EagleDown
Bronze Member
- May 13, 2010
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Well, according to the 1872 Mining law. The Gov. only holds the land "in trust". BUT, it is held in trust for the citizens of the U.S. So, once you file on the land as a mining claim, the land is yours for as long as you remain and mine it. And, as the owner of that land, this includes all surface rights within the boundries of your claim. e.g.:
USC 30 § 26. Locators’ rights of possession and enjoyment
The locators of all mining locations made on any mineral vein, lode, or ledge, situated on the public domain, their heirs and assigns, where no adverse claim existed on the 10th day of May 1872 so long as they comply with the laws of the United States, and with State, territorial, and local regulations not in conflict with the laws of the United States governing their possessory title, shall have the exclusive right of possession and enjoyment of all the surface included within the lines of their locations,
-R.S. § 2322 derived from act May 10, 1872, ch. 152, § 3, 17 Stat. 91.
Of course, it goes much further than this. I could go through it and pick out the parts that might apply to this moratorium if you want. But what I'm thinking is, public land is held in trust for the people by the Federal Gov. NOT THE STATES!! So, if the BLM comes to your claim and tells you that you can not build a structure to protect your rights and equipment, they would be in direct conflict with the trust imposed on them by the 1872 mining laws. If you read the above exerpt, you see you have to comply with the laws of the United States, and with State, territorial, and local regulations not in conflict with the laws of the United States governing their possessory title. Now, I am not a lawyer, but it seems to me that by interpretation, this moratorium is in conflict with the laws of the United States governing your possessory title. Also keep in mind; by definition, a regulation is not a law.
Anyway, I'll go through it and dig out some more of the most salient points for you to read.
Eagle
USC 30 § 26. Locators’ rights of possession and enjoyment
The locators of all mining locations made on any mineral vein, lode, or ledge, situated on the public domain, their heirs and assigns, where no adverse claim existed on the 10th day of May 1872 so long as they comply with the laws of the United States, and with State, territorial, and local regulations not in conflict with the laws of the United States governing their possessory title, shall have the exclusive right of possession and enjoyment of all the surface included within the lines of their locations,
-R.S. § 2322 derived from act May 10, 1872, ch. 152, § 3, 17 Stat. 91.
Of course, it goes much further than this. I could go through it and pick out the parts that might apply to this moratorium if you want. But what I'm thinking is, public land is held in trust for the people by the Federal Gov. NOT THE STATES!! So, if the BLM comes to your claim and tells you that you can not build a structure to protect your rights and equipment, they would be in direct conflict with the trust imposed on them by the 1872 mining laws. If you read the above exerpt, you see you have to comply with the laws of the United States, and with State, territorial, and local regulations not in conflict with the laws of the United States governing their possessory title. Now, I am not a lawyer, but it seems to me that by interpretation, this moratorium is in conflict with the laws of the United States governing your possessory title. Also keep in mind; by definition, a regulation is not a law.
Anyway, I'll go through it and dig out some more of the most salient points for you to read.
Eagle