Us Code § 71 - Entry of unappropriated or unreserved Federal coal lands; eligibility; application; acreage limitation; price per acre

Full text of Us Code United States Code § 71 — Entry of unappropriated or unreserved Federal coal lands; eligibility; application; acreage limitation; price per acre, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ 71. Entry of unappropriated or unreserved Federal coal lands; eligibility; application; acreage limitation; price per acre

Every person above the age of twenty-one years, who is a citizen of the United States, or who has declared his intention to become such, or any association of persons severally qualified as above, shall, upon application to the register of the proper land office, have the right to enter, by legal subdivisions, any quantity of vacant coal lands of the United States not otherwise appropriated or reserved by competent authority, not exceeding one hundred and sixty acres to such individual person, or three hundred and twenty acres to such association, upon payment to the register of not less than $10 per acre for such lands, where the same shall be situated more than fifteen miles from any completed railroad, and not less than $20 per acre for such lands as shall be within fifteen miles of such road.

(R.S. §2347; Mar. 3, 1925, ch. 462, 43 Stat. 1145.)


Editorial Notes

Codification

R.S. §2347 derived from act Mar. 3, 1873, ch. 279, §1, 17 Stat. 607.

Amendments

1925—Act Mar. 3, 1925, affected words which now read "upon payment to the register of not less than." Such words originally read "upon payment to the receiver of not less than." Such act consolidated the offices of receiver and register.


Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

Office of register of district land office abolished and all functions of register transferred to Secretary of the Interior, or to officers and agencies of Department of the Interior as Secretary may designate, by Reorg. Plan No. 3 of 1946, §403, eff. July 16, 1946, 11 F.R. 7876, 60 Stat. 1100, set out in the Appendix to Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

See also note set out under section 1 of this title.

Indian Lands Excepted

Commenting on this section and sections 72 to 76 of this title the Department of the Interior says:

"While there may be some Indian lands still subject to coal entry by virtue of the provisions of law opening such lands to entry, the coal land laws generally were superseded by the leasing Act of Feb. 25, 1920, 41 Stat. 437 [section 181 et seq. of this title], and it is at least questionable whether the coal land laws should be carried into the Code."

About This Section

30 U.S.C. § 71 is part of Title 30 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 30 U.S.C. § 71. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.

Using This Page

This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.

Sources

Source: official Us Code text · Last verified 2026-08-27

Frequently Asked Questions About Us Code § 71

What does United States Code § 71 cover?

Section 71 ("Entry of unappropriated or unreserved Federal coal lands; eligibility; application; acreage limitation; price per acre") is part of the United States Code, the codified statutory law of Us Code. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Us Code § 71?

A common citation format is "United States Code § 71" (Us Code). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Us Code law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Us Code official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Us Code attorney.

How does Us Code § 71 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Us Code can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Us Code.