PROVISIONS FROM THE ACT OF MARCH 4, 1917 1 (WEEKS ACT MINERALS) CHAP. 179.—An Act Making appropriations for the Department of Agriculture for The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized, under general regulations to be prescribed by him, to permit the prospecting, development, and utilization of the mineral resources of the lands acquired under the Act of March first, nineteen hundred and eleven (Thirtysixth Statues, page nine hundred and sixty-one), known as the Weeks law, upon such terms and for specified periods or otherwise, as he may deem to be for the best interests of the United States; and all moneys received on account of charges, if any, made under this Act shall be disposed of as is provided by existing law for the disposition of receipts from national forests. 1 The Act of March 4, 1917, consists of chapter 179, 39 Stat. 1134 and following. Provisions relating to Weeks Act Minerals appear at 39 Stat. 1150. (16 U.S.C. 520). Section 402 of Reorganization Plan No. 3, of July 16, 1946 (60 Stat. 1097, 1099; 5 U.S.C. Appendix) provided the following: * The functions of the Secretary of Agriculture and the Department of Agriculture with respect to the uses of mineral deposits in certain lands pursuant to the provisions of the Act of March 4, 1917, (39 Stat. 1134, 1150; 16 U.S.C. 520) are hereby transferred to the Secretary of the Interior and shall be performed by him or, subject to his direction and control, by such officers and agencies of the Department of the Interior as he may designate: Provided, That mineral development on such lands shall be authorized by the Secretary of the Interior only when he is advised by the Secretary of Agriculture that such development will not interfere with the primary purposes for which the land was acquired and only in accordance with such conditions as may be specified by the Secretary of Agriculture in order to protect such purposes. The provisions of law governing the crediting and distribution of revenues derived from the said land shall be applicable to revenues derived in connection with the functions transferred by this section. To the extent necessary in connection with the performance of the functions transferred by this section, the Secretary of the Interior and his representatives shall have access to the title records of the Department of Agriculture relating to the lands affected by this section. Functions relating to common varieties of mineral materials in acquired and certain other lands were transferred back to the Secretary of Agriculture by Sec. 1(1) of Act of June 11, 1960 (74 Stat. 205; 7 U.S.C. 220 (note).) |