a review of any available records as to the use of such land and all appropriate analysis of the soil, water and air associated with such land. No land shall be conveyed under this subsection if such investigation indicates that any hazardous substance is present on such land.

(3) No application for conveyance under this subsection shall be acted on by the Secretary until the applicant has furnished evidence, satisfactory to the Secretary, that a copy of the application and information concerning the proposed use of the land covered by the application has been provided to the Environmental Protection Agency and to all other State and Federal agencies with responsibility for enforcement of State and Federal laws applicable to lands used for the disposal, placement, or release of solid waste or any hazardous substance.

(4) No application for conveyance under this subsection shall be acted on by the Secretary until the applicant has given a warranty that use of the land covered by the application will be consistent with all applicable State and Federal laws, including laws dealing with the disposal, placement, or release of hazardous substances, and that the applicant will hold the United States harmless from any liability that may arise out of any violation of any such law.

(5) A conveyance under this subsection shall be made to the extent that the applicant has demonstrated to the Secretary that the land covered by an application meets all applicable State and local requirements and is appropriate in character and reasonable in acreage in order to meet an existing or reasonably anticipated need for solid waste disposal or for another proposed use that the Secretary finds may include the disposal, placement, or release of any hazardous substance.

(6) A conveyance under this subsection shall be subject to the following conditions:

(A) Except as otherwise provided in subparagraphs (B) and (D) of this paragraph, the document of conveyance shall provide that the lands conveyed under this subsection shall revert to the United States, unless substantially all of the lands have been used, on or before the date five years after the date of conveyance, for the purpose or purposes specified in the application, or for other use or uses authorized under subsection (a) with the consent of the Secretary.

(B) In the event that at any time after such conveyance any portion of such lands has not been used for the purpose or purposes specified in the application, and the party to whom such lands were conveyed by the Secretary shall transfer ownership of such unused portion to any other party, the party to whom such lands were conveyed by the Secretary shall be liable to pay the Secretary, on behalf of the United States, the fair market value of such transferred portion as of the date of such transfer, including the value of any improvements thereon. Subject to appropriations, all amounts received by the Secretary under this subparagraph shall be retained by the Secretary and used for the management of public lands and shall remain available until expended.

(C) Pricing for conveyances of land under this subsection shall be in accordance with the provisions of section 869–1 of this title, except that no compensation shall be required for the inclusion of only the limited reverter specified in this paragraph.

(D) Each patent issued under this subsection shall specify that no portion of the lands covered by such patent shall under any circumstances revert to the United States if such portion has been used for solid waste disposal or for any other purpose that the Secretary finds may result in the disposal, placement, or release of any hazardous substance.

(7) For purposes of this section the term "hazardous substance" has the same meaning as such term has when used in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.).

(c) Existing disposal sites

(1) Upon the application or with the concurrence of any party to whom the Secretary, prior to November 10, 1988, conveyed land under sections 869 to 869–4 of this title, the Secretary may renounce the reversionary interests of the United States in such land, or portion thereof, if the Secretary finds that such land, or portion thereof, has been used for solid waste disposal or for any other purpose which the Secretary finds may result in the disposal, placement, or release of any hazardous substance, and the Secretary may rescind any portion of any patent or other instrument of conveyance inconsistent with such renunciation. After such renunciation, affected lands shall not under any circumstances revert to the United States by the operation of law, and shall cease to be subject to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.

(2) Upon the application or with the concurrence of a party to whom the Secretary, prior to November 10, 1988, leased lands pursuant to sections 869 to 869–4 of this title, the Secretary may convey in fee the lands covered by such lease or any portion thereof which have been used for solid waste disposal or for any other purpose that the Secretary finds may result in the disposal, placement, or release of any hazardous substance. Notwithstanding any other provision of sections 869 to 869–4 of this title, a patent issued pursuant to this paragraph shall not contain a reverter provision and the lands covered by such patent shall not under any circumstances revert to the United States by operation of law after the issuance of such patent and shall not be subject to the provisions of subsection (a) of this section.

(June 14, 1926, ch. 578, §3, as added June 4, 1954, ch. 263, 68 Stat. 175; amended Pub. L. 86–292, §2, Sept. 21, 1959, 73 Stat. 571; Pub. L. 100–648, §2, Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3813.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, referred to in subsec. (b)(7), probably means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, Pub. L. 96–510, Dec. 11, 1980, 94 Stat. 2767, which is classified principally to chapter 103 (§9601 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 9601 of Title 42 and Tables.

Prior Provisions

Prior provisions on the subject of reverter were formerly contained in section 869 of this title. See 1954 Amendment note set out under that section. Those prior provisions permanently restricted the lands conveyed to a single use, and did not provide, as in this section, for transfer by the original grantee or its successor.

Amendments

1988—Pub. L. 100–648 designated existing provision as subsec. (a) and added subsecs. (b) and (c).

1959—Pub. L. 86–292 struck out sentence which provided that this section should cease to be in effect as to any lands patented under sections 869 to 869–4 of this title twenty-five years after the issuance of patent for such lands.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Savings Provisions

Pub. L. 100–648, §3, Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3815, provided that: "Nothing in this Act [amending section 869–2 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 869 and 869–2 of this title] or the amendments made thereby shall be construed to affect the applicability and operation of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation[,] and Liability Act [of 1980] (42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.) as amended, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), as amended."

Congressional Review of Conveyance of Land or Renunciation of Reversionary Interests

Pub. L. 100–648, §4, Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3815, provided that:

"(a) The Secretary shall not make any conveyance of land or renunciation of reversionary interests under this Act [amending section 869–2 of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 869 and 869–2 of this title] until he has published in the Federal Register regulations implementing this Act and until sixty days (not counting days on which the House of Representatives or the Senate has adjourned for more than three days) after these regulations have been submitted to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives. [Implementing regulations were published in the Federal Register July 23, 1992, 57 F.R. 32730.]

"(b) During the first three years after enactment of this Act [Nov. 10, 1988] the Secretary shall not make any conveyance of land or renunciation of reversionary interests under this Act until thirty days (not counting days on which the House of Representatives or the Senate has adjourned for more than three days) after notice of intention to do so has been submitted to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives."

§869–3. Authority for transfers; applicability of section 869–2 to prior patents; termination of restrictions

The Secretary may authorize transfers of title or changes in use in accordance with the provisions of section 869–2 of this title with respect to any patent heretofore issued under any Act upon application by a patentee qualified to obtain a conveyance under section 869–1(a) or 869–1(c) of this title. If the Secretary, pursuant to such an application, authorizes such transfer or use, all reverter provisions and other limitations on transfer or use, under sections 869 to 869–4 of this title or any other Act affecting the lands involved, shall cease to be in effect twenty-five years after the Secretary authorizes the transfer or use for a changed or additional purpose under the provisions of this section.

(June 14, 1926, ch. 578, §4, as added June 4, 1954, ch. 263, 68 Stat. 175.)

§869–4. Disposition of moneys received from or on account of revested Oregon and California Railroad grant lands or reconveyed Coos Bay Wagon Road grant lands

All moneys received from or on account of any revested Oregon and California Railroad grant lands or reconveyed Coos Bay Wagon Road grant lands under sections 869 to 869–4 of this title shall be deposited respectively in the Oregon and California land-grant fund and the Coos Bay Wagon Road grant fund, and shall be applied in the manner prescribed respectively by title II of the Act of August 28, 1937 (50 Stat. 875), as amended (43 U.S.C. 1181f),¹ and by subchapter II of chapter 44 of this title.

(June 14, 1926, ch. 578, §6, as added Pub. L. 86–66, §3, June 23, 1959, 73 Stat. 111.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Act of August 28, 1937, referred to in text, is act Aug. 28, 1937, ch. 876, 50 Stat. 874. Title II of the Act enacted section 2605 of this title (formerly classified to section 1181f of this title), repealed section 1174 of this title, and enacted provisions set out as a note under section 2601 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

¹ See References in Text note below.

§869a. Repealed. Pub. L. 86–66, §1, June 23, 1959, 73 Stat. 110

Section, act Apr. 13, 1928, ch. 370, §§1, 2, 45 Stat. 429, extended provisions of section 869 of this title to former Oregon and California Railroad grant lands revested in the United States and to former Coos Bay Wagon Road grant lands reconveyed to the United States.

§870. Grants of land in aid of common or public schools; extension to those mineral in character; effect of leases

Subject to the provisions of subsections (a), (b), and (c) of this section, the several grants to the States of numbered sections in place for the support or in aid of common or public schools be, and they are, extended to embrace numbered school sections mineral in character, unless land has been granted to and/or selected by and certified or approved, to any such State or States as indemnity or in lieu of any land so granted by numbered sections.

(a) The grant of numbered mineral sections under this section shall be of the same effect as prior grants for the numbered nonmineral sections, and titles to such numbered mineral sections shall vest in the States at the time and in the manner and be subject to all the rights of adverse parties recognized by existing law in the grants of numbered nonmineral sections.

(b) The additional grant made by this section is upon the express condition that all sales, grants, deeds, or patents for any of the lands so granted shall hereafter be subject to and contain a reservation to the State of all the coal and other minerals in the lands so sold, granted, deeded, or patented, together with the right to prospect for, mine, and remove the same. The coal and other mineral deposits in such lands not heretofore disposed of by the State shall be subject to lease by the State as the State legislature may direct, the proceeds and rentals and royalties therefrom to be utilized for the support or in aid of the common or public schools: Provided, That any lands or minerals hereafter disposed of contrary to the provisions of this section shall be forfeited to the United States by appropriate proceedings instituted by the Attorney General for that purpose in the United States district court for the district in which the property or some part thereof is located.

(c) Except as provided in subsection (d), any lands included within the limits of existing reservations of or by the United States, or specifically reserved for water-power purposes, or included in any pending suit or proceeding in the courts of the United States, or subject to or included in any valid application, claim, or right initiated or held under any of the existing laws of the United States, unless or until such reservation, application, claim, or right is extinguished, relinquished, or canceled, and all lands in the Territory of Alaska, are excluded from the provisions of this section.

(d)(1) Notwithstanding subsection (c), the fact that there is outstanding on any numbered school section, whether or not mineral in character, at the time of its survey a mineral lease or leases entered into by the United States, or an application therefor, shall not prevent the grant of such numbered school section to the State concerned as provided by this section and section 871 of this title.

(2) Any such numbered school section which has been surveyed prior to July 11, 1956, and which has not been granted to the State concerned solely by reason of the fact that there was outstanding on it at the time of the survey a mineral lease or leases entered into by the United States, or an application therefor, is hereby granted by the United States to such State under this section as if it had not been so leased; and the State shall succeed the position of the United States as lessor under such lease or leases.

(3) Any such numbered school section which is surveyed on or after July 11, 1956, and on which there is outstanding at the time of such survey a mineral lease or leases entered into by the United States, shall (unless excluded from the provisions of this section by subsection (c) for a reason other than the existence of an outstanding lease) be granted to the State concerned immediately upon completion of such survey; and the State shall succeed to the position of the United States as lessor under such lease or leases.

(4) The Secretary of the Interior shall, upon application by a State, issue patents to the State for the lands granted by this section and section 871 of this title, in accordance with section 871a ¹ of this title. Such patent shall, if the lease is then outstanding, include a statement that the State succeeded to the position of the United States as lessor at the time the title vested in the State.

(5) Where at the time rents, royalties, and bonuses accrue the lands or deposits covered by a single lease are owned in part by the State and in part by the United States, the rents, royalties, and bonuses shall be allocated between them in proportion to the acreage in said lease owned by each.

(6) As used in this subsection, "lease" includes "permit" and "lessor" includes "grantor".

(Jan. 25, 1927, ch. 57, §1, 44 Stat. 1026; May 2, 1932, ch. 151, §1, 47 Stat. 140; Apr. 22, 1954, ch. 169, 68 Stat. 57; July 11, 1956, ch. 572, 70 Stat. 529.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 871a of this title, referred to in subsec. (d)(4), was repealed by Pub. L. 94–579, title VII, §705(a), Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2792.

Amendments

1956—Subsec. (d). Act July 11, 1956, provided that numbered school sections under mineral leases may be granted to a State, whether or not the sections are mineral in character, and added subpar. (6).

1954—Subsec. (c). Act Apr. 22, 1954, §2, substituted "Except as provided in subsection (d), any" for "any".

Subsec. (d). Act Apr. 22, 1954, §1, added subsec. (d).

1932—Subsec. (b). Act May 2, 1932, inserted "hereafter" in two places and "not heretofore disposed of by the State" after "mineral deposits in such lands".

Subsec. (c). Act May 2, 1932, inserted "reservation" before "application".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1932 Amendment

Act May 2, 1932, ch. 151, §2, 47 Stat. 141, provided that: "This amendatory Act [amending this section] shall take effect as of January 25, 1927; and in any case in which a State has selected lieu lands since such date under the Act approved February 28, 1891 (26 Stat. 796) [sections 851 and 852 of this title], and still retains title thereto, such State may, within ninety days after the date of the enactment of this Act [May 2, 1932], relinquish to the United States all right, title, and interest in such lands and shall thereupon be entitled to all the benefits of the Act of January 25, 1927 [sections 870 and 871 of this title], as amended by this Act."

Executive Documents

Admission of Alaska as State

Admission of Alaska into the Union was accomplished Jan. 3, 1959, on issuance of Proc. No. 3269, Jan. 3, 1959, 24 F.R. 81, 73 Stat. c16, as required by sections 1 and 8(c) of Pub. L. 85–508, July 7, 1958, 72 Stat. 339, set out as notes preceding section 21 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.

¹ See References in Text note below.

§871. Certain grants and laws unaffected

Nothing contained in section 870 of this title is intended or shall be held or construed to increase, diminish, or affect the rights of States under grants other than for the support of common or public schools by numbered school sections in place, and said section shall not apply to indemnity or lieu selections or exchanges or the right after January 25, 1927, to select indemnity for numbered school sections in place lost to the State under the provisions of said section or any Acts, and all existing laws governing such grants and indemnity or lieu selections and exchanges are continued in full force and effect.

(Jan. 25, 1927, ch. 57, §2, 44 Stat. 1027.)

§871a. Repealed. Pub. L. 94–579, title VII, §705(a), Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2792

Section, act June 21, 1934, ch. 689, 48 Stat. 1185, authorized issuance of patents to numbered school sections granted for support of common schools.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of Repeal

Pub. L. 94–579, title VII, §705(a), Oct. 21, 1976, 90 Stat. 2792, provided that the repeal made by section 705(a) is effective on and after Oct. 21, 1976.

Savings Provision

Repeal by Pub. L. 94–579 not to be construed as terminating any valid lease, permit, patent, etc., existing on Oct. 21, 1976, see section 701 of Pub. L. 94–579, set out as a note under section 1701 of this title.

§872. Conveyances to United States in connection with applications for amendment of patented entries or for exchange of land, etc.; withdrawal or rejection of applications; reconveyances

Where a conveyance of land has been made or may hereafter be made to the United States in connection with an application for amendment of a patented entry or entries, or an exchange of lands, or for any other purpose, and the application in connection with which the conveyance was made is thereafter withdrawn or rejected, the Secretary of the Interior or such officer as he may designate is authorized and directed, if the deed of conveyance has been recorded, to execute a quitclaim deed of the conveyed land to the party or parties entitled thereto.

(Apr. 28, 1930, ch. 219, §6, 46 Stat. 257; 1946 Reorg. Plan No. 3, §403, eff. July 16, 1946, 11 F.R. 7876, 60 Stat. 1100.)

Statutory Notes and Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

Functions of Secretary of the Interior under this section, with respect to execution of quitclaim deeds for lands conveyed to United States in connection with exchange transactions involving lands under jurisdiction of Secretary of Agriculture, transferred to Secretary of Agriculture, see Pub. L. 86–509, June 11, 1960, 74 Stat. 205, set out as a note under section 2201 of Title 7, Agriculture.

For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1950, §§1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174, 64 Stat. 1262, set out under section 1451 of this title.

"Secretary of the Interior or such officer as he may designate" substituted for "Commissioner of the General Land Office" on authority of section 403 of Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1946. See note set out under section 1 of this title.

§873. Lands granted for erecting public buildings; purpose of grant

In any case in which public lands of the United States have been granted to a State, before May 16, 1958, for the purpose of erecting public buildings at the capital of such State for legislative, executive, and judicial purposes, the purpose of such grant shall be deemed to include construction, reconstruction, repair, renovation, and other permanent improvements of such public buildings, the acquisition of necessary land for such buildings, furnishings and equipment for such buildings, and the payment of principal and interest on bonds issued for any such purpose.

(Pub. L. 85–411, May 16, 1958, 72 Stat. 117.)