---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 4302"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "4302"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/4302"
units:
  - "Chapter 63 — Federal Cave Resources Protection"
---

# §4302. Definitions


For purposes of this chapter:

- (1) **Cave—** The term “cave” means any naturally occurring void, cavity, recess, or system of interconnected passages which occurs beneath the surface of the earth or within a cliff or ledge (including any [cave resource](#5) therein, but not including any vug, mine, tunnel, aqueduct, or other manmade excavation) and which is large enough to permit an individual to enter, whether or not the entrance is naturally formed or manmade. Such term shall include any natural pit, sinkhole, or other feature which is an extension of the entrance.
- (2) **Federal lands—** The term “Federal lands” means lands the fee title to which is owned by the United States and administered by the [Secretary](#6) of Agriculture or the [Secretary](#6) of the Interior.
- (3) **Indian lands—** The term “Indian lands” means lands of [Indian tribes](/usc/16/544.md?p=g) or Indian individuals which are either held in [trust](/usc/16/450ss–1.md?p=4) by the United States for the benefit of an [Indian tribe](#4) or subject to a restriction against alienation imposed by the United States.
- (4) **Indian tribe—** The term “Indian tribe” means any Indian tribe, band, nation, or other organized group or community of Indians, including any [Alaska Native](/usc/16/3102.md?p=16) village or regional or [village corporation](/usc/16/3102.md?p=8) as defined in, or established pursuant to, the [Alaska Native](/usc/16/3102.md?p=16) Claims settlement[^1] Act ([43 U.S.C. 1601](/usc/43/1601.md) et seq.).
- (5) **Cave resource—** The term “cave resource” includes any material or substance occurring naturally in [caves](#1) on [Federal lands](#2), such as animal life, plant life, paleontological deposits, sediments, minerals, [speleogens](#8), and [speleothems](#7).
- (6) **Secretary—** The term “Secretary” means the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior, as appropriate.
- (7) **Speleothem—** The term “speleothem” means any natural mineral formation or deposit occurring in a [cave](#1) or lava tube, including but not limited to any stalactite, stalagmite, helictite, [cave](#1) flower, flowstone, concretion, drapery, rimstone, or formation of clay or mud.
- (8) **Speleogen—** The term “speleogen” means relief features on the walls, ceiling, and floor of any [cave](#1) or lava tube which are part of the surrounding bedrock, including but not limited to anastomoses, scallops, meander niches, petromorphs and rock pendants in solution [caves](#1) and similar features unique to volcanic [caves](#1).

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original. Probably should be capitalized.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 100–691, § 3, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4546.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, referred to in par. (4), is Pub. L. 92–203, Dec. 18, 1971, 85 Stat. 688, which is classified generally to chapter 33 (§ 1601 et seq.) of Title 43, Public Lands. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1601 of Title 43 and Tables.