---
kind: "range"
citation: "16 U.S.C. §§ 479–482"
title: "16"
from: "479"
to: "482"
count: 5
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/479..482"
---

# §479. Sites for schools and churches


The settlers residing within the exterior boundaries of [national forests](/usc/16/5207.md?p=3), or in the vicinity thereof, may maintain schools and churches within such [national forest](/usc/16/5207.md?p=3), and for that purpose may occupy any part of the said [national forest](/usc/16/5207.md?p=3), not exceeding two acres for each schoolhouse and one acre for a church.


# §479a. Conveyance of National Forest System lands for educational purposes

- (a) **Authority to convey—** Upon written application, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of Agriculture may convey [National Forest System lands](/usc/16/6592c.md?p=a-5) to a public school district for use for educational purposes if the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) determines that—
  - (1) the public school district seeking the conveyance will use the conveyed land for a public or publicly funded elementary or secondary school, to provide grounds or facilities related to such a school, or for both purposes;
  - (2) the conveyance will serve the public interest;
  - (3) the land to be conveyed is not otherwise needed for the purposes of the [National Forest](/usc/16/5207.md?p=3) [System](/usc/16/668ee.md?p=14);
  - (4) the total acreage to be conveyed does not exceed the amount reasonably necessary for the proposed use;
  - (5) the land is to be used for an established or proposed [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4) that is described in detail in the application to the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1), and the conveyance would serve public objectives (either locally or at large) that outweigh the objectives and values which would be served by maintaining such land in Federal ownership;
  - (6) the applicant is financially and otherwise capable of implementing the proposed [project](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-4);
  - (7) the land to be conveyed has been identified for disposal in an applicable [land and resource management plan](/usc/16/6592c.md?p=a-4) under the Forest and Rangeland Renewable [Resources](/usc/16/410hhh–1.md?p=8) Planning Act of 1974 ([16 U.S.C. 1600](/usc/16/1600.md) et seq.); and
  - (8) an opportunity for public participation in a disposal under this section has been provided, including at least one public hearing or meeting, to provide for public comments.
- (b) **Acreage limitation—** A conveyance under this section may not exceed 80 acres. However, this limitation shall not be construed to preclude an entity from submitting a subsequent application under this section for an additional land conveyance if the entity can demonstrate to the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) a need for additional land.
- (c) **Costs and mineral rights—**
  - (1) A conveyance under this section shall be for a nominal cost. The conveyance may not include the transfer of mineral or water rights.
  - (2) If necessary, the exact acreage and legal description of the real property conveyed under this section shall be determined by a survey satisfactory to the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) and the applicant. The cost of the survey shall be borne by the applicant.
- (d) **Review of applications—** When the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) receives an application under this section, the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) shall—
  - (1) before the end of the 14-day period beginning on the date of the receipt of the application, provide notice of that receipt to the applicant; and
  - (2) before the end of the 120-day period beginning on that date—
    - (A) make a final determination whether or not to convey land pursuant to the application, and notify the applicant of that determination; or
    - (B) submit written notice to the applicant containing the reasons why a final determination has not been made.
- (e) **Reversionary interest—** If, at any time after lands are conveyed pursuant to this section, the entity to whom the lands were conveyed attempts to transfer title to or control over the lands to another or the lands are devoted to a use other than the use for which the lands were conveyed, title to the lands shall revert to the United States.

# §480. Civil and criminal jurisdiction


The jurisdiction, both civil and criminal, over [persons](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b) within [national forests](/usc/16/5207.md?p=3) shall not be affected or changed by reason of their existence, except so far as the punishment of offenses against the United States therein is concerned; the intent and meaning of this provision being that the [State](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) wherein any such [national forest](/usc/16/5207.md?p=3) is situated shall not, by reason of the establishment thereof, lose its jurisdiction, nor the inhabitants thereof their rights and privileges as citizens, or be absolved from their duties as citizens of the [State](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2).


# §481. Use of waters


All waters within the boundaries of [national forests](/usc/16/5207.md?p=3) may be used for domestic, mining, milling, or irrigation purposes, under the laws of the [State](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) wherein such [national forests](/usc/16/5207.md?p=3) are situated, or under the laws of the United States and the rules and regulations established thereunder.


# §482. Mineral lands; restoration to public domain; location and entry


Upon the recommendation of the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior, with the approval of the President, after sixty days’ notice thereof, published in two papers of general circulation in the [State](/usc/16/6456.md?p=2) or Territory wherein any [national forest](/usc/16/5207.md?p=3) is situated, and near the said [national forest](/usc/16/5207.md?p=3), any [public lands](/usc/16/620e.md?p=7) embraced within the limits of any such forest which, after due examination by personal inspection of a competent [person](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b) appointed for that purpose by the [Secretary](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-1) of the Interior, shall be found better adapted for mining or for agricultural purposes than for forest usage, may be restored to the public domain. And any mineral lands in any [national forest](/usc/16/5207.md?p=3) which have been or which may be shown to be such, and subject to entry under the existing mining laws of the United States and the rules and regulations applying thereto, shall continue to be subject to such location and entry, notwithstanding any provisions contained in sections [473 to 478](/usc/16/473..478.md), [479 to 482](/usc/16/479..482.md) and [551](/usc/16/551.md) of this title.