public lands
Defined in 6 dictionaries — Case Law, U.S. Code, Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910)
Definitions from Case Law
From 296 U.S. 10 - Borax Consolidated, Ltd. v. Los Angeles · 1935Most cited · 414 citing opinions
The words 'public lands' are habitually used in our legislation to describe such as are subject to sale or other disposal under general laws.
United States Code
16 U.S.C. § 1332 — as used in this chapter (2 versions over time)
"public lands" means any lands administered by the Secretary of the Interior through the Bureau of Land Management or by the Secretary of Agriculture through the Forest Service.2
16 U.S.C. § 1722 — for purposes of this subchapter
The term “public lands” means any lands or waters (or interest therein) owned or administered by the United States, except that such term does not include any Indian lands.
16 U.S.C. § 3102 — in this section
The term “public lands” means land situated in Alaska which, after December 2, 1980, are Federal lands, except—
(A) land selections of the State of Alaska which have been tentatively approved or validly selected under the Alaska Statehood Act and lands which have been confirmed to, validly selected by, or granted to the Territory of Alaska or the State under any other provision of Federal law;
(B) land selections of a Native Corporation made under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act [43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.] which have not been conveyed to a Native Corporation, unless any such selection is determined to be invalid or is relinquished; and
(C) lands referred to in section 19(b) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act [43 U.S.C. 1618(b)].
16 U.S.C. § 460CCC — for the purposes of this subchapter
“public lands” has the meaning stated in section 1702(e) of title 43; and
16 U.S.C. § 460OOO — for the purposes of this subchapter (4 versions over time)
The term “public lands” has the meaning given the term in section 1702(e) of title 43, except that such term shall not include interest in lands not owned by the United States.
16 U.S.C. § 460PPP — as used in this subchapter
The term “public lands” has the meaning stated in section 1702(e) of title 43.
16 U.S.C. § 470BB — as used in this chapter
The term “public lands” means—
(A) lands which are owned and administered by the United States as part of—
(i) the national park system,
(ii) the national wildlife refuge system, or
(iii) the national forest system; and
(B) all other lands the fee title to which is held by the United States, other than lands on the Outer Continental Shelf and lands which are under the jurisdiction of the Smithsonian Institution.
16 U.S.C. § 620E — in this section (2 versions over time)
The term “public lands” means lands west of the 100th meridian in the contiguous 48 States, that are held or owned by a State or political subdivision thereof, or any other public agency. Such term does not include any lands the title to which is—
(A) held by the United States;
(B) held in trust by the United States for the benefit of any Indian tribe or individual,
(C) held by any Indian tribe or individual subject to a restriction by the United States against alienation, or
(D) held by any Native Corporation as defined in section 1602 of title 43.
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
In its most general sense, all lands owned by the government. In the more limited sense in which it is ordinarily used, it signifies such lands as are subject to sale or other disposition by the government under general laws. 92 U. S. 761; 98 U. S. 118.
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
Such lands as are subject to sale or other disposition by the United States, under general laws. Newhall v. Sanger, 92 U. S. 761, 23 L. Ed. 769; Bardon v. R. Co., 145 U. S. 535, 12 Sup. Ct. 850, 30 L. Ed. 806. See Lands, Public.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
The general public domain; unappropriated lands; lands belonging to the United States and which are subject to sale or other disposal under general laws, and not reserved or held back for any special governmental or public purpose. Newhali v. Sanger, 92 U. S. 763. 23 In Ed. 769 ; U. S. v. Garretson (C. C ) 42 Fed. 24; Northern Pac. It, Co., v. Hinchman (C. C.) 53 Fed. 526; State v. Telegraph Co, 52 La. Ann 1411, 27 South. 796
Defined under Land in Black's Law Dictionary.