### §351. Definitions

As used in this chapter "United States" includes Alaska. "Acquired lands" or "lands acquired by the United States" include all lands heretofore or hereafter acquired by the United States to which the "mineral leasing laws" have not been extended, including such lands acquired under the provisions of the Act of March 1, 1911 (36 Stat. 961, 16 U.S.C., sec. 552). "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior, "Mineral leasing laws" shall mean the Act of October 20, 1914 (38 Stat. 741, 48 U.S.C., sec. 432); the Act of February 25, 1920 (41 Stat. 437, 30 U.S.C., sec. 181); the Act of April 17, 1926 (44 Stat. 301, 30 U.S.C., sec. 271); the Act of February 7, 1927 (44 Stat. 1057, 30 U.S.C., sec. 281), and all Acts heretofore or hereafter enacted which are amendatory of or supplementary to any of the foregoing Acts. "Lease" includes "prospecting permit" unless the context otherwise requires. The term "oil" shall embrace all nongaseous hydrocarbon substances other than those leasable as coal, oil shale, or gilsonite (including all vein-type solid hydrocarbons).

(Aug. 7, 1947, ch. 513, §2, 61 Stat. 913; Pub. L. 97–78, §1(9)(a), Nov. 16, 1981, 95 Stat. 1072.)

#### **Editorial Notes**

#### References in Text

Act of March 1, 1911, referred to in text, is act Mar. 1, 1911, ch. 186, 36 Stat. 961, popularly known as the Weeks Law, which enacted former sections 513 and 514 and sections 515 to 519, 521, 552, and 563 of Title 16, Conservation, and amended sections 480 and 500 of Title 16. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 552 of Title 16 and Tables.

Act of October 20, 1914, referred to in text, is act Oct. 20, 1914, ch. 330, 38 Stat. 741, known as the Alaska Coal Lands Act, which was repealed by Pub. L. 86–252, §1, Sept. 9, 1959, 73 Stat. 490. The subject matter of this Act is generally covered by subchapters I to VII (§181 et seq.) of chapter 3A of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code prior to repeal, see Tables.

Act of February 25, 1920, referred to in text, is act Feb. 25, 1920, ch. 85, 41 Stat. 437, known as the Mineral Leasing Act, which is classified generally to chapter 3A (§181 et seq.) of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 181 of this title and Tables.

Act of April 17, 1926, referred to in text, is act Apr. 17, 1926, ch. 158, 44 Stat. 301, which is classified generally to subchapter VIII (§271 et seq.) of chapter 3A of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

Act of February 7, 1927, referred to in text, is act Feb. 7, 1927, ch. 66, 44 Stat. 1057, which enacted subchapter IX (§281 et seq.) of chapter 3A of this title, amended sections 181 and 193 of this title, and repealed subchapter VII (§141 et seq.) of chapter 3 of this title. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.

#### Amendments

1981—Pub. L. 97–78 inserted definition of "oil".

#### **Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries**

#### Short Title

Act Aug. 7, 1947, ch. 513, §1, 61 Stat. 913, provided: "That this Act [enacting this chapter] may be cited as the 'Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands'."

#### Outer Continental Shelf Lands; Definition

Definition of "outer Continental Shelf" with respect to jurisdiction of United States, and mineral leases on submerged lands of such shelf, see section 1331 et seq. of Title 43, Public Lands.

#### **Executive Documents**

#### Admission of Alaska as State

Admission of Alaska into the Union was accomplished Jan. 3, 1959, on issuance of Proc. No. 3269, Jan. 3, 1959, 24 F.R. 81, 73 Stat. c16, as required by sections 1 and 8(c) of Pub. L. 85–508, July 7, 1958, 72 Stat. 339, set out as notes preceding section 21 of Title 48, Territories and Insular Possessions.