Form 1221-2

(June 1969)

UNITED STATES

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

MANUAL TRANSMITTAL SHEET

Release

3-354

Date

10/15/15

Subject

H – 3830-1 Administration of Mining Claims, Mill Sites, and Tunnel Sites (Public)

1. Explanation of Materials Transmitted: This release transmits the Handbook for the 

Administration of Mining Claims.

2. Reports Required: None.

3. Materials Superseded: There are no previous handbook pages as this is the first release. 

Manual pages superseded by this release are listed under “REMOVE” below. No other 

directives are superseded.

4. Filing Instructions: File as directed below

 REMOVE INSERT

 

 None H-3830-1

 

 (Total: 338 Sheets) 

 Michael Nedd

 Assistant Director, Energy, Minerals and 

Realty Management

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CHAPTER I - GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF MINING LAW ADMINISTRATION...............I-1

A. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................ I-1

B. LEGAL AUTHORITIES ............................................................................................................... I-1

C. LANDS AFFECTED.................................................................................................................... I-3

D. PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT ........................................................................................................ I-3

E. FILES AND RECORDATION........................................................................................................ I-3

F. OTHER REGULATIONS.............................................................................................................. I-5

CHAPTER II – MINERALS SUBJECT TO LOCATION AND GENERAL LOCATION 

PROCEDURES............................................................................................................................... II-1

A. GENERAL................................................................................................................................II-1

B. LOCATION REQUIREMENTS .....................................................................................................II-1

C. DESCRIPTION REQUIREMENTS.................................................................................................II-2

D. CONTENTS OF THE NOTICE/CERTIFICATE OF LOCATION. THE NOTICE/CERTIFICATE OF LOCATION 

MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION (43 CFR 3832.12): ........................................II-9

CHAPTER III – RECORDATION OF MINING CLAIMS AND SITES................................III-1

A. WHO MAY LOCATE A MINING CLAIM, MILL OR TUNNEL SITE...............................................III-1

B. ADJUDICATING CITIZENSHIP ..................................................................................................III-1

C. WHERE TO RECORD MINING CLAIM DOCUMENTS..................................................................III-2

D. REQUIRED FEES .....................................................................................................................III-3

E. NEW NOTICE/CERTIFICATE OF LOCATION ADJUDICATING .....................................................III-9

F. MAINTENANCE FEES............................................................................................................III-15

G. WAIVERS FROM ANNUAL MAINTENANCE FEE PAYMENTS (WAIVER)...................................III-19

H. ADJUDICATION OF ANNUAL FLPMA DOCUMENTS ..............................................................III-28

I. ADJUDICATION OF RELOCATIONS AND AMENDMENTS .........................................................III-36

J. ADJUDICATION OF TRANSFERS OF INTEREST TO A MINING CLAIM/SITE ...............................III-39

K. ADJUDICATION OF RELINQUISHMENTS AND/OR ABANDONMENTS ........................................III-44

L. ADJUDICATION OF ADDRESS CHANGES OR NAME CHANGES ................................................III-45

CHAPTER IV – SPECIAL PROCEDURES...............................................................................IV-1

A. STOCK RAISING HOMESTEAD ACT LANDS ADJUDICATION.................................................... IV-1

B. CLAIMS LOCATED IN A POWERSITE WITHDRAWAL ............................................................. IV-10

C. CONVERSION OF OIL PLACER MINING CLAIMS TO OIL AND GAS LEASES............................ IV-18

D. MINERAL LOCATIONS IN RECLAMATION WITHDRAWALS.................................................... IV-18

E. DEFERMENTS OF ASSESSMENT WORK................................................................................. IV-19

F. SUBDIVISION OF A MINING CLAIM (SEGREGATED OR SEVERED) ......................................... IV-24

G. CONDITIONS FOR ACQUIRING A DELINQUENT CO-CLAIMANT’S INTEREST........................... IV-28

H. ADVERSE PROCEEDINGS ..................................................................................................... IV-32

CHAPTER V - DEFECTIVE DOCUMENTS...............................................................................V-1

A. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS...........................................................................V-1

CHAPTER VI – CASE MANAGEMENT................................................................................... VI-1

A. DOCUMENT PROCESSING ...................................................................................................... VI-1

B. FILE MAINTENANCE ............................................................................................................. VI-4

C. CASE DISPOSITION................................................................................................................ VI-6
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D. ABBREVIATIONS AND ADDRESS STANDARDS ........................................................................ VI-6

CHAPTER VII – ILLUSTRATIONS .........................................................................................VII-1

ILLUSTRATION 1 – TELEPHONE OR VISIT CONVERSATION LOG ...............................................VII-2

ILLUSTRATION 2 – ADDRESS CLARIFICATION AND POWER OF ATTORNEY...............................VII-3

ILLUSTRATION 3 (SAMPLE 1 MT) – CHECK OR WORK SHEET..................................................VII-5

ILLUSTRATION 4 (SAMPLE 2 UT) – CHECK OR WORK SHEET ..................................................VII-7

ILLUSTRATION 5 – OVER 90 DAYS DECISION ..........................................................................VII-8

ILLUSTRATION 6 – STANDARD RECLAMATION PARAGRAPH ....................................................VII-9

ILLUSTRATION 7 – STANDARD APPEAL WITH STAY INFORMATION PARAGRAPHS..................VII-10

ILLUSTRATION 8 – DEFICIENCY NOTICE................................................................................VII-11

ILLUSTRATION 9 – NONCOMPLIANCE DECISION ....................................................................VII-12

ILLUSTRATION 10 – LEGAL DESCRIPTION/MAP ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT NOTICE ...........VII-14

ILLUSTRATION 11 – NONCOMPLIANCE DECISION ..................................................................VII-15

ILLUSTRATION 12 – NULL AND VOID DECISION ....................................................................VII-16

ILLUSTRATION 13 – NULL AND VOID IN PART DECISION.......................................................VII-18

ILLUSTRATION 14 – LATE FILED MAINTENANCE FEE DECISION............................................VII-19

ILLUSTRATION 15 – REFUND AND/OR RETURN OF DOCUMENT LETTER .................................VII-21

ILLUSTRATION 16 – REQUEST FOR MAINTENANCE FEE PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 1....................VII-22

ILLUSTRATION 17 – FAILURE TO FILE FORFEITURE DECISION ...............................................VII-23

ILLUSTRATION 18 – CURABLE DEFECT - NOTICE OF INTENT TO HOLD NOTICE .....................VII-24

ILLUSTRATION 19 – LATE FILED MAINTENANCE FEE WAIVER DECISION..............................VII-26

ILLUSTRATION 20 – WAIVER ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT NOTICE .......................................VII-27

ILLUSTRATION 21 – NONCOMPLIANCE DECISION ..................................................................VII-28

ILLUSTRATION 22 – CLAIM NOT RECORDED WITH BLM OR CASE CLOSED AND NO RELOCATION 

LETTER..............................................................................................................................VII-29

ILLUSTRATION 23 – OVER 10 CLAIMS DECISION...................................................................VII-30

ILLUSTRATION 24 – LATE FILED FLPMA DOCUMENT DECISION ..........................................VII-32

ILLUSTRATION 25 – REQUESTING PROCESSING FEE NOTICE..................................................VII-33

ILLUSTRATION 26 – PROOF OF LABOR ABANDONED AND VOID DECISION.............................VII-34

ILLUSTRATION 27 – AMENDMENT REJECTION DECISION.......................................................VII-36

ILLUSTRATION 28 – AMENDED NOTICE OF LOCATION REJECTED - ONLY PARTIAL PROCESSING FEE 

RECEIVED..........................................................................................................................VII-38

ILLUSTRATION 29 – TRANSFER OF INTEREST REJECTION DECISION – NO PROCESSING FEES .VII-39

ILLUSTRATION 30 – TRANSFER OF INTEREST ACCEPTED/TRANSFER OF INTEREST REJECTIONVII-40

ILLUSTRATION 31 – RELINQUISHMENT ACCEPTED NOTICE ...................................................VII-42

ILLUSTRATION 32 – ONE CLAIMANT RELINQUISHMENT ACCEPTANCE ..................................VII-43

ILLUSTRATION 33 – CURRENT ADDRESS REQUEST................................................................VII-44

ILLUSTRATION 34 – FORM 3830-3 NOTICE OF INTENT TO LOCATE........................................VII-45

ILLUSTRATION 35 – NOITL REJECTION (FILED TOO EARLY)................................................VII-47

ILLUSTRATION 35A – NOITL – ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUIRED - AFFILIATES...........VII-48

ILLUSTRATION 36 – NOITL ACCEPTANCE FORM LETTER.....................................................VII-49

ILLUSTRATION 37 – NOITL REJECTED PRIOR TO 90-DAY SEGREGATION PERIOD .................VII-50

ILLUSTRATION 38 – NOITL REGULATORY INFORMATION REQUEST.....................................VII-51

ILLUSTRATION 39 – NOITL REJECTED STATUTORY REGULATORY INFORMATION NOT RECEIVED

..........................................................................................................................................VII-53

ILLUSTRATION 40 – NOITL SERIAL REGISTER PAGE ............................................................VII-54
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ILLUSTRATION 41 – NOITL POSTING NOTICE.......................................................................VII-55

ILLUSTRATION 42 – NOITL NULL AND VOID DECISION. CLAIM NOT COVERED BY NOITL.VII-56

ILLUSTRATION 43 – STANDARD EXTRALATERAL RIGHTS PARAGRAPH..................................VII-57

ILLUSTRATION 44 – SURFACE OWNERSHIP ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT NOTICE ..................VII-58

ILLUSTRATION 45 – SURFACE OWNER REJECTION DECISION ................................................VII-59

ILLUSTRATION 46 – PLACER CLAIM IN A POWER SITE CLASSIFICATION ................................VII-61

ILLUSTRATION 47 – LODE CLAIM, MILL SITE OR TUNNEL SITE IN A POWER SITE .................VII-62

ILLUSTRATION 48(A) – FERC REQUEST LETTER – NOTE: SEND AN ORIGINAL WITH SEVEN 

COPIES. ..............................................................................................................................VII-63

ILLUSTRATION 48(B) – REPORT REQUEST NOTICE – NOTE: CAN BE USED FOR FERC, USFS,

AND/OR BLM ....................................................................................................................VII-64

ILLUSTRATION 48(C) – OTHER AGENCY PL359 NOTIFICATION.............................................VII-65

ILLUSTRATION 48(D) – FERC ELECTRONIC FILING INSTRUCTIONS .......................................VII-66

ILLUSTRATION 49 – SURFACE MANAGEMENT AGENCY NOTIFICATION LETTER ....................VII-69

ILLUSTRATION 50 – CONTEST TRANSMITTAL FORM 1850-1..................................................VII-70

ILLUSTRATION 51 – HEARING REQUIRED NOTICE .................................................................VII-72

ILLUSTRATION 52 – CERTIFICATE OF POSTING ......................................................................VII-74

ILLUSTRATION 53- MOTION TO DISMISS ...............................................................................VII-75

ILLUSTRATION 54 – CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE ......................................................................VII-77

ILLUSTRATION 55 – DEFERMENT GRANTED DECISION ..........................................................VII-78

ILLUSTRATION 56 – DEFERMENT DENIED DECISION .............................................................VII-80

ILLUSTRATION 57 – QCD FOR SEVERED CLAIM REJECTION NOTICE (NO FEES)....................VII-82

ILLUSTRATION 58 – QCD FOR SEVERED CLAIM REJECTION DECISION (LEGAL DESCRIPTION 

DISCREPANCY) ..................................................................................................................VII-83

ILLUSTRATION 59- SAMPLE PUBLICATION NOTICE................................................................VII-85

ILLUSTRATION 60 – NOTICE OF FORFEITURE ACQUIRING A DELINQUENT CO-CLAIMANT’S 

INTEREST IN A MINING CLAIM REJECTION NOTICE ............................................................VII-86

ILLUSTRATION 61 – DELINQUENT CO-OWNER ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT NOTICE.............VII-87

ILLUSTRATION 62 – NONCOMPLIANCE DECISION ..................................................................VII-88

ILLUSTRATION 63 – FORFEITURE OF CO-OWNER’S RIGHTS DECISION...................................VII-89

ILLUSTRATION 64 – DELINQUENT CO-OWNER REQUIREMENT LETTER .................................VII-90

ILLUSTRATION 65 – PROCESSING FEE NOTICE.......................................................................VII-91

ILLUSTRATION 66 – ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT NOTICE .....................................................VII-92

ILLUSTRATION 67 – LATE FILED REJECTION DECISION .........................................................VII-94

ILLUSTRATION 68 – FORM 1842 -1 APPEAL INFORMATION FORM .........................................VII-96

ILLUSTRATION 69 – STAY FORM 4.20 AND 4.21 ....................................................................VII-98

ILLUSTRATION 70 – NULL AND VOID IN PART DECISION.......................................................VII-99

ILLUSTRATION 71 – NOTICE TO LODE CLAIMANT – PORTION OF CLAIM MAY BE NULL & VOIDVII102

ILLUSTRATION 72 –FORFEITURE DECISION – NO FEE RECEIVED.........................................VII-103

ILLUSTRATION 73 – ABANDONED AND VOID DECISION – NO ASSESSMENT WORK FILED ...VII-104

ILLUSTRATION 74 – NOTICE OF INTENT TO HOLD NOTICE REQUIRED..................................VII-106

ILLUSTRATION 75 – DECISION VACATED IN PART...............................................................VII-107

ILLUSTRATION 76 – DECISION VACATED ............................................................................VII-108

ILLUSTRATION 77 – APPEAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT LETTER................................................VII-109

ILLUSTRATION 78A – APPEAL TRANSMITTAL MEMORANDUM (WITHOUT THE FORM)..........VII-110

ILLUSTRATION 78B – APPEAL TRANSMITTAL MEMORANDUM BLANK FORM.......................VII-111
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ILLUSTRATION 78C – APPEAL TRANSMITTAL MEMORANDUM – COMPLETED ......................VII-112

ILLUSTRATION 79 – STANDARD RELOCATION NOTIFICATION PARAGRAPH .........................VII-113

ILLUSTRATION 80 – REQUIREMENTS FOR TRANSFERRING ASSOCIATION PLACER MINING CLAIMS

........................................................................................................................................VII-114

ILLUSTRATION 81 – ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF DISCOVERY DOCUMENTATION SUBMITTED IN 

RESPONSE TO A NOTICE TO REDUCE ACREAGE ................................................................VII-116

ILLUSTRATION 82 – 30-DAY NOTICE TO CURE AN INSUFFICIENT PAYMENT........................VII-117

CHAPTER VIII – REFERENCE MATERIAL.......................................................................VIII-1

A. LR2000 DATA ELEMENT DICTIONARY ...............................................................................VIII-1

B. ALASKA LAND INFORMATION SYSTEM (ALIS)/ALASKA CASE RETRIEVAL ENTERPRISE SYSTEM 

(ACRES) DATA ELEMENT DICTIONARY...........................................................................VIII-17

C. ALIS/ACRES CUSTOMER PROCESSING PROCEDURES......................................................VIII-25

D. LR2000 CUSTOMER PROCESSING PROCEDURES................................................................VIII-31

E. STOCK RAISING HOMESTEAD ACT OF 1916 ......................................................................VIII-40

F. 43 US CODE SEC. 299. RESERVATION OF COAL AND MINERAL RIGHTS............................VIII-45

G. 43 CFR 3814....................................................................................................................VIII-55

H. PUBLIC LAW 103-23 STOCK RAISING HOMESTEAD ACT AMENDMENT APRIL 16, 1993 ....VIII-58

I. CASE RECORDATION DATA STANDARDS FOR CONTESTS– IM 91-375...............................VIII-65

J. BLM PAYMENT PORTAL INTERNAL USER GUIDE .............................................................VIII-66

K. IBLA DECISION INDEX .....................................................................................................VIII-75

AMENDMENTS.............................................................................................................................VIII-75

ANNUAL FLPMA FILINGS ...........................................................................................................VIII-76

DECISIONS..................................................................................................................................VIII-77

DEFINITIONS ..............................................................................................................................VIII-79

DISCOVERY.................................................................................................................................VIII-80

DUMMY LOCATOR.......................................................................................................................VIII-80

MAINTENANCE FEES ...................................................................................................................VIII-81

NEW LOCATION ..........................................................................................................................VIII-81

NEW LOCATION – LAND STATUS ..................................................................................................VIII-85

PAYMENTS ..................................................................................................................................VIII-86

POSTMARK RULE ........................................................................................................................VIII-86

RECORDS NOTATION ...................................................................................................................VIII-87

STOCK RAISING HOMESTEAD ACT................................................................................................VIII-88

TRANSFERS .................................................................................................................................VIII-89

WAIVERS ....................................................................................................................................VIII-89
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Chapter I - General Principles Of Mining Law Administration

A. Introduction

In order for the Secretary of the Interior to carry out her or his responsibilities to protect the 

public domain lands placed under her or his administrative jurisdiction and to regulate their use 

and disposition under various laws, including the Mining Law of 1872, the Bureau of Land 

Management (BLM) established the 43 CFR 3830 regulations.

This handbook contains the procedures to follow when implementing the 43 CFR 3830 

regulations. These regulations pertain to the recordation of mining claims, mill sites and tunnel 

sites on public domain lands, recordation of mining claims and tunnel sites on lands patented 

under the Stock Raising Homestead Act, mining claim maintenance fees, waiver of the 

maintenance fees, filing of proof of annual assessment work or notice of intention to hold mining 

claims, mill sites, or tunnel sites, and other supplemental maintenance action filings. This 

handbook should be used in conjunction with the pertinent Federal regulations, the BLM 3830 

Manual (updated 2014), and other program guidelines and established policies.

B. Legal Authorities

The Mining Law of 1872, as amended, 30 U.S.C. §§ 22-54 (Mining Law) declares all valuable 

mineral deposits in lands belonging to the United States “to be free and open to exploration and 

purchase.” Several early court cases dealt with the rights of miners to prospect for minerals, and 

upon discovery of a mineral, to locate a mining claim. The following are the laws amending the 

Mining Law that are relevant to the BLM’s administration of mining claims.

1. Federal Land Policy and Management Act.

Section 314 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), 43 U.S.C. 

§ 1744, amended the Mining Law to require persons holding mining claims and sites to record 

their mining claims with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) by October 22, 1979. 

Section 314 also requires a claimant to record any mining claim, mill site, or tunnel site located 

after October 21, 1976, with the BLM, and to make annual filings to maintain all claims or sites, 

regardless of whether they were located before or after FLPMA. FLPMA provides the BLM 

with information on the locations and numbers of unpatented mining claims, mill, and tunnel 

sites in order to better manage the public lands. Section 314 also helps the BLM remove the 

cloud on title to lands where claims were recorded but abandoned and to determine the name and 

address of the current owner of record. Section 314 specifically states that failure to make the 

required filings conclusively constitutes an abandonment of the mining claim or site. 

2. Maintenance Fee Statute.

The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (enacted August 10, 1993), as amended, 
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30 U.S.C. §§ 28f-28l, provided that in lieu of the annual filing requirements in section 314 of 

FLPMA, mining claimants must pay an annual fee of $100 per claim or site. This maintenance 

fee statute also required claimants who located claims and sites after its enactment to furnish the 

BLM with a one-time location fee of $25 per claim or site at the time of recording a certificate of 

location. Failure to timely file the maintenance fee or location fee conclusively constitutes a 

forfeiture of the claim or site and the claim or site is void by operation of law. The maintenance 

fee statute provided the Secretary with the discretion to waive the fees for claimants who held 10 

or fewer mining claims or sites, provided they comply with the previous requirements under 

section 314 of FLPMA and 30 U.S.C. § 28. The Secretary exercised this discretion to offer the 

waiver by promulgating the regulations at 43 CFR part 3835. 

The Fiscal Year 1999 Omnibus Reconciliation Act of October 21, 1998, moved the original 

maintenance fee payment deadline of August 31 to September 1 to coincide with the assessment 

year, and added a 60-day waiver cure provision for defective small miner fee waivers. There is 

no cure for failing to timely file the maintenance fee waiver or paying the maintenance fee.

As directed by 30 U.S.C. § 28j, the Secretary of the Interior adjusts maintenance and location 

fees to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index every 5 years or more frequently if the 

Secretary determines an adjustment to be reasonable. Accordingly, on July 1, 2004, the claim 

maintenance fee increased to $125 per claim and the location fee increased to $30 per claim (69 

FR 40294); then again on June 29, 2009, the claim maintenance fee increased to $140 per claim 

or site and the location fee increased to $34 per claim (74 FR 30959); and the latest increase 

occurred on June 30, 2014, when the maintenance fee increased to a rate of $155 and the location 

fee increased to $37 per claim or site (79 FR 36662). The fee increases are always effective 

beginning with the assessment year following the date of publication in the Federal Register. 

Accordingly, new claims located on or after the first September 1 following the publication, will 

require the revised fees. Additionally, the annual maintenance fee for existing claims must be 

paid at the increased rate on or before the same September 1. In years where the amount of the 

fee is adjusted under 30 U.S.C. § 28j, claimants are afforded a 30-day opportunity in which to

pay the increase as long as they timely paid the fees at the rate just prior to the increase. 

The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 (enacted December 23, 2011) amended the 

Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 (30 U.S.C. § 28f) by adjusting the maintenance fee 

for placer mining claims to be calculated based on the acreage of the claim instead of a flat fee 

for each claim. Accordingly, claimants are required to pay the maintenance fee for every 20 

acres or portion thereof for each placer claim they hold. On July 27, 2012, this statutory change 

was implemented by publication in the Federal Register (77 FR 44155).

3. Stock Raising Homestead Act (SRHA) Amendments. 

Public Law No. 103-23 dated April 16, 1993, amended the requirements to locate and maintain a 

mining claim or tunnel site on lands patented under the Stock Raising Homestead Act of 

December 29, 1916 (SRHA). The SRHA amendments provide that no person other than the 

surface owner may enter SRHA lands to explore for or to locate a mining claim on such lands 

without first filing a notice of intent to locate a mining claim (see Form 3830-3, “Notice of Intent 
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to Locate a Lode or Placer Mining Claim(s) and/or a Tunnel Site(s) on Lands Patented Under the 

Stock Raising Homestead Act of 1916 as amended by the Act of April 16, 1993”) (NOITL), with 

the BLM and provide notice to the surface owner of their intent to enter upon the lands to 

explore for and locate mining claims. The surface owner may (1) provide the required form to 

locate mining claims or tunnel sites; or (2) locate claims or tunnel sites without furnishing the 

NOITL but provide evidence that s/he is the surface owner.

The BLM segregates the SRHA lands for 90 days beginning the day after the BLM receives a 

complete NOITL. During the first 30 days after the claimant notifies the surface owner, the 

claimant cannot explore for or locate mining claims or tunnel sites. During the next 60 days, the 

claimant may enter the lands to explore for and locate the mining claims or tunnel sites. The 90-

day segregation period is automatically extended if the claimant is required to file a Plan of 

Operations under the BLM's regulations at 43 CFR part 3809 with a BLM field office and the 

plan has not been approved or disapproved. 

C. Lands Affected

This handbook applies to the administration of mining claims and sites on all Federal lands, 

including those lands administered by agencies other than the BLM, including, except in 

circumstances noted, National Park Service lands. Under 43 CFR 3830.5, Federal lands means 

any lands or interest in lands owned by the United States, subject to location under the Mining 

Law, including, but not limited to, those lands within forest reservations in the National Forest 

System and wildlife refuges in the National Wildlife Refuge System.

D. Professional Conduct

The most frequent contact that the mining claimant has with the BLM is through you. The 

impression left with the claimant depends largely on your manner and professionalism.

In dealing with the public and other agencies, they may ask you to give advice or an opinion on 

many topics. You are not the attorney for the person making the inquiry, nor acting as a 

professional consultant, so on legal questions, you should cite the applicable law or regulation, 

refer to pertinent decisions, and suggest the person consult with a mining law attorney for legal 

advice. When the question is of a technical nature, refer the person to a mining engineer or 

geologist. You should guard against giving information, legal advice, or suggestions that 

are not within your area of expertise or the responsibility of the BLM.

E. Files and Recordation

1. Filing. A filing system should consist of an individual file for all documents initially 

filed by a mining claimant. Chapter VI contains a comprehensive list of information 

normally found in a case file.

2. Documentation. To properly implement the 3830 regulations, the case file must 

document all actions. It is your responsibility to maintain a current and accurate 
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filing system. Without proper documentation, evidence will not exist to defend a 

decision. Proper documentation may also prevent unnecessary judgments against the 

BLM. Document case files with official documents as well as with Memorandums to 

the File created by an adjudicator to document telephone conversations the 

adjudicator had with a claimant. Documenting telephone conversations or 

conversations when a claimant meets with you in person is critical to making certain a 

case file is complete and has all information needed to support a decision 

(Illustration 1).

3. Mining Claim Recordation System/Legacy Rehost 2000. In 1979, the BLM 

developed a program for the automated entry of all actions associated with 

implementation of the 3830 regulations within the Mining Claim Recordation System 

(MCRS). We designed this system to maintain the current status of all claim activity 

and the MCRS required input on a regular basis.

In 1999, the BLM’s automated database system Legacy Rehost 2000 (LR2000) was

deployed to make certain there would be no year 2000 (Y2K) issues with the existing 

system. The major differences between LR2000 and the MCRS are the architecture 

and means of access. LR2000 consists of nationally centralized databases accessed 

through the BLM Intranet and in addition to the MCRS, also contains data from the 

Case Recordation (CR), Legal Land Description (LLD), and the Status databases. 

The Transaction Processing system includes the capability to create, read, update, and 

delete records and actions in a graphical user interface within each database. The 

system generates reports using commercial, rather than custom, software. There may 

be differences in the format and entry screens but LR2000 adopted the information 

and terminology from the MCRS, so they are similar. 

4. Mining Claim Recordation/Alaska Land Information System. In 1992, the Alaska 
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Land Information System (ALIS) was deployed as a rehost of Alaska’s previous 

database housed on a Burroughs computer system. ALIS is the electronic record of 

all BLM Alaska’s case files. For mining claim recordation, it includes the automated 

entry of all actions associated with implementation of the 3830 regulations. ALIS is 

designed to maintain current status of all claim/site activity. 

F. Other Regulations

The 3830 regulations apply to all public Federal lands open to mineral location, administered by 

the BLM as well as other agencies. In addition to the 3830 regulations, the lands may be 

affected by other regulations administered by various Federal, state, and local agencies 

governing health, safety, sanitation, and conservation practices on lands within their jurisdiction. 

In most cases, contact with these agencies is for information purposes only. However, some 

cases require official coordination.
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Chapter II – Minerals Subject To Location And General Location Procedures

A. General

Unless the mineral within the land claimed is clearly subject to the leasing acts or the material 

sales act, we do not adjudicate what minerals may be subject to location as a recording matter. If 

the mineral claimed is an issue, the field office will resolve the matter through a formal mineral 

examination. The following definitions are given as background information for the adjudication 

staff when answering questions related to these issues.

1. Minerals Not Subject to Location under the Mining Law. 

a. Leasing Act Minerals: Minerals subject to the mineral leasing acts as specified in 

43 CFR Parts 3100, 3200, 3400, or 3500; and

b. Mineral Materials: Minerals identified as salable under the Mineral Materials Act 

of 1947 and 43 CFR Part 3600.

2. Characteristics of a Locatable Mineral. (43 CFR 3830.11, 3830.12)

a. Basic Criteria: A mineral is subject to location if it is not subject to sale or lease 

and is:

(1) Recognized as a mineral by the scientific community; and

(2) Found on Federal lands open to mineral entry.

b. Uncommon Varieties of a Mineral Material: The Surface Resources Act of 1955, 

30 U.S.C. 611, generally removed sand, gravel, and other common variety 

minerals from location under the Mining Law, while protecting valid claims 

located for such minerals before the law's enactment. In addition, under 43 CFR 

3830.12(b), certain varieties of mineral materials are locatable if they are 

uncommon because they possess a distinct and special value. In determining 

whether a mineral is a common or uncommon variety, please refer questions to a 

certified mineral examiner. 

B. Location Requirements

1. General. In order to have a proper location, a mining claim or site claimant1 must 

comply with all applicable state and Federal requirements. Any individual or 

corporation may locate any number of claims or sites; there is no limit. The claimant 

must record the notice/certificate of location in the local recording office, within the 

 

1 The claimant may or may not be the actual person (locator) who located the claim on the ground.
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timeframe governed by state law, and the appropriate BLM state office within 90 

days of the date of location. See Chapter III – Recordation of Mining Claims.

2. Initial Procedures for Locating a Mining Claim/Site. (43 CFR 3832.11)

a. Mineral Estate: The United States must own the mineral estate and the mineral 

estate must be open to mineral location under the Mining Law;

b. Monuments: When required by state regulations, the corners of a mining claim or 

site must have the proper monuments that comply with state law. The BLM does 

not regulate what types of monuments may be used; and 

c. Posting: The mining claimant must also post a notice or certificate of location in 

a conspicuous place on the claim or site in compliance with state posting 

requirements. This is usually a corner post, point of discovery, or centerline of 

the claim. 

C. Description Requirements

1. General Description Requirements for All Mining Claims/Sites. The claim/site must 

be described by state, meridian, township, range, section, and aliquot part to the 

quarter section. A map or sketch must also be provided with the claim/site plotted in 

such a way that the location of the claim/site can be located on the ground. 

(43 CFR 3832.12) 

a. Surveyed Lands: The claimant must use an official survey plat or other U.S. 

Government map that is based on the surveyed or protracted U.S. Public Land 

Survey System to describe the claims; 

b. Mineral Survey Lands: For mining claims and sites located within an existing 

mineral survey, the official legal description must include the appropriate mineral 

survey number, meridian, township, range, section, quadrant, and state. NOTE: 

LR2000 does not accept mineral survey numbers. Record this information in the 

Remarks section of LR2000. The ALIS does accept mineral surveys as part of the 

legal description for the claim. Add the mineral survey number in the legal 

description in ALIS;

c. Unsurveyed Lands: The claimant must provide a metes-and-bounds description 

that fixes the position of the claim corners with respect to a specified claim 

corner. The corners are then tied to a discovery monument which is then tied to a 

mineral survey monument, or an official BLM/GLO survey monument, or survey 

corner. In all cases, the description of the land must be as compact and regular in

form as reasonably possible and should conform to the U.S. Public Land Survey 

System and its rectangular subdivisions as much as possible;
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d. Protraction Block: For mining claims and sites located on lands within a 

protraction block, the official legal description is meridian, township, range, 

protraction block, quadrant, and state. NOTE: LR2000 does not accept 

protraction block section information. In the LR2000 description area, enter the 

section number that usually appears on the Master Title Plat (MTP). Record the 

protraction block information in the “Remarks” section of LR2000. In Alaska, all 

unsurveyed townships are protraction diagrams. Enter legal descriptions for 

mining claims into the ALIS and identify them to the quarter section; and

e. Global Positioning System (GPS) Units: GPS units vary in accuracy; therefore, 

we will not accept a notice/certificate of location with only GPS coordinates. The 

claimant must include the aliquot part land description on the notice of location 

and provide a map. If it is a lode claim or it is on unsurveyed lands, a metes-andbounds description with a tie to a permanent object must be included on the 

notice. 

2. Other Recording Statutes. When the claimant records a mining claim or site under 

FLPMA, the claimant must also comply with any other separate recording 

requirements existing under other Federal law if the claim or site is located on certain 

lands. 

a. Mining Claim Rights Restoration Act of 1955 (Public Law No. 84-359), 30 

U.S.C. 621-625; 43 CFR 3811.2-6 and 43 CFR 3730: When locating claims or 

sites on lands withdrawn or reserved for power development (powersites), the 

claimant must mark the notice with the notation “Subject to PL 359” or “Located 

pursuant to the Act of August 11, 1955.” If such a notation is not on the notice, it 

may delay the processing procedures. See Chapter IV - Claims Located in a 

Powersite Withdrawal.

b. Revested Oregon and California (O&C) Railroad and Reconveyed Coos Bay

Wagon Road Grant Lands Act (62 Stat. 162), 43 CFR 3811.2-5, 43 CFR 3821: 

When locating claims or sites on O&C lands, the claimant should mark the notice 

with “Located pursuant to the Act of April 8, 1948.” If such a notation is not on 

the notice, it will delay the adjudication procedure. 

c. Mineral Locations in Reclamation Withdrawals. The Act of April 23, 1932 (47 

Stat. 136; 43 U.S.C. 154) (Act), authorizes the Secretary of the Interior in his 

discretion to open to location, entry and patent under the general mining laws with 

reservation of rights, ways and easements, public lands of the United States which 

are known or believed to contain valuable deposits of minerals and which are 

withdrawn from development and acquisition because they are included within 

the limits of withdrawals made pursuant to section 3 of the Reclamation Act of 

June 17, 1902 (32 Stat. 388; 43 U.S.C 416). An application to open lands to 
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location under the Act may be filed by a person, association or corporation 

qualified to locate and purchase claims under the mining laws. See Chapter IV –

Mineral Locations in Reclamation Withdrawals. 

d. Stock Raising Homestead Act of 1916 (SRHA) and SRHA Amendments; 43 

U.S.C. § 299, 43 CFR part 3814: To locate a claim on SRHA lands, the claimant 

must file a notice of intention to locate a mining claim and provide notice to the 

surface owner as well as comply with other requirements before beginning 

operations. See Chapter IV- Stock Raising Homestead Act Lands Adjudication.

3. Types of Mining Claims and Sites. 

a. Lode Mining Claims (43 CFR 3832.21(a)): Lode mining claims may be located 

for minerals that occur as veins, lodes, ledges, or other rock in place. These will 

contain base and precious metals, gems and semi-precious stones, and certain 

industrial minerals, including but not limited to gold, silver, cinnabar, lead, tin, 

copper, zinc, fluorite, barite, or other valuable deposits. 

Lode claims may not be located for mineral deposits that occur as bedded rock 

(stratiform deposits such as gypsum or limestone) or is a deposit of placer, 

alluvial (deposited by water), eluvial (deposited by wind), colluvial (deposited by 

gravity), or aqueous origin.

(1) Shape and Size (43 CFR 3832.22 and 43 CFR 3832.12(b)): A lode claim 

is generally a parallelogram, which may not exceed 1,500 feet in length or 

600 feet in width. However, a lode claim may be located in any shape, as 

long as the claim fits within the 1,500 feet by 600 feet dimensions. It must 

be described by metes-and-bounds beginning at the discovery point of the 

claim and include a tie to natural objects or permanent monuments which 

include:

(a) Township and section survey monuments; 

(b) Official U.S. mineral survey monuments; 

(c) Monuments of the National Geodetic Reference System; 

(d) The confluence of streams or point of intersection of well-known 

gulches, ravines, or roads, prominent buttes, and hills; or

(e) Adjoining claims or sites.

(2) Special Conditions: Under certain conditions, the side lines of a lode 

mining claim may be extended onto land not open to mineral entry in 
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order to obtain extra-lateral rights on the lands still open to mineral entry. 

The extension of lines onto the land not open to entry does not give the 

lode claimant any surface or mineral rights in such lands, but only serves 

to protect the apex rights on the land open to entry.2The extended portion 

of the lode claim is not null and void ab initio; however, you should send a 

notice to the lode claimant advising that they have not acquired mineral 

rights to the extended area (Illustration 71).

(3) Noncontiguous Tracts: A lode claim may be separated into two 

noncontiguous tracts by an intervening patented mill site or other nonmineral patent, “provided the lode or vein upon which the location is 

based has been discovered on both parts of the lode.”3 

b. Placer Mining Claims (43 CFR 3832.21(b)).

(1) General: Mineral deposits typically located as a placer mining claim are:

(a) River sands or gravels bearing gold or valuable detrital minerals; 

(b) Hosted in soils, alluvium (deposited by water), eluvium (deposited 

by wind), colluvium (deposited by gravity), talus, or other rock not 

in its original place;

(c) Bedded gypsum, limestone, cinders, pumice, and similar mineral 

deposits;

(d) Mineral-bearing brine (water saturated or strongly impregnated 

with salts and containing ancillary locatable minerals) not subject 

to the mineral leasing acts where a mineral subject to the Mining 

Law can be extracted as the primary valuable mineral; or 

(e) Uncommon varieties of building stone located under the Building 

Stone Placer Act. 

(2) Shape and Size: Individual placer mining claims can be no more than 20-

acre squares or rectangles that should be described by aliquot part and 

complete lots using the U. S. Public Land Survey system and its 

rectangular subdivisions. If a placer claim takes in a portion of a lot, the 

total claim area must be described by metes and bounds. Each 10-acre 

aliquot part of a placer mining claim must be mineral-in-character. (43 

CFR 3832.21). Land within a placer location must be contiguous.

 

2 Santa Fe Mining, 79 IBLA 48 (1984); Marilyn Dutton Hansen, 79 IBLA 214 (1984).

3 Raymond E. Johnson, 57 I.D. 63, 65 (1939).
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Exceptions to the public land survey requirement occur when the placer 

claim is: 

(a) Located on unsurveyed Federal lands; 

(b) Located as a gulch or bench placer claim; or 

(c) Confined by the boundaries of other mining claims or non-mineral 

lands. 

(3) Special Rules for Gulch or Bench Placer Claims or for Placer Locations on 

Unsurveyed Lands. (43 CFR 3832.12(c)(2))

(a) The claimant can describe the lands by protracted survey if there is 

a protracted survey of record; or

(b) The claimant can describe the lands by metes-and-bounds, if a 

protracted survey is not available or if the land is not amenable to 

protraction.

NOTE: The term “complete lots” comes from the definition of lots in the Manual of Surveying 

Instructions. This is an excerpt of the appropriate section:

“10·200. Lots, whether those (1) on the north and west boundaries of 

a township, (2) created by segregation and patenting of lode mining 

claims, (3) created by meandered bodies of water, or (4) created by 

other special surveys, are a legal subdivision of official surveys. The 

subdivision of such lots into smaller legal subdivisions requires an 

official survey. A location certificate description "W 1/2of lot 1" does 

not conform and cannot be made to conform to the rectangular or 

legal subdivisions of the PLSS, and an official survey of the land 

located and claimed is necessary (Holmes Placer, 29 Pub. Lands Dec. 

368 (1899)).”

So, based on the above, this is why if a claim takes in only a portion of a lot, the whole claim 

must be described by metes and bounds. 

c. Association Placer Mining Claims. (30 U.S.C. 36; 43 CFR 3832.22(b)(2))

General: A group of individuals or companies may aggregate their allowable perclaim acreage to locate and record a single association placer claim greater than 

20 acres. An association placer claim may not exceed 160 acres and all the land 

within an association placer claim must be contiguous. Within the association, 
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each person or business entity may locate up to 20 acres. To obtain the full 160 

acres, the association must consist of at least eight co-locators, each having a 

proportionate share in the claim. Smaller association placer claims may also be 

located. As an example, three co-locators may jointly locate an association placer 

claim no larger than 60 acres. 

The locator(s) may not use the names of other persons as dummy locators 

(fictitious locators) to locate an association placer claim for the benefit of the 

remaining locator(s). 43 CFR 3832.22(b)(2). When a new location is received 

and the adjudicator suspects some of the claimants may be dummy locators, the 

adjudicator can attempt to confirm all claimants have a proportionate interest in 

the claim. If all claimants have the same address and it appears they are not 

related, we need to confirm there are no dummy locators. The regulations state 

that every customer must submit their current mailing address. Therefore, even if 

an agent is acting on behalf of all the claimants, we still require individual mailing 

addresses. In this case, the adjudicator will request that all claimants submit their 

individual mailing addresses along with a power of attorney giving the agent 

authority to act on their behalf (Illustration 2).

If a person listed as a claimant submits a notarized statement that they do not have 

an interest in the claim and never gave their permission to be listed as a claimant, 

remove that claimant from LR2000/ALIS and require the remaining claimants to 

reduce the claim size by filing an amended location notice. 

If an association placer claim is described by metes-and-bounds, it must meet the 

following requirements in order to not split the Federal lands into narrow, long, or 

irregular shapes (43 CFR 3832.12(c)(3)):

A location by two persons must fit within the exterior boundaries of a square

40-acre parcel;

A location by four persons must fit within the exterior boundaries of two

square 40-acre contiguous parcels;

A location by six persons must fit within the exterior boundaries of three

square contiguous 40-acre parcels; and

A location by eight persons must fit within the exterior boundaries of four

square contiguous 40-acre parcels. 

d. Mill Site Locations. 

(1) Lands Subject to Location: Located on non-mineral land not contiguous 

to a vein or lode, a mill site is a form of surface entry used to support an 
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ongoing mining or milling operation. There are two types of mill sites (43 

CFR 3832.31):

(a) A dependent mill site, which is used for activities that support a 

particular patented or unpatented lode or placer mining claim or 

group of mining claims; and 

(b) An independent or custom mill site. This is not dependent on a 

particular mining claim but provides milling or reduction 

processing for nearby lode mines or a lode mining district.

(2) Shape and Size: The maximum size of an individual mill site is 5 acres, 

which may be in square or rectangular form. A mill site may be located 

and described in the same manner as a lode or placer mining claim. Lands 

where the United States does not own the surface estate, such as SRHA 

lands, are not open to mill site location (43 CFR 3832.33(b)).

e. Tunnel Site Locations.

(1) Lands Subject to Location: A tunnel site is a subsurface right-of-way 

under Federal land open to mineral entry. It is used for access to lode 

mining claims or to explore for blind or undiscovered veins, lodes, or 

ledges not currently claimed or known to exist on the surface (43 CFR 

3832.41).

(2) Shape and Size: Tunnel sites are up to 3,000 feet in length (or to the end 

of the tunnel, whichever is shorter) and up to 1,500 feet in width and are 

generally located and recorded in the same manner as a lode mining claim 

with the additional requirements of (43 CFR 3832.42):

(a) Erecting a substantial post, board, or monument at the face of the 

tunnel, which is the point where the tunnel enters cover, upon 

which the location notice is placed; 

(b) Giving the height and width of the tunnel on the location notice; 

(c) Placing stakes or monuments on the surface along the boundary 

lines of the tunnel at proper intervals as required under state law 

from the face of the tunnel for 3,000 feet or to the end of the 

tunnel, whichever is shorter; and 

(d) Protecting the tunnel site from other parties making locations of 

lodes within the sidelines of the tunnel and within the 3,000-foot 

length of the tunnel, unless such lodes appear upon the surface or 
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were previously known to exist.

(3) Acquiring a Vein or Lode Discovered in a Tunnel Site Location (43 CFR 

3832.44, 3832.45). The claimant may use the tunnel site for subsurface 

access to a lode claim or to explore for and acquire previously unknown 

lodes, veins, or ledges within the confines of the tunnel site. The claimant 

may acquire any blind veins, ledges, or lodes cut, discovered, or 

intersected by the tunnel, by locating a lode claim over them, if the veins, 

ledges, or lodes:

(a) Are located within 1,500 feet from the tunnel axis; and 

(b) Were not previously known to exist on the surface and are within 

the limits of the tunnel. 

The date of location of any lode claim located under the terms of the 

tunnel site is retroactive to the date of location of the tunnel site. 

(4) Diligent work requirement. If work ceases on the tunnel site for more than 

6 consecutive months, the claimant will lose the right to possess all 

unknown, undiscovered veins, lodes, or ledges that the tunnel may 

intersect. If a field examination discovers the tunnel site is not being held 

in good faith, or it appears there has been an abandonment, the Interior 

Board of Land Appeals (IBLA) has ruled that the BLM may initiate a 

contest proceeding to determine validity instead of declaring the actual site 

abandoned and void through Decision (David Hanson, 182 IBLA 94 

(2012)). 

D. Contents of the Notice/Certificate of Location. The notice/certificate of location 

must include the following information (43 CFR 3832.12):

1. The name or names of the claimants, and in accordance with 43 CFR 1822.10, a 

current mailing address for each claimant;

2. The date of the location; 

3. The name or number of the claim/site, or both, if applicable; and 

4. A description of the claim or site.

a. Description required for recording purposes (43 CFR 3832.12(a)(1)). The 

claimant must describe all claims and sites by state, meridian, township, range, 

section, and by aliquot part to the quarter section. To obtain the land description, 

the claimant must use an official survey plat or other U.S. Government map that is 
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based on the surveyed or protracted U. S. Public Land and Survey System. If the 

claim cannot be described by aliquot part (if the land is unsurveyed), the claimant 

must provide a metes-and-bounds description that fixes the position of the claim 

corners with respect to a specified claim corner, discovery monument, or official 

survey monument. In all cases, the description of the land must be as compact 

and regular in form as reasonably possible and should conform to the U. S. Public 

Land System and its rectangular subdivisions as much as possible. See also 43 

CFR 3832.12(b) and (c) for further description requirements for lode and placer 

claims; and 

b. Map or Narrative Requirements. (43 CFR 3832.12(a)(2))

(1) A topographical map published by the U. S. Geological Survey with a 

depiction of the claim or site; or 

(2) A narrative or sketch describing the claim or site and tying the description 

to a natural object, permanent monument, or topographic, hydrographic, or 

manmade feature. 

(a) The map or sketch must show the boundaries and position of the 

individual claim or site by aliquot part within the quarter section 

accurately enough for the BLM to identify the mining claims or 

sites on the ground.

(b) There can be more than one claim or site on a single map or sketch 

if they are located in the same general area and if the individual 

mining claims or sites are clearly identified. 

(c) A locator is not required to employ a professional surveyor or 

engineer to establish the location’s position on the ground.
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Chapter III – Recordation Of Mining Claims And Sites

A. Who May Locate a Mining Claim, Mill or Tunnel Site

Those persons or entities qualified to locate mining claims or sites are (43 CFR 3830.3):

1. Citizens of the United States;

2. Legal immigrants who have filed an application for citizenship with the proper 

Federal agency;

3. Minors who have reached the age of discretion under the laws of their state of 

residence;

4. Business entities organized under the laws of any state, including but not limited to 

corporations and partnerships; and

5. Duly constituted and appointed agents acting on behalf of qualified locators.

“Age of discretion” is that age at which, pursuant to state law, an individual is legally entitled to 

manage his or her own affairs, and to enjoy civic rights. Age of discretion is a factual matter and 

the BLM will only inquire if we need the information for official purposes.

Limited liability companies (LLCs) fall under the definition of “business entities” and may 

locate mining claims. The current regulations do not specify whether trusts qualify as “business 

entities,” however the BLM has currently been accepting locations by trusts. Trusts will be 

addressed in a future rulemaking, but in the meantime, if there is a question as to the legitimacy 

of a trust or the trustee, you should send a 30-day notice requesting additional information 

regarding the trust.

B. Adjudicating Citizenship

In the case of an individual, proof of citizenship may consist of his/her own affidavit. In the case 

of a corporation or other business entity organized under the laws of the United States or of any 

state or Territory of the United States, filing of a certified copy of their charter or certificate of 

incorporation or organization will substantiate the proof of citizenship. 

The BLM will adjudicate citizenship based upon our official records. We will not summarily 

challenge mining claimants with a foreign address and will only become involved in the 

adjudication of citizenship under any of the following situations:

1. Mineral Patent Application has been filed (43 CFR 3862.2);

2. The Public Interest Would be Served (i.e., public projects, withdrawals, administrative 

sites). The BLM will conduct further inquiry and act as needed. If no claimant is a 
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citizen, the BLM may contest the mining claim or site, or take appropriate action, in 

consultation with the Solicitor’s Office.

3. A Third Party Challenges the Citizenship Requirement of a Mining Claimant. In cases 

where an adverse mining claimant or other person holding an interest in the lands 

alleges that the claimant of record is a non-citizen, the BLM should refer the adverse 

party to state court or other court of competent jurisdiction. The Department is not 

the forum for the resolution of private party disputes between rival claimants. If the 

state court declares the mining claim(s) or site(s) abandoned, issue a decision to that 

effect, and close the case file. However, if a state or Federal agency asks the BLM to 

investigate whether the locators are qualified the BLM may choose to investigate 

further and may, if warranted, initiate a contest (see BLM Manual on Contests and 

Protests).

4. Joint Ownership by a Non-Citizen and Qualified Locators. If one of the owners of a 

mining claim or site is not a citizen and the remaining owners are qualified locators as 

stated in Section II above, the mining claim or site remains a proper location and no 

further action is necessary by the BLM. The locators of an association placer mining 

claim must all be qualified to locate a claim. For every non-U.S. citizen, there must also 

be a qualified claimant in order to claim the full acreage. 

5. Foreign Address. If we receive a notice/certificate of location with only a foreign 

address, the BLM will not challenge it unless we have a need to resolve this issue for 

official purposes.

No administrative case law exists regarding the effect that transferring of claims or sites to noncitizens has on the continuing viability of a mining claim that is not under patent application. 

Consequently, if a claimant asks you whether it is allowable to transfer or sell a claim or site to 

non-citizens or if a non-citizen can inherit a claim or site, you should state that you are unable to 

give legal advice and suggest that the claimant contact a mining law attorney. 

C. Where to Record Mining Claim Documents

Sections 314(a) and (b) of FLPMA require the recordation of unpatented mining claims, mill 

sites, and tunnel sites (43 U.S.C. § 1744(a), (b)). Claimants are also required to file related 

documents, filings, and fees in the proper BLM office within specified time periods. The proper 

BLM office is the BLM state office having jurisdiction over the land in which the claims or sites 

are located (43 CFR 1821.10). Failure to record the required documents and pay the required 

processing fees within the time limits imposed by the statute constitutes a conclusive 

abandonment of the mining claim, mill site, or tunnel site, and the claim or site is void.

Claims or sites crossing state lines. The claimant must file mining claims or sites crossing state 

lines in only one BLM state office. You may suggest to the claimant to file in the state where the 

discovery is located; however, it is the claimant’s choice where to file. Even though the claimant 

will only file their location notice in one BLM state office, you should make certain they 
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understand to comply with the state law requirements for both states.

In addition to the BLM State Office in Alaska, the Northern District Office’s Records and Public 

Information Center, located in Fairbanks, may also receive and record documents, filings, and 

fees for all mining claims, mill sites, and tunnel sites located in the State of Alaska (see 

definition of “BLM State Office” in 43 CFR 3830.5).

NOTE: If an office receives a document and that office is not the proper office of filing, that 

office can choose to (1) either return the whole package (including the envelope and all fees) to 

the claimant explaining which office is the proper office of filing or (2) forward the whole 

package to the proper office of filing. If the wrong office receives a document and earns the 

money, the office can forward the document to the proper office with a copy of the Collections 

and Billings System (CBS) receipt. When the proper office receives the document, CBS 

personnel will update the existing transaction number so that the transaction becomes part of 

their state’s records. The receiving office must make certain the document arrived timely. Keep 

all evidence such as envelopes from the forwarding office in the case file. The date of 

recordation is the date the proper office actually received the document. You must cross off or 

cancel all other date stamps or notations by any other office. It is the claimant’s responsibility 

to make certain documents and payments are timely received in the proper office, not the 

BLM’s.

The BLM will accept location notices/certificates that the claimant has or will record in the state 

or county recorder’s office. In addition to the United States mining laws, there are state statutes 

relative to location and recording of mining claims and sites in the state, which the claimant must

observe in the location of mining claims and sites. You can obtain information as to state laws 

locally or from state officials. The BLM does not adjudicate a claim based on state law.

NOTE: In accordance with 43 CFR 1822.14, if the last day to timely file or pay a fee falls on a 

day when the proper BLM office is officially closed, the BLM will consider the document or 

payment timely filed on the next day the office is officially open.

D. Required Fees 

1. Table I contains the FY 2015 amounts payable to the BLM for the location,

recordation, and maintenance of claims/sites. Processing fees may be adjusted

annually. See 43 CFR 3000.12(a). The one-time location fee and maintenance fee 

payments are adjusted every 5 years, or at any other time as required by other statute. 

See 43 CFR 3834.21.
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TABLE I (Current as of October 1, 2014)

Transaction Amount due per mining claim or site Waiver 

Available

Recording a mining claim or site location (43 CFR 

3000.12 and 3830.21) must be paid within 90 days of 

location date.

A total sum which includes:

(1) The processing fee for notices of location 

found in the fee schedule in § 3000.12 of this 

chapter;

(2) A one-time $37 location fee; and

(3)(i) For lode claims, mill sites and tunnel 

sites, an initial $155 maintenance fee; or

(ii) For placer claims, an initial $155 

maintenance fee for each 20 acres of the placer 

claim or portion thereof. 

No

Application to open lands to location (43 CFR 

3000.12)

A $10 processing fee No

Amending a mining claim or site location (43 CFR 

3000.12).

A $10 processing fee No

Transferring a mining claim or site (43 CFR 3000.12).

Transfers of segregated or severed claims (43 CFR 

3000.12). 

A $10 processing fee, per claim,

per transferee

A $20 processing fee (new claim)

A $10 processing fee (transfer as above)

No

No

Maintaining a mining claim or site for one assessment 

year (43 CFR 3830.21). Must be paid on or before 

September 1.

(1) For lode claims, mill sites and tunnel sites, 

an annual maintenance fee of $155 must be paid 

on or before September 1 each year.

(2) For placer claims, a $155 annual 

maintenance fee for each 20 acres of the placer 

claim or portion thereof must be paid on or 

before September 1 each year.

Yes, see 43 CFR 

3835

Recording an annual FLPMA filing (43 CFR 3000.12). 

Must be received on or before December 30. 

A $10 processing fee No

Submitting a petition for deferment of assessment 

work (43 CFR 3000.12). Must be filed/paid on or 

before September 1.

A $110 processing fee No

Maintaining an oil shale placer mining claim (States of 

Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming only) (43 CFR 

3830.21). Must be paid by December 30.

An annual $550 fee No

Recording a notice of intent to locate mining claims on 

Stock Raising Homestead Act Lands (43 CFR 

3000.12)

A $30 processing fee No

2. Acceptable Forms of Payment.

a. Currency of the United States;

b. Postal, bank, and commercial money orders payable in U.S. dollars to the 
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Department of the Interior--Bureau of Land Management;

c. A personal, business, bank certified, or cashier’s check or other negotiable 

instrument payable in U.S. dollars to the Department of the Interior--Bureau of 

Land Management;

d. A valid credit card that is acceptable to the BLM; or

e. An authorized debit from a declining deposit account with the BLM. We will 

deduct maintenance, location, and processing fees or add overpayments to the 

account only when authorized by the claimant.

3. Submission of Payment.

a. In Person. A claimant may bring payments to the BLM state office by close of 

business on or before the due date. If the office is closed on the date the payment 

is due, payment is considered timely if it is received on the next business day the 

office is open (43 CFR 1822.14).

b. Use of Credit Cards. The claimant must send or fax a written authorization 

bearing their signature or they may give authorization by telephone if they can 

satisfactorily establish their identity to the BLM. The claimant must authorize 

payment on or before the due date. 

c. BLM Payment Portal. Claimants may pay the required annual maintenance fee 

through the BLM’s payment portal located at www.blm.gov/payportal/home.html. 

For instructions how to use this site, an online guide is available by clicking the 

“Help” option on the site.

d. Mailing of Payments. 

(1) United States mail.

(a) The payment must be in an envelope postmarked on or before the 

due date (private postal meter stamps are not acceptable); and

(b) The proper BLM office must receive the payment no later than 15 

calendar days after the due date.

(2) Other mail delivery services.

(a) The payment must be in an envelope clearly identified by a bona 

fide mail delivery service as being sent on or before the due date; 

and
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(b) The proper BLM office must receive the payment no later than 15 

calendar days after the due date.

4. Insufficient Payments.

a. New Locations. If a claimant submits a new location for recording and the

amount of money tendered will not cover the necessary amount for processing, 

location, and maintenance fees, we will proceed in the following manner:

(1) Assignment of funds: We will apply the funds received in complete

recording units. This means we will divide the funds received into 

complete units that cover the processing, location, and the maintenance 

fees for a mining claim or site. 

(2) Remaining new locations: If the 90-day recording period has not yet 

passed, the BLM will call the claimant if there is a telephone number, or 

issue a notice if time permits, for any outstanding fees needed to complete 

the recording of the remaining locations. We must receive these fees 

before the 90-day recording period expires. The recordation received date 

will be the date the fees are paid. After the 90-day period has expired, we 

will reject and return any remaining certificates or notices for which we 

cannot apply full payment. We will return the certificates or notices by 

decision, and the claims will be declared forfeited. Be sure to keep a copy 

of the rejected certificates or notices as evidence in case of an appeal. We 

will refund any remaining funds (except processing fees) that do not cover 

full payment for a claim.

b. No Fees Received for New Locations. If we do not receive fees at the time of 

recordation, the receiving official (accounting technician) should not serialize the 

notice/certificate of location and will return the entire package without further 

action. 

If the notice/certificate of location is inadvertently serialized without the proper 

fees and then forwarded to adjudication, a forfeiture decision will be issued by 

adjudication. Cancel the date stamp by crossing it off, writing cancel, and 

initialing prior to returning the original. Be sure to keep a copy of the certificates 

or notices as evidence in case of an appeal. If the 90-day recording period has not 

passed, the claimant can be contacted by telephone and asked to provide a credit 

card payment for the fees. (43 CFR 3000.10(b)).

c. Partial Payments on Existing Mining Claims and Sites.

(1) Payment by Serial Number. A partial payment will be applied in serial 

number order (lowest to highest) until the money runs out. We will 

allocate funds as maintenance fees first. We will credit any remaining
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monies as processing fees if needed for transfers, amendments, annual 

filings, or any other administrative requirement for which a processing fee

is due. 

(2) If we receive insufficient processing fees for administrative actions

(transfers, amendments, etc.) on existing claims or sites, and the receiving

official (accounting technician) discovers the deficiency, call the claimant 

to remit the remaining fees via a credit card that day (the due date). 

d. Insufficient Payments due to Statutory Increases. The one-time location fee and 

maintenance fee payments are adjusted at least every 5 years based on the 

Consumer Price Index (CPI), or at any other time as required by other statute. For 

a CPI adjustment, the BLM will publish a notice in the Federal Register by July 1 

of a given year to make the adjusted fees due on the upcoming September 1. In 

the case of an adjustment based on the CPI, if a claimant pays the fees timely but 

pays the fees based on the amount required prior to the adjustment, the BLM will 

send a Notice to the claimant allowing them 30 days in which to pay the 

additional amount required to meet the adjusted fees (Illustration 82). If the 

adjustment is required by other statute, consult the Federal Register notice 

announcing the adjustment to determine whether a similar opportunity to cure 

may be allowed. 

5. Bad Check Policy. If we receive a check, negotiable instrument, or credit card for 

payment of processing, location, or maintenance fees that the issuing authority does 

not honor, and such refusal is not an error of the issuing authority, we will treat this as 

a nonpayment of the fees (43 CFR 3830.23(b)). 

a. If prior to the filing deadline (e.g., 90 days, September 1, December 30), we 

determine a check is not honored by the bank, attempt to notify the claimant so 

they may replace the payment before the deadline. The claimant must make the 

second payment by cashier's check, money order, or some other type of 

guaranteed remittance.

b. If after the filing deadline, we will issue a decision declaring the claims/sites 

forfeited by operation of law. Insert a paragraph into the decision explaining that 

we may accept a replacement payment if this was an error of the issuing authority 

(bank, credit union, etc.). If the claimant contends the bank is responsible for the 

error, require a letter from the issuing institution detailing the facts and including 

a statement that they caused the error. Acceptance of the facts is at the discretion 

of the Authorized Officer. If the Authorized Officer agrees, the claimant may 

make the second payment after the deadline. Since the issuing institution caused 

the error, we do not require a guaranteed remittance.

6. Closed Claim/Site Policy. The BLM has no authority to accept money or documents 

under the Mining Law for a mining claim/site that no longer exists. Once we have 
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determined that a mining claim/site is abandoned and void, null and void, or 

otherwise forfeited, and the administrative appeal period has expired, we will close 

the case record and we will not accept any further fees or documents relating to the 

claim/site. We will return processing fees only if the receiving official discovers the 

claims are closed claims while trying to process the payment. In this case, the 

accounting official will return the entire packet including the processing fees with no 

action taken. However, if adjudication reviews the document to determine if the 

closed claim has been relocated, the processing fee will always be earned. The 

adjudicator will NEVER reopen a closed case to earn processing fees. If a claim has 

not been relocated, the adjudicator will give manual instructions to CBS personnel to 

earn the processing fee to the following Commodity, Subject, and Action (CSA) in 

CBS: Commodity = Locatable Minerals; Subject = Mining Claims-Earned & AdjudTransfers Only; Action = Nonrefundable Processing Fee No Authno. This CSA does 

not require an authorization number (serial number).

7. Refund Policy. NOTE: We recommend that the BLM not authorize a refund until 

30 days after receipt of the remittance (personal check) to make sure that the payment 

clears the bank.

a. Processing Fees. Do not refund/return processing fees except: (1) those subject to 

the closed claim/site policy (see D.6. above); (2) overpayment of fees; or (3) for 

supplemental documents received without a BLM serial number and CBS 

accounting personnel return everything to the remitter without the package being 

submitted to adjudication. (Procedures established in WO IM 2011-176 –

Procedures for Earning Nonrefundable Mining Law Processing Fees.)

b. Maintenance and Location Fees. Refund maintenance and location fees if the 

following criteria is met:

(1) Land not available. If the location is on land not open to mineral entry or 

otherwise not available for mining claim or site location and we 

determined the claim is null and void ab initio. (This does not include a 

top filed claim—these lands are open to mineral entry and we will retain 

the fees); or

(2) Closed mining claim. When the claimant submitted a mining claim or site 

for recording and the mining claim or site was already void. This does not 

apply when a 30-day notice to cure is sent to the claimant and the claimant 

does not respond within the time allowed and the claim or site is declared 

abandoned and void as of the time of filing. In these instances, there 

should be no refund of any fees.

8. Credits. The BLM may apply overpayments to future maintenance fee payments if 

the mining claimant requests such action in writing. The overpayment must be in full 

increments. (See WO IM 2011-073 Processing Duplicate Mining Claim or Site 
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Maintenance Fee Payments.)

E. New Notice/Certificate of Location Adjudicating

1. General. A notice or certificate of location is a written or printed notice used by the 

claimant to officially record a mining claim or site. The locator/claimant will record 

the notice or certificate with the proper BLM office and the local recording office. 

The notice or certificate should include the name of the claim or site, the names and 

individual mailing addresses of the locators/claimants, the date of location, the type of 

claim or site, and a complete legal description containing the state, meridian, 

township, range, section, and quarter section of the claim or site.

For all new mining claims and sites, we require claimants to pay a processing, a 

location, and an initial maintenance fee for the assessment year in which the mining 

claim or site is located. These fees are due at the time of recording with the BLM. 

(See Table I above.)

2. Adjudication Process for New Claims or Sites. 

a. Receiving Official Steps: Receive new location notice/certificate, date stamp, 

serialize, and receipt fees. Forward to adjudication, or route for automated entry, 

then forward to adjudication.

b. Adjudication Steps: 

(1) Prepare a case file according to state procedures.

(2) Request/print a copy of the MTP for the case file.

(3) If applicable, enter the mining claim case file into a file/docket tracking 

system and/or mining claim log.

(4) If applicable, prepare the check sheet (Illustrations 3 and 4) with the serial 

numbers, date received, and the date we entered the case file into a 

tracking system.

(5) Affix serial numbers according to state office procedures to 

notices/certificates of location in alpha-numeric order. Be sure to verify 

that each notice/certificate has a BLM-received date stamp.

(6) Verify that we have received the proper fees and ensure a copy of the CBS 

receipt is in the case file. (See Table I). NOTE: If a claim or site was 

located prior to September 1 but we received the notice/certificate of 

location on or after September 1 (some offices refer to this as a “bridge 

claim” because it “bridges” two assessment years), the claimant must pay 
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the initial maintenance fee for the year of location and the current 

assessment year within the 90-day filing period. If qualified and the 

claimant files a small miner fee waiver for the current assessment year, the 

claimant must file the small miner fee waiver at the time of recording with 

the BLM.

(7) If the new claim is a placer claim, verify that the total acreage does not 

exceed the acreage allowed by law (20 acres per locator). An association 

placer claim may contain up to 160 acres if the proper number of 

claimants/locators are listed.

(8) If we determine that there was an overpayment of fees, issue a refund. 

(See Refund Policy in Section D of this chapter.)

(9) If we receive insufficient fees, attempt to contact the claimant for payment 

of additional fees. We must receive the additional payment within the 90-

day filing period. (See Insufficient Payments in Section D of this chapter.)

(10) Check the date of location. The locator/claimant must file (see definition 

below) the mining claim or site notice/certificate with the proper BLM 

state office, or in Alaska the Anchorage or Fairbanks Offices, within 90 

days from the date of location of the claim or site. The 90-day period 

begins the day after the date of location. If the locator/claimant does not 

record the mining claim or site notice/certificate within the 90-day time 

limit, issue a rejection/abandoned and void decision (Illustration 5) (43 

CFR 3833.1(a)). NOTE: If the notice/certificate is timely, but does not 

indicate a date of location or part of the date is missing, issue a 30-day 

notice to cure, requesting an amendment which has the corrected location 

date. If the date is present, but seems improbable or impossible and thus is 

an obvious error (for example, a location date of January 1, 2011, for a 

claim recorded on January 30, 2012, or a location date of January 1, 2013 

submitted on January 2, 2012), issue a 30-day notice to cure. 

Filed means a document is:

(a) Received by the appropriate BLM state office on or before the due 

date; or 

(b)(1) Postmarked or otherwise clearly identified as sent on or before the 

due date by a bona fide mail delivery service; and 

(2) Received by the appropriate BLM state office either; 

(i) Within 15 calendar days after the due date; or

(ii) On the next business day, if the 15th day is

not a business day (43 CFR 1822.14). 

NOTE: This includes when the due date falls on a day when the office is 
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officially closed. In those instances, the filing can be considered timely if 

postmarked or received on the next official business day.

In general, if the envelope sent through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS)

only has a private meter date on it and not a USPS postmark, the private 

meter stamp will not satisfy the requirement in (b)(1) if the document is 

received after the due date. However, if there is convincing evidence that 

the document was sent on or before the due date (for example, the 

document arrives the next calendar day after the due date, or the claimant 

submits documentation from their local post office that the post office 

does not cancel a private meter date), you may consider the private meter 

stamp as the date the document was sent.

If a BLM office other than the appropriate state office receives a 

document, that BLM office will forward the document and the envelope 

the document was mailed in to the appropriate state office. We do not 

consider the document filed until it is actually received at the appropriate 

state office. It is not the responsibility of any office to forward a 

document to the appropriate state office. For documents or payments that 

are not time sensitive (such as a waiver or maintenance fee payment), the 

best practice is to return the document to the claimant/remitter giving 

instructions where the document should be filed. The first “received” date 

stamp should be crossed off to make certain there are no 

misunderstandings as to which date is the true date of filing. 

(11) Check the notices/certificates of location for claim name and type of claim 

or site. Check the customer database to see if the claimant’s name and 

address is listed. As a general rule, an individual claimant should have 

only one active listing in the customer database. A company or 

corporation may have more than one active listing especially if located in 

different cities. If the notice/certificate lists a claimant already existing in 

the customer database but the address is different, verify it is the same 

claimant and then follow procedures for changing the address. If the 

claimant is not listed in the customer database, follow state office

procedures to add new claimants to LR2000/ALIS. (See Chapter VIII -

Reference Material for procedures.) 

If necessary, you can obtain the addresses by contacting the claimant or 

remitter by telephone. You may also use addresses on cover letters, 

checks, receipt, etc. Ensure that you document the case file to show 

how you obtained the address. 

Doing Business As (dba). If, for example you receive a document with 

the name John Smith dba Gold Hills Mining Co., in the “Owner Details” 

section of LR2000, try to input Smith John dba Gold Hills Mining Co. If 
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the full name does not fit, use the individual’s name and enter the full 

name in the Remarks section at the bottom of the page. Interest 

relationship code is 58 (claimant). 

(12) If the claim name, location date, claim type, acreage, or any addresses are 

missing, or if the document is not legible, prepare a 30-day notice to cure 

requesting the additional information (Illustration 8).

(a) If a 30-day notice to cure is issued and a response is not timely 

received and there is still time left in the 90-day recording period, 

the adjudicator will issue a decision rejecting the recordation of the 

claim. In the decision, the claimant should be notified they have 

the option of refiling the claim (with all the required information 

and fees) as long as it is received within the 90-day period after the 

location date of the claim. The maintenance and location fees will 

be refunded. 

(b) If the 90-day recording period has expired, a decision will be 

issued declaring the claim or site abandoned and void. The 

maintenance and location fee will be refunded. If the claimant 

wants to refile, they will need to relocate (new location date) the 

claim first, refiling with the county and the BLM. (43 CFR 

3830.94(d) (Illustration 9)).

(13) Check the legal description and acreage to make certain there is no 

discrepancy. (See Chapter II, Location Requirements.). All claims or 

sites require a map, sketch, or narrative description of the claim location. 

Maps are preferred. There are some exceptions (43 CFR 3832.12):

(a) If the claimant does not furnish a map or a complete legal 

description, prepare an additional requirement notice allowing 30 

days for the claimant to furnish the information (Illustration 10). 

NOTE: Send the notice by certified or registered mail, returnreceipt requested. The 30-day period begins the day after the 

claimant receives the notice. 

(b) If we do not receive the requested information in the time allowed, 

issue a final decision declaring the claims or sites abandoned and 

void for failing to supply the requested information (43 CFR 

3830.94(d) (Illustration 11)). NOTE: Do not give an extension of 

time to file the requested information.

(14) Check the land status where the claim or site is located.

(a) Ensure the MTP and/or Historical Index (HI) is for the correct 
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township and range. 

(b) Verify the lands are open to location. 

(c) Verify that the legal description on the map matches the 

description on the notices/certificates of location. If you question 

where the claim or site is located, compare the map with a 

topographic map. If the description places the claim or site in 

different locations, request an amendment or new map within 30 

days. (See I - Adjudication of Relocations and Amendments

Section below.)

(d) If the lands are segregated or withdrawn and closed to mineral 

location, or if the land is unsurveyed and the claim or site appear to 

be on land not open to mining, issue a Null and Void or Null and 

Void in Part ab initio Decision (Illustrations 12 and 13).

(e) If the lands are withdrawn for a powersite (PL 359), see Chapter 

IV – Claims Located in a Powersite Withdrawal. 

(f) Verify copies of all supporting land action documents that affect 

the claims/sites are in the mining claim case file. (See Chapter V –

Decisions and Notices Section.)

(g) Verify the legal description in LR2000 under Land Description 

Details to make certain the geopolitical data (county, field office, 

surface managing agency) is correct according to the location 

notice and map. If there is a geopolitical split in the township, in 

other words, more than one county, field office, or surface 

managing agency, and LR2000 completes the geopolitical data 

based on the information in the Legal Land Description (LLD) data 

base, make certain the claim is actually located in more than one 

geopolitical area. If it is not, then LR2000 should be updated to 

delete the geopolitical data that does not apply to the claim.

For example, in the above details, LR2000 indicates this particular 

claim is in Plumas and Sierra Counties, California. To remove one 

of the counties if the claim is not actually located in both, click on 

“Update Location Details.”
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From the “Land Description Update” Screen, click on the words 

“Plumas Sierra” (or whatever counties show in the data) under the 

County heading.

If the claim is just located in one of the selections above, check the 

“Del?” box next to the line that needs to be deleted and then click 

the Delete button.

The line will delete once the “Delete” button is clicked. Exit out of 

this screen to return to the Land Descriptions Details where there 

will then only be information for one geopolitical group. 

(15) For all states except Alaska, complete data entry for new claims and/or 

sites into LR2000 by completing the following:

(a) Case Header Details which includes the Case Type, Claim Name, 

Lead File Number, and Case Acres. NOTE: The acreage field 

must be completed so that the Curr Mnt Fee field is properly 

populated.

(b) Owner Details. The Interest Relationship field is automatically 

populated with code 58 – Claimant. 

(c) Land Description Details. The Geopolitical Data is automatically 

populated based on the information entered for Meridian, 
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Township, Range, Section and Quarter Section. 

(d) Action Details. For LR2000, enter Action Codes 395 –

Recordation Notice Received; 403 – Location Date; 484 –

Location Year Maintenance Fee; 500 – Map in Lead File; 501 –

Accounting Advice in Lead File; and 669 – Land Status Checked 

(if applicable). You may have to use other action codes than those 

listed. 

(e) Remarks if there are any additional comments that should be added 

regarding the file. If the full claim name does not fit in the claim 

name field, the full name of the claim should be added in this area.

(16) For new claims or sites in Alaska, complete data entry for new claims 

and/or sites by entering data into the Alaska Case Retrieval Enterprise 

System (ACRES) by completing the required fields in the following:

(a) Case Data. This section includes the case serial number, case type, 

and claim name and in addition, shows case status, case status 

action, and case status date.

(b) Customer Data. Enter each claimant name along with the interest 

relationship.

(c) Administrative/Status Action Data. Enter action codes 904 –

Location Notice Filed; 906 – Location Date; 893 Lead Case; 251 –

Claim/Lease Digitized (if applicable) and 255 – Land Status 

Checked (if applicable). You may have to use other action codes 

than those listed.

(d) Financial Action Data (entered through the CBS/ALIS interface). 

Codes include 020 – Claim Location Fee; 019 – Location Service 

Charge; and 902 – Claim Maintenance Fee.

(e) Land Description.

(f) General Remarks. 

NOTE: When entering the name of the claim or site, enter the name into LR2000 exactly the 

way it’s printed on the location notice, including any punctuation. For instance, if the claim 

name is Amy’s Bar, the claim name should be entered including the apostrophe.

F. Maintenance Fees 

1. General. The annual maintenance fee required by 30 U.S.C. §§ 28f(a) and 28l and 43 
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CFR 3834.10 to hold and maintain a mining claim, mill site, or tunnel site is due on 

or before September 1 of each year. The BLM will not prorate an annual 

maintenance fee for a mining claim or site that the claimant holds for only part of a 

year. The full fee is due even if the claimant holds the mining claim or site for just 1

day in an assessment year. (See Table 1.) 

2. Claim/Site Names and Serial Numbers. The claimant(s) must provide a list of the 

claim/site names and the BLM-assigned serial numbers accompanied by the proper 

fees. 

3. Adjudication of Maintenance Fees.

a. Receiving Official Steps: Receive maintenance fees, date stamp, and process 

receipt in CBS. Forward to adjudication or route for automated entry, then 

forward to adjudication.

b. Adjudication Steps:

(1) Verify that every page of the filing document has a legible date stamp. If 

the date stamp is illegible or missing, return to the receiving official for 

correction. 

(2) Verify that the document notes the assessment year being paid. If not 

documented, assume the claimant is submitting the filing for the current 

assessment year. 

(3) Check that the BLM received the fees on or before the due date. NOTE: 

The due date is always September 1 unless the due date is extended due to 

September 1 falling on a non-business day when the office is officially 

closed. 

(a) If the postmark date is on or before the due date, but the receipt 

date is after, the filing is timely if received within 15 calendar days 

of the due date. Retain the envelope for case file documentation. 

Ensure that a copy of the envelope is in all affected case files. If 

the office is closed on the 15th day, the documents are timely filed 

on the next business day. Private postage meter stamps are not 

acceptable for filings received after the due date, except where 

there is convincing evidence that the document was sent on or 

before the due date. For example, the document arrives the next 

calendar day after the due date, or the claimant submits 

documentation from their local post office that the post office does 

not cancel a private meter date. NOTE: Always use the date a 

payment is received as the action date in LR2000 except when a 

payment is timely received after the due date. If a payment is 
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timely received after the due date, use the due date, extended due 

date, or the postmark date as the action date. 

(b) If the BLM receives the fees or the envelope containing the fees is

postmarked after the due date, prepare a forfeiture decision 

(Illustration 14). Do not refund monies until after the appeal 

period has expired. If the claimant files an appeal, follow the 

Interior Board of Land Appeal’s (IBLA) instructions regarding the 

fees.

(4) Review case file to ensure the claims/sites are active and the claim names 

and/or serial numbers match. 

(a) If they do not match, and you cannot determine the correct 

name/number match through a search of the BLM records, call or 

write the claimant/remitter, state your findings, and request the 

corrected information. If the request for the required information 

is in writing, allow a 30-day response time. If it is an obvious 

error, correct the document (in red or pencil) and initial. 

(b) If the BLM receives maintenance fees for closed mining 

claims/sites, after checking to see if the claims might have been 

relocated, return the fees to the remitter and notify the claimant 

that the claims are closed (Illustration 15). (See refund policy 

under Section D of this chapter.)

(c) If the BLM has no record of the claim/site being recorded with the 

BLM, return the entire packet.

(d) If the BLM telephones the claimant or agent requesting 

information, prepare a telephone confirmation with the information 

provided and document all affected case files.

(5) Verify that the money received is sufficient for the number of claims/sites. 

(a) If correct, update LR2000. By updating LR2000, the money will 

be earned in CBS through the nightly interface. Following the 

procedures for your state, apply the proper notation to the 

document to show processing is complete.

(b) If insufficient funds are received, it is BLM policy that we apply 

the partial payment in serial number order until the money runs 

out. Prior to the due date, request the additional fees from the 

remitter either by telephone or prepare an Additional Requirement 

Notice (Illustration 16). The BLM must receive the additional 
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funds on or before the due date or the envelope containing the 

additional funds must be postmarked on or before the due date and 

received at the proper BLM office within 15 calendar days after 

the due date.

(c) If an overpayment of maintenance fees is received, prepare a 

refund. (See Refund Policy under Section D of this chapter.)

(6) Check for any claimant name or address changes. (See Adjudication of 

Address Changes or Name Changes in Section L of this chapter.)

(7) Copy the receipt and documents and put in all affected case files. Follow 

state procedures regarding sending a copy of the documents to the remitter 

and/or owner of record. 

(8) Complete data entry for maintenance fees into LR2000 AC 782 –

Maintenance Fees Payment). Action remarks for AC 782 should reflect 

the 4-digit assessment year in the first 4 places, followed by a semi-colon, 

then the amount received. For example: 2015;$155. Enter the applicable 

receipt number in the “Receipt Nr” field. NOTE: This instruction is 

current through the 2015 assessment year. Maintenance and location fees 

are adjusted every 5 years in accordance with 30 U.S.C. 28j(c) and new 

action codes may be established at that time to accommodate the increased 

maintenance fee in LR2000. 

If a claimant is paying for multiple claims and sites, entry of the receipt of 

the fees may be entered into LR2000 using the Mass Action update screen. 

The Mass Action update screen may be used to update 1 to 50 consecutive 

numbers at one time. Be certain to always use the most current action 

code to record the maintenance fees. 
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Complete data entry for maintenance fees into ALIS AC 902 – Claim 

Maintenance Fee. 

(9) If the BLM does not receive a payment or waiver on or before 

September 1, prepare a forfeiture decision (Illustration 17).

4. Maintenance Fee Payments Received through the BLM Payment Portal. Annual 

maintenance fee payments paid through the BLM payment portal are receipted 

through CBS and notation of the payment is programmatically entered into LR2000. 

For a complete guide regarding these types of payments, see Chapter VIII –

Reference Material.

G. Waivers from Annual Maintenance Fee Payments (Waiver)

1. General. A waiver from payment of annual maintenance fees may be available under 

certain circumstances. 

2. Qualifications for Obtaining a Waiver. The claimant(s) of a lode or placer mining 

claim, mill site, or tunnel site may request a waiver from payment of the annual 

maintenance fee under certain conditions. If the claimant qualifies, the BLM will 

allow the waiver and will waive the annual maintenance fee. The claimant(s) of a 

waived claim or site under a small miner fee waiver must perform assessment or other 

qualifying work and make the appropriate FLPMA filing (either an assessment work 

notice or notice of intent to hold) by December 30 of the calendar year in which the

small miner fee waiver is filed as well as by the December 30 following the end of 

the assessment year for which the BLM waives the maintenance fees. The BLM may 

not waive location and maintenance fees required for the initial recording of a mining 

claim or site. Table II gives the situations and requirements for obtaining a waiver 

from payment of the annual maintenance fee. (43 CFR 3835.11)
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Table II

TYPE OF WAIVER QUALIFICATIONS

(a) Small Miner All related parties must hold no more than a total of 10 mining 

claims or sites nationwide, and all co-claimants must qualify for 

the small miner fee waiver. If one co-claimant on a claim does 

not qualify, then none of the claimants are qualified. Claimants 

must complete and submit BLM Form 3830-2.

(b) Servicemembers Civil Relief 

Act (formerly the Soldiers’ and 

Sailors’ Civil Relief Act)

All co-claimants must be military personnel on active duty 

status. 

(c) Reclamation Maintenance fees can be waived for mining claims or sites that 

are undergoing final reclamation under subparts 3802, 3809, or 

3814, if the claimant does not intend to continue mining, 

milling, or processing operations on those sites. 

(d) Denial of Access The claimant has received a declaration of taking or a notice of 

intent to take from the National Park Service (NPS) or other 

Federal agency; or the United States has otherwise denied 

access to the mining claim or site. 

3. Requests for a Waiver. All waiver requests for the upcoming assessment year must 

be filed on or before September 1. The claimant must file the waiver request for the 

mining claim or site on or before September 1 for the waiver request to be eligible.

There is one exception to this September 1 deadline: if the claimant locates a newly 

recorded mining claim or site during one assessment year and the claimant timely 

records the claim or site on or after September 1 (bridge claim), then the claimant 

may submit the small miner fee waiver request after September 1, but only if the 

claimant submits a request for a waiver for the assessment year that began on 

September 1 at the time of the recording of the mining claim or site with the BLM. If 

the claimant does not file a small miner fee waiver request at the time of recording, 

the claimant must pay the maintenance fee for the assessment year that just began on 

September 1 within the 90-day recording period. 

4. Information Required for a Waiver. All waiver requests must include:

a. The names and mailing addresses of all claimants who maintain an interest in the 

mining claims or sites listed on the waiver document;

b. The original signatures of the claimants of the mining claims or sites who are 

requesting the waiver, or the original signature of the authorized agent of the 

owner or owners of those mining claims or sites. The claimant must file or have 

on file with the BLM a notarized power of attorney or other legal document with 
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the BLM for the person signing to constitute an authorized agent;

c. The claim names and the serial numbers of the mining claims/sites for which the 

waiver is requested; and 

d. The assessment year for which waiver of the maintenance fee is requested. If the 

claimant does not document the assessment year, assume the filing is for the 

current assessment year due. It is a curable defect if the waiver contains the 

wrong assessment year, and the BLM will issue a notice to cure, allowing the 

claimants either 30 or 60 days to cure, depending on the type of waiver filed. For 

the small miner fee waiver, the claimants are always given 60 days in which to 

cure the defect and 30 days for a different type of waiver. 

5. Small Miner Fee Waiver Filings. 

a. To file for a small miner fee waiver, the claimant must use BLM Form 3830-2. 

By completing Form 3830-2, each claimant is declaring and certifying that:

(1) They and all related parties hold no more than a total of 10 mining claims 

and sites nationwide; and

(2) They have completed or will complete assessment work required by the 

Mining Law to maintain their claims by the end of the applicable 

assessment year.

b. If the claimant uses a waiver as a Notice of Intent to Hold (NOI) by writing 

“Notice of Intent to Hold” on the waiver and submitting the applicable processing 

fee for each claim or site, process the document in accordance with Section H of 

this chapter, Adjudication of Annual FLPMA Documents. 

6. Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (formerly the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Civil Relief 

Act) Waiver Filings. 

Authority: Section 505 of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (formerly the 

Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act) protects mining claims and sites from 

forfeiture for nonperformance of assessment work while the owner serves in the 

military. All claimants of record must be military personnel on active duty status 

(43 CFR 3835.11(b)). Enlistment in the reserves is not normally enough to 

qualify as “active duty” for purposes of this waiver; rather, the claimant must 

provide evidence that the military considers the claimant to be in active duty 

status.

The claimant’s application for a waiver must include a notice that they have 

entered the military and that the claimants are excused from performing 

assessment work. 
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The BLM will automatically renew the waiver as long as the claimant remains on 

active duty. The claimant will be responsible to comply with maintenance fee 

requirements again as of the first September 1 or six months after the claimant is 

released from active duty status or from a military hospital, whichever is later.

7. Reclamation Waiver Filings.

a. The application must include a certified and/or notarized statement that:

(1) The claimant is reclaiming the mining claims or sites;

(2) The claimant intends to end mining operations on the claims or sites 

permanently; and

(3) Refers to a reclamation plan previously submitted to and approved by the 

BLM; or refers to a reclamation plan approved by a surface managing 

agency other than the BLM.

b. The claimant must fulfill their annual FLPMA requirements by filing an

assessment work document stating the nature of the reclamation work performed 

(43 CFR 3835.12).

8. Denial-of-Access Waivers Filings.

a. The application must include a statement that the claimant has received a 

declaration of taking or a notice of intent to take from the NPS or other Federal 

agency, or a statement that a surface management agency or court has denied, in 

writing, them access to the mining claim or site.

b. The claimant must submit copies of all official documents received that 

demonstrate the declaration of taking, notice of intent to take, or denial of access.

c. An application for NPS approval of a Plan of Operations (PoO) does not justify a 

denial-of-access waiver. While the NPS is reviewing the claimant’s PoO, or if the 

NPS disapproves the PoO but has not denied access, or issued a declaration of 

taking or a notice of intent to take, the claimant must pay the annual maintenance 

fee (43 CFR 3835.11d(3)).

d. The claimant must fulfill their annual FLPMA requirement by filing a Notice of 

Intent to Hold (43 CFR 3835.31).

The claimant must use BLM Form 3830-2 (Maintenance Fee Payment Waiver 

Certification) when requesting the small miner fee waiver from payment of the 

annual maintenance fees. For other types of waivers, the claimant may submit the 

request in writing; the BLM does not require a specific form.
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NOTE: Forms with an approved Office of Management and Budget (OMB) number 

must not be modified by anyone without prior OMB approval. Modifying an approved 

form would violate the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3507(h)(3).

9. Renewal of Waivers. Table III below summarizes the length of time permitted for 

each type of waiver and the manner in which a claimant may renew a waiver.

Table III

TYPE OF WAIVER DURATION RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS

Small Miner One assessment year Apply for a small miner fee waiver 

by each September 1

Servicemembers Civil 

Relief Act (formerly 

Soldiers’ and Sailors’ 

Civil Relief Act)

Until 6 months after release 

from active duty status or 

from a military hospital or the 

next September 1, whichever 

is later

The BLM will automatically renew 

the waiver if the claimant continues

to meet the qualifications. The 

claimant must notify the BLM 

within 6 months after they leave 

active duty status.

Reclamation One assessment year Apply for a reclamation waiver by 

each September 1

Denial of Access One assessment year Apply for waiver certification by 

each September 1

10. Changing From a Small Miner Fee Waiver to Payment of Maintenance Fees. A 

claimant who is currently holding claims under a small miner fee waiver and decides 

to switch and pay the maintenance fee for the upcoming assessment year, must:

a. Perform the required assessment work in the assessment year for which the 

waiver was effective. 

b. File the affidavit of annual assessment work required by December 30 

immediately following the close of the assessment year in which the claimant 

performed the assessment work; and

c. Pay the maintenance fee on or before September 1 for the upcoming assessment 

year.

11. Changing From Payment of Maintenance Fees to Filing a Small Miner Fee Waiver. 

A qualified small miner who is currently not under a waiver and decides to switch 

and request a waiver for the upcoming assessment year is required to:
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a. Submit a waiver request on or before September 1 for the upcoming assessment 

year;

b. File an NOI on or before the December 30 immediately following the submission 

of a waiver request. If the NOI is not received by December 30, it is NOT a 

curable defect unless it is for the calendar year in which the claim is located or it 

is for a mill or tunnel site. The BLM may issue a reminder notice to the claimant 

to submit the NOI along with the proper fees (Illustration 18). NOTE: An 

affidavit of annual assessment work cannot be accepted in place of the NOI unless 

it meets all the regulatory requirements of what is to be included in an NOI;

c. Perform the required assessment work in the assessment year for which the BLM 

waived the maintenance fee; and

d. File an affidavit of assessment work on or before the December 30 immediately 

following the close of the assessment year in which the claimant performed the 

assessment work.

12. Transfers of Mining Claims or Sites Held under a Small Miner Fee Waiver. 

a. Verify the transferee is qualified for a waiver. If a transferee has purchased, 

inherited, or otherwise obtained mining claims or sites that are subject to a 

waiver, they must also qualify for the waiver in order for the BLM to continue to 

apply the waiver to the mining claims or sites. You must verify that the 

transferee(s) qualified for the waiver each assessment year the transfer was in 

effect and maintenance fees were waived.

b. Transfer effective under state law in the current assessment year and transferee is 

not qualified for a waiver. If a transferee purchased, inherited, or otherwise 

obtained mining claims or sites that are subject to a waiver and they do not 

qualify for a waiver, they must pay the annual maintenance fee(s) for the current 

assessment year for the claims they just acquired and any claims they held under a 

waiver for the current assessment year. Issue a notice to the transferee stating that 

the maintenance fees for the transferred claims and any other claims held by the 

transferee under a waiver are due on or before the September 1 following the date 

the transfer was effective.

c. Transfer effective under state law prior to current assessment year. If the transfer 

was effective in an assessment year prior to the current assessment year, and the 

transferred claims were held under a waiver for one or more of those intervening 

years (for example the transfer was effective June 1, 2009, and the claim was held 

under a waiver in the 2009 and 2010 assessment years), whether the transferee 

will be able to pay maintenance fees for any year where a waiver was filed that 

was not signed by the transferee will depend on the type of waiver and whether 
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there were other owners at the time.

NOTE: The main thing to make certain is that if claims held under a waiver are 

transferred, the new owner must be qualified to continue to hold the claims under 

waiver. If the transfer was effective in a previous assessment year and the claims 

were held under waiver during that time, the adjudicator must determine if the 

waiver filed at that time is still acceptable based on the new owner’s 

qualifications. If not, the claims may be forfeited.

13. Adjudication of Waivers.

a. Receiving Official Steps: Receive waiver, date stamp, and process receipt in 

CBS, if necessary (no fee is required for the waiver, however, claimants often 

remit monies with the waiver). Forward to adjudication or route for automated 

entry, then forward to adjudication.

b. Adjudication Steps: 

(1) If the claimant remits money, proceed with state policy of either refunding 

immediately or retaining the fees until the BLM receives the FLPMA

document. (See Refund Policy under Section D of this chapter.)

(2) Check that the document has a BLM-received date stamp. 

(a) If the receipt date is on or before the due date (September 1 unless 

extended due to offices being officially closed), continue the 

adjudication process.

(b) If the BLM receives the waiver after the due date, but it is 

postmarked on or before the due date and received within 15 

calendar days after the due date, staple the envelope to the original 

document to provide evidence that the claimant timely filed the 

waiver. If the office is closed on the 15th day, the documents are 

timely filed on the next business day. Make sure all affected case

files contain a copy of the envelope. Private postage meter 

stamps are not acceptable except if there is clear evidence that 

the document was sent by the due date. For example, the 

document is received the day after the due date or the claimant 

provides information noting that the post office does not cancel 

private postage meter stamps if the date on the stamp is the 

same date the post office received the envelope. NOTE: 

Always use the date a waiver is received as the action date in 

LR2000 except when a waiver is timely received after the due date. 

If a waiver is timely received after the due date, use the due date, 

extended due date, or the postmark date as the action date. 
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(c) If the BLM receives the waiver in an envelope postmarked after 

the due date, or receives the waiver more than 15 calendar days 

after the due date (even if timely postmarked), prepare a forfeiture 

decision (Illustration 19).

(3) Review case files to assure the claims or sites are active and the claim 

names/serial numbers match. Verify that the claimant has completed all 

required annual requirements for previous assessment years. Verify 

ownership and make sure all claimants have signed the waiver. We must 

receive original signatures. If the claimants cannot obtain the original 

signatures of all co-owners, they must pay the maintenance fees in order to 

maintain the claims or sites. ALWAYS request a power of attorney if an 

agent signs the waiver on behalf of the claimants.

(a) If the BLM does not receive all claimants’ names, addresses, and 

original signatures, prepare an additional requirement notice 

requesting the additional information (Illustration 20). A copy of 

the original waiver received may be sent to the claimant(s) to be 

used for the remainder of the signatures required or a new form 

may be sent if the claimant(s) did not send in a form with original 

signatures. Never return an original waiver. Allow 60 days for 

compliance. No extension of time will be allowed. If the BLM 

does not receive the additional information for the small miner fee 

waiver and the claimant does not pay the maintenance fee, prepare 

a forfeiture decision (Illustration 21). 

(b) If the BLM receives a small miner fee waiver for closed mining 

claims/sites, return the package to the claimant, after checking to 

make certain the claimant did not relocate the claims. If only a 

portion of the claims/sites are closed, adjudicate as above and 

notify the claimant stating that some of the claims/sites are closed

(Illustration 22). If the claimant enclosed a FLPMA document 

with the waiver, verify that the document is associated with the 

waiver filed the previous assessment year; if so, retain the 

document and any processing fee.

(c) If there is no record that the claimant ever recorded the claim or 

site with the BLM, call or write a letter to the claimant and request 

that they give you the BLM serial number. Since you are not 

certain if the claimant recorded the claims with the BLM, only give 

30 days for a response. If you speak to the claimant by telephone, 

prepare a telephone confirmation to document the file. If unable to 

reach by telephone, prepare a letter (Illustration 22). If the BLM 

determines that the claimant did not record the claims with the
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BLM, return the entire package.

(4) Check the LR2000 Nationwide Listing Report to assure that each claimant 

holds no more than 10 mining claims, mill sites, or tunnel sites or any 

combination thereof nationwide. Check the ALIS customer database. 

(See Chapter VIII - Reference Section for instructions for ALIS or on 

Alaska’s homepage use the ACRES program). 

NOTE: The Nationwide Listing in LR2000 can be queried by Customer Name or 

mining claim Customer Address. If there is a question whether a claimant 

might be a related party to a company or another claimant, running a query 

by the address may be helpful if more than one claimant is using the same 

address. This could give the indication that the parties are related and is 

especially useful if claimants do not appear to be related by holding the 

same claims.

(a) All owners must meet the 10-claim limit. If one claimant does 
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not qualify, none qualify. If a claimant submits a small miner fee 

waiver and one or all of the claimants hold more than 10 claims, all 

of the claims for which no maintenance fees were paid are 

forfeited. In addition, the claimants may be subject to criminal 

penalties under 18 U.S.C. § 1001 (43 CFR 3835.92(d)) because 

they signed the waiver attesting, under penalty of perjury, that they 

each own 10 or fewer mining claims or sites. 

(b) If there is a question of the relationship between claimants and 

together they hold more than 10 claims or sites and one or more of 

the claimants has filed a small miner fee waiver, issue a notice 

requesting the claimants clarify their relationship. If evidence 

shows that the claimants are related parties and together they hold 

over 10 claims or sites, all of the claims that were held under a 

waiver are forfeited (Illustration 23). In this instance, there is no 

opportunity to pay the maintenance fee on any claims listed on a 

waiver, since holding more than 10 claims and filing for a waiver 

is not a curable defect. 

(5) Check for any change of address. Update the address according to address 

change procedures (see Adjudication of Address Changes or Name 

Changes in Section L of this chapter).

(6) Keep the original waiver document and return a copy to the 

claimant/remitter. Place a copy of the waiver in each affected case file. 

(7) In LR2000 and ALIS, enter AC 913 – Maintenance Waiver Document 

Filed for the first serial number listed on the waiver. The BLM uses 

AC 913 for reporting purposes to count the number of waivers filed. 

AC 913 is used only once for each document regardless of how many 

claims are listed. Complete data entry for maintenance fee waivers into

LR2000 (AC 477 – Active Military Waiver; AC 479 – Reclamation 

Waiver; AC 483 – Waiver Filed (for use with Denial-of-Access and 

Small Miner Waivers)). Complete data entry for maintenance fee waivers 

into ALIS (AC 903 – Small Miner Certificate Received; AC 894 

Deferment Request Filed, 895 Deferment Granted, 896 Deferment 

Denied; ALIS – AC 971 – Soldier Sailors Waiver.). In LR2000, type the 

assessment year in action remarks and in ALIS, enter the year in the 

assessment year field. NOTE: If a waiver is defective, in LR2000 

replace AC 483 – Waiver Filed with AC 486 – Unacceptable Waiver, 

making certain to use the same date the original waiver was filed. Be sure 

to remove AC 483 if AC 486 is used. Make certain the assessment year 

is recorded for AC 486.

H. Adjudication of Annual FLPMA Documents
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1. General. Payment of the maintenance fee removes the requirement to record 

assessment work or notices of intent to hold under the Mining Law and FLPMA. If 

the claimant filed a small miner fee waiver in the previous assessment year, then the 

claimant must also file a FLPMA filing to complete the requirements of that waiver.

The assessment year begins at 12:01a.m. September 1 and ends at 12:00 a.m. 

September 1 the following year. The Mining Law does not require the performance 

of assessment work in the assessment year the claim is located. However, the BLM 

requires an NOI to hold the claim if a small miner fee waiver is filed for the next 

assessment year. Failure to file this NOI is a curable defect only if it occurs in the 

calendar year the claim is located. For example, if the claim is located on June 1, 

2015, and the claimant files a waiver on August 28, 2015, the claimant must file an 

NOI by December 30, 2015. The failure to file the NOI by December 30, 2015, is 

curable in this instance. However, when a claimant switches from paying the 

maintenance fee and files a waiver in any subsequent year, the failure to file an NOI 

by the December 30 immediately following the filing of the waiver is not curable. 

Beginning with the assessment year that begins after the claimant located a mining 

claim, the claimant must expend $100 in labor or improvements for each claim for each 

assessment year for which they filed a small miner fee waiver, reclamation waiver, or 

denial-of-access waiver. Assessment work is not required for mill sites and tunnel 

sites. Therefore if the sites qualify as part of a waiver, the claimant must file an NOI 

by December 30 of each year under waiver. The failure to file an NOI for mill sites 

and tunnel sites is curable.

For lodes and placer claims under waivers, the claimant must file an affidavit of 

assessment work, (also known as proof of labor (POL)) on or before December 30 each 

year under waiver. The failure to timely file an affidavit of annual assessment work is 

not a curable defect.

2. Required Documents. (See Table IV below).

Table IV

Situation Affidavit of Assessment 

work required

Notice of

Intent to Hold required

Claimant pays annual maintenance fees No No

Claimant has a small miner fee waiver that 

covers mining claims

Yes, by December 30 for 

each assessment year they

obtained a small miner fee 

waiver. 

Yes, but only as described 

in paragraph (c) of 43 

CFR 3835.31.

Claimant has a small miner fee waiver that No affidavit of assessment Yes, an NOI is required 
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Situation Affidavit of Assessment 

work required

Notice of

Intent to Hold required

covers mill or tunnel sites work is required for mill 

or tunnel sites.

for mill and tunnel sites.

Claimant has a Servicemembers Civil 

Relief Act Waiver (previously known as 

Soldiers’ and Sailor’s Civil Relief Act)

No No

Claimant has a reclamation waiver No Yes (43 CFR 3835.31)

Claimant has a denial of access waiver No Yes (43 CFR 3835.31)

Claimant has a deferment of assessment 

work

No Yes, See Chapter IV –

Deferments of Assessment 

Work. 
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3. Contents of an Affidavit of Assessment Work or POL. The required processing fees 

must accompany an affidavit of assessment work or POL for each mining claim 

affected. The claimant should submit the following when filing the affidavit or POL: 

(See Table I.)

a. The name of each mining claim and the BLM-assigned serial numbers, if 

available, identifying the mining claims;

b. Any known changes in the mailing addresses of the claimants; and

c. An exact legible reproduction or duplicate (other than microfilm or other 

electronic media) of either:

(1) The affidavit of assessment work that the claimant filed or will file in the 

county/state recorder’s office where the claim is located; or

(2) The report of geological, geochemical, and geophysical surveys filed in 

the county where the claim is located (43 CFR 3836.13).

4. Contents of an NOI. The proper processing fees must accompany an NOI for each 

mining claim/site affected. The NOI should include the following information: (See

Table I.)

a. An exact legible reproduction or duplicate of a letter or other notice with:

(1) Signatures of one or more of the claimants or their agent; 

(2) A statement of their intention to hold the mining claims/sites for the 

calendar year in which the assessment year ends; and 

(3) A statement verifying that they filed or will file the NOI in the 

county/state recorder’s office where the claim is located.

b. If applicable, the NOI should also include:

(1) A copy of the BLM decision granting a deferment of the annual 

assessment work; 

(2) A copy of a pending petition for deferment of the annual assessment work 

including the date the claimant(s) submitted the petition; or

(3) Any other documentation supporting why the claimant is filing the NOI 

instead of proof of labor.

c. The name and the BLM-assigned serial number of the mining claim or site; and
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d. Any known changes in the mailing addresses of the claimants.

 

5. Assessment Work Requirements. For the most part, we do not adjudicate what 

constitutes acceptable assessment work. However, the general conditions are:

a. Scope of Work. A mining claimant may perform assessment work on an 

individual claim or one or more claims in a group of contiguous lode or placer 

claims that cover the same mineral deposit. A mining claimant may also perform 

assessment work on adjacent or nearby lands if the work supports development of 

the minerals on the claim(s). The dollar amounts expended must equal at least 

$100 per claim.

b. Qualifying Assessment Work. Assessment work includes, but is not limited to:

(1) Excavations and construction. Drilling, excavations, driving shafts and 

tunnels, sampling (geochemical or bulk), road construction on or for the 

benefit of the mining claim; and

(2) Geological, geochemical, and geophysical reports/surveys. The claimant 

cannot use these reports/surveys as assessment work for more than 2 

consecutive years or for more than a total of 5 years on any one mining 

claim. No survey may repeat any previous survey of the same claim and 

still qualify as assessment work (43 CFR 3835.32(d)(2) and 43 CFR 

3836.14(c)).

c. Recording of the Geological, Geochemical, and Geophysical Reports/Surveys. If 

the claimant uses a report/survey performed for the annual assessment work, the 

claimant must record it with the BLM and the county. The report should contain:

(1) The location of the work performed in relation to the point of discovery 

and boundaries of the claim;

(2) The nature, extent, and cost of the work performed;

(3) The basic findings of the surveys; and 

(4) The name, address, and professional background of persons conducting 

the work and analyzing the data. 
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6. Adjudication of a FLPMA Filing. 

a. Receiving Official Steps: Receive FLPMA document (Proof of Labor or Notice 

of Intent to Hold), date stamp, and process receipt in CBS. Forward to 

adjudication or route for automated entry, then forward to adjudication.

b. Adjudication Steps: 

(1) Verify that every page of the document has a legible date stamp and the 

assessment year is documented. If the date stamp is illegible or missing, 

the receiving official must correct this.

(2) Although the claimant may perform assessment work at any time after 

September 1, the claimant must file a FLPMA document in the calendar 

year in which the assessment year ends. For instance, a FLPMA 

document for the 2011 assessment year (ending September 1, 2011) must 

be filed in calendar year 2011, on or before December 30, 2011. A 

FLPMA document received in the calendar year that the small miner fee 

waiver is filed is not acceptable for recording and will be returned to the 

claimant with instructions to re-file after the first of the year. The 

processing fee will not be refunded so the claimant will also be reminded 

to pay another processing fee when they re-file the document.

(3) If the assessment year is not documented, the assumption can be made that 

the filing is being filed for the current assessment year. If the assessment 

year is clearly a mistake, issue a 30-day notice to the claimant to make the 

correction. However, if it appears that the assessment year is wrong 

because the affidavit or NOI is a photocopy of a previous document, 

including the signatures, reject the affidavit stating it is not acceptable 

because it does not contain information for assessment work completed for 

the current assessment year.

(4) Verify that the BLM received the FLPMA filing and fees on or before 

December 30. 

(a) If the postmark date (private postage meter stamps are not 

acceptable as proof for the postmark date) is within the time 

period allowed and the BLM received the filing within 15 calendar 

days after the due date, staple the envelope to the original 

document to provide evidence that the assessment was timely filed. 

If the office was closed on the 15th day, the documents are timely 

filed if filed on the next business day. Make sure a copy of the 

envelope is filed in all affected case files. Use December 30 as the 

LR2000 action date.

(b) If the claimant does not timely file the FLPMA documents, prepare 
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an abandoned and void decision (Illustration 24). Do not refund 

the processing fee. Processing fees are nonrefundable under 

43 CFR 3000.12(a).

(c) In accordance with 43 CFR 1822.14, if a claimant tries to file a 

required document or pay a fee on a day the proper BLM office is 

officially closed, the BLM will consider the document or payment 

timely filed on the next day the office is officially open.

(5) Review the case file to assure the claims/sites are active and the claim 

names and/or serial numbers match.

(a) If they do not match, call or write the claimant/remitter, state your 

findings, and request that they give you the information needed. If 

the request for the required information is in writing and the due 

date has not yet passed, the claimant can provide the information 

on or before the due date. If the claimant then fails to provide the 

information by the due date or the due date has already passed at 

the time of the initial request, allow a 30-day response time. If it is 

an obvious error and the BLM can identify the correct claim name 

or serial number without contacting the claimant, notate the 

document with the correct information and initial. If you receive 

the information by telephone, prepare a telephone confirmation 

which documents the information received in the telephone

conversation. No new claims can be added to the document after 

the due date. 

(b) If you receive the FLPMA documents for closed mining 

claims/sites, notify the claimant that the claims/sites are closed. 

Do not refund the processing fees unless the receiving official 

discovers the closed claims. In that case, return the entire packet 

including the processing fees with no action taken. However, if 

the receiving official sends the packet to an adjudicator, then the 

processing fees must be retained and earned.

(c) If you receive the FLPMA documents for mining claims that the 

claimant did not record with the BLM, notify the claimant that 

there is no record of the claims. Do not refund the processing fees 

to the remitter unless the receiving official determines that the 

BLM has not recorded the claims/sites. In that case, return the 

entire packet including the processing fees with no action taken. 

However, if the receiving official sends the packet to an 

adjudicator, the BLM must retain and earn the processing fees. 

(6) Check the case file for FLPMA filings and processing fees previously 
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received for the current assessment year. If the BLM has processed a 

FLPMA filing for the current year:

(a) Check to see if the second document is a county-recorded copy. If 

so, place it in the file. Keep the processing fees if submitted.

(b) If it is a second filing from a different claimant, process as usual 

and retain the fees submitted. 

(7) Verify that the fee is sufficient for the number of claims/sites. (See Table 

I.)

1. If correct, continue to adjudicate.

2. If the FLPMA document was received timely but the BLM does 

not receive the required processing fees, the IBLA has ruled this is 

a curable defect. If insufficient funds are received, it is BLM 

policy that we apply the partial payment in serial number order 

until the money runs out. Prior to the due date, request the 

additional fees from the remitter either by telephone or prepare an 

Additional Requirement Notice (Illustration 25). If it is well 

before the December 30 due date, the notice should state the fee is 

due by December 30. If it is close to or after the due date, then 

require the remittance within 30 days from receipt of the notice. 

The BLM must receive the additional funds on or before the due 

date or the envelope containing the additional funds must be 

postmarked on or before the due date and received at the proper 

BLM office within 15 calendar days after the due date. Make 

certain the claimant has at least 30 days in which to submit the fees 

since it is a curable defect. If the BLM did not receive the fees 

timely after a 30-day notice, prepare an Abandoned and Void

Decision for the affected claims (Illustration 26). 

3. If an overpayment of processing fees occurs, prepare a refund. See 

Refund Policy in Section D of this chapter.

(8) Check for any address or name changes of claimants. (See Section L of 

this chapter to follow address or name change procedures.) 

(9) Copy the receipt and FLPMA documents and put them in all affected case

files.

(10) Complete data entry for FLPMA documents into LR2000 (AC 480 –

Evidence of Assessment Filed; AC 481 – Notice of Intent to Hold). Put 

assessment year in remarks. Enter the serial numbers in LR2000 using the 
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mass action screen (1 to 50 consecutive numbers). Complete date entry 

for FLPMA documents into ALIS (AC 900 – Evidence of Assessment 

Filed; AC 912 – Notice of Intent to Hold). Enter the assessment year in 

the assessment year field. 

I. Adjudication of Relocations and Amendments 

1. General. A relocation of a claim or site is the establishment of a claim or site that 

was previously recorded, but for one reason or another is no longer active. The BLM 

treats the relocation as a new mining claim, mill site, or tunnel site and requires a new 

notice/certificate of location and fees. (See Section E of this chapter - New 

Notice/Certificate of Location Adjudication.)

As provided in 43 CFR 3833.21, an amendment means the act of making a change in 

an active mining claim or site, such as omissions or other defects in the original 

notice or certificate of location that need to be clarified. The BLM may use an 

amendment to correct the legal description of the claim or site, the mining claim 

name, the date of location (if it is an obvious error), or to accurately describe the 

position of the discovery or boundary monuments.

An amended location notice always relates back to the original date of location, and 

an amendment is not possible if the original location is void. 

The claimant must record an amended notice/certificate of location with the BLM 

within 90 days after recording the amended notice or certificate in the local recording 

office. The BLM will not recognize any amendment to a mining claim or site until 

the claimant records it with the county. The amendment takes effect when the 

claimant records it with the local recording office under state law or such other time 

as provided for by state law. NOTE: The BLM uses the date of receipt for annual 

and quarterly reporting purposes. 

2. Filing an Amendment. An amendment may not be used to: 

a. Transfer any interest or add owners to a mining claim or site;

b. Establish a relocation of claims/sites which were previously closed for any 

reason;

c. Change the type of claim/site;

d. Change the date of location unless it is to correct an obvious error in the original 

location notice; or 

e. Enlarge the size of the mining claim or site or otherwise take in new ground that 

was not part of the original location notice (this requires a new location).
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3. Filing an amendment after the land is closed to mineral entry. An amendment cannot 

change the legal description after the land is closed to mineral entry unless it is:

a. Reducing the size;

b. Correcting or clarifying defects or omissions in the original notice/certificate of 

location;

c. Correcting the legal description; or

d. Submitting an accurate description of the position of discovery or boundary 

monuments.

4. Processing fee. There is a processing fee for each claim/site amended. (See Table I.) 

NOTE: If an amendment is being filed with the BLM in response to a 30-day cure 

notice and the claimant does not include the processing fee along with the 

amendment, DO NOT give the claimant another 30 days to cure because of the 

missing payment. The claimant only has the original 30 days in which to submit the 

amendment and the processing fee. The claimant can be notified the processing fee is 

required as long as notification and receipt are completed within the original 30-day 

cure period.

5. Adjudication of Amendments.

a. Receiving Official Steps: Receive amendment document, date stamp, and 

process receipt in CBS. Forward to adjudication or route for automated entry, 

then forward to adjudication.

b. Adjudication Steps:

(1) Verify that every page of the document has a legible date stamp. If the 

date stamp is not legible or missing, return to the receiving official for 

correction.

(2) Verify that the county has recorded the amendment. If the amendment is 

not recorded, return the document to the claimant unrecorded and earn the 

processing fee (Illustration 27).

(3) Verify that the county-recorded amendment along with the proper fees is 

received fees on or before the 90th day after recording with the local 

office.

(a) If the postmark date is on or before the 90th day of the local office 

recording, but the receipt date is after the 90th day, the filing is 
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timely if received within 15 days of the 90th day. 

(b) If the amendment document is received and/or postmarked after 

the 90th day of county recording, prepare a Rejection Decision or 

Notice (Illustration 27). Do not refund monies remitted. 

Processing fees are nonrefundable under 43 CFR 3000.12(a).

(c) In accordance with 43 CFR 1822.14, if a claimant tries to file a 

required document or pay a fee on a day the proper BLM office is 

officially closed, the BLM will consider the document or payment 

timely filed on the next day the office is officially open.

(4) Review the case file to assure the claims/sites are active and the claim 

names and/or serial numbers match.

(a) If the document is timely received and the serial numbers do not 

match, call or write the claimant/remitter and state your findings 

and request that they give you the information needed. If the 

request for the required information is in writing, allow a 30-day 

response time. If the information is received by telephone, prepare 

a telephone confirmation with the information that was provided 

over the telephone.

(b) If the BLM receives an amendment for a (1) closed mining 

claim/site, or (2) claim/site never recorded with the BLM, or if the 

amendment was (3) not recorded in the county, or (4) recorded but 

the BLM receives it after the 90-day period following county 

recordation, the BLM will return the document unrecorded and 

earn the processing fee. If the receiving official discovers one of 

the above-listed discrepancies or deficiencies, the receiving official 

may return the entire packet including the processing fees with no 

action taken. However, once the receiving official forwards the 

packet to an adjudicator, the BLM must retain and earn the 

processing fees. 

(5) Verify that the payment is sufficient for the number of claims/sites. (See 

Table I.)

(a) If correct, continue adjudication process.

(b) If insufficient funds, the BLM will apply the partial payment in 

serial number order until the money runs out. If applicable, call 

the claimant to remit the deficient fees that day. NOTE: The fees 

are due at the time of filing. If the fees are not received and 
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claimant cannot be reached by telephone, prepare a Rejection 

Decision (Illustration 28).

(c) If there is an overpayment of processing fees, prepare a refund. 

(See Refund Policy in Section D of this chapter.)

(6) If the amendment changes the township and range description, be sure to 

request a new Master Title Plat and HI. Check land status. Verify that the 

amended map and amended description are due to an inadvertent error on 

the original location and that the claimant is not attempting to actually 

change the location of the claim to a new township and range. If the claim 

takes in additional or different ground, reject the amendment. If the land 

is not open to location, process the amendment in accordance with Chapter 

V - Null and Void Decisions. 

(7) Check for any address or name changes of claimants. (See Section L of 

this chapter regarding adjudication of address or name changes.) Copy the 

receipt and documents for all affected case files. 

(8) Complete data entry for amendment documents into LR2000 (AC 635 –

Amended Location Filed). Complete data entry for amendments into 

ALIS (AC 004 – Amended/Corrected Location/Notice Received). Be

sure to change pertinent information in LR2000 or ALIS such as the legal 

description, acreage and/or name change, etc. If an amendment is not 

acceptable and the BLM returns it unrecorded, update LR2000 with 

AC 398 – Doc Returned Unrecorded (be sure to update action 

remarks in accordance with current data standards). 

J. Adjudication of Transfers of Interest to a Mining Claim/Site

1. General. A transfer of interest is a sale, assignment, transfer through inheritance, or 

conveyance of total or partial ownership or legal interest in a mining claim or site. 

State law governs the transfer of ownership to a mining claim or site. A transfer is 

effective in the manner and on the date provided by state law, not the date the owner 

records the transfer with the BLM. Note: The BLM uses the date of receipt for 

annual and quarterly reporting purposes. Additionally, the BLM does not keep track 

of each claimant’s percentage of ownership.

2. A Notice of Transfer Must Include:

a. The name and, if available, the serial numbers the BLM assigned to the claim or 

site when the notice/certificate of location was originally recorded;

b. The name and current mailing address of each transferee;
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c. A copy of the county recorded legal instrument or document used to transfer the 

interest in the claim/site under state law. Note: A mortgage or deed of trust is not 

an instrument used to transfer the interest in a mining claim or site. Even though 

the regulations do not require a county-recorded copy, transfers are regulated by 

state law and this will help the adjudicator determine when the transfer is 

effective; and 

d. The full processing fee.

3. Death of a Claimant: An interest in a mining claim or site is an interest in real 

property and is treated as such in state probate proceedings when a mining claimant 

dies. Upon notification of the death of a claimant, the procedures below should be 

followed:

a. If probate of the estate has been completed, the following must be submitted:

(1) A copy of the decree of distribution; and

(2) A copy of the death certificate.

b. If probate of the estate has not been completed, the following must be submitted:

(1) Evidence of the authority of the executor or administrator to act on behalf 

of the estate; and

(2) A copy of the death certificate.

c. When there is no will and/or probate proceedings are not required, the following 

must be submitted:

(1) A copy of the will, if one exists, or a notarized statement signed by the 

heirs that they are the only heirs of the deceased; and

(2) A copy of the death certificate.

If the procedures in Step b above are followed, the ownership record of the affected 

claims or sites will be changed to “the estate of --------, in care of [executor or 

personal representative].” NOTE: If the claims are located in a community property 

state and the laws in that state provide that a surviving spouse automatically acquires 

the deceased party’s possessions and property, a death certificate can suffice to 

change the records if the surviving spouse is listed on the death certificate. At the end 

of the probate proceedings, the new owner(s) of the mining claim or site must file the 

necessary document(s) with the BLM and at that time ownership of the affected 

mining claim or site will be updated accordingly. If there is no surviving spouse and 

no will, and there are co-claimants in addition to the deceased claimant, the co-
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claimants can publish out (see Chapter IV section G) the deceased claimant in order 

to have the claimant removed from the records. The full processing fee is required to 

update the records after a death is reported and the documents are filed. 

4. Notification to Claimant of Record: The BLM will only notify the claimant of record 

of any action it takes regarding a mining claim or site. Even if the owner records a 

transfer with the local recording office, we will not recognize the acquired interest or 

send notice of any BLM action, decision, or contest regarding the mining claim/site 

until the owner records the transfer with the BLM. The Department will treat the last 

owner of record as the responsible party for maintaining the mining claim/site until 

the owner records a notice of transfer with the BLM. In addition, the BLM does not 

accept mortgages, deeds of trust, lease agreements or options to purchase to support a 

transfer of ownership. Return these documents when received or note that the 

documents are filed with the BLM for record purposes only.

5. Association Placer Mining Claims – Special Requirements: It is permissible to 

transfer, sell, or otherwise convey an association placer mining claim at any time to 

an equal or greater number of mining claimants. However, if a transfer of an 

association placer claim occurs to an individual or an association that is smaller in 

number than the association that located the claim, then:

a. The discovery of a valuable mineral deposit must have occurred before the 

transfer; or

b. If there was no discovery prior to the date of transfer, the claimant(s) must reduce 

the acreage of the claim to meet the 20-acre per locator limit. A mineral 

examination is usually required to determine whether a discovery of a valuable 

mineral deposit existed on the date of the transfer; followed by a contest 

proceeding to declare the claim invalid. However, the adjudicator may request 

validation from the claimant(s) that there was discovery of a valuable mineral 

deposit. If the claimant(s) do not furnish evidence of a discovery, the adjudicator 

should request a reduction in acreage to meet the 20-acre per locator limit.

NOTE: Arizona developed a document with the requirements for transferring an 

association placer claim (Illustration 80) that can be used when writing to the 

claimant(s) to ask about discovery. If the claimants respond to the request for 

information regarding a discovery and send documentation, a geologist in your office 

should review the documentation to see if it is adequate to show a discovery. If the 

geologist does determine that the claimant has given sufficient evidence, the file 

should be noted, but since there has not been an actual mineral examination, the 

information from your geologist should only show that a preliminary examination of 

the documentation was done and that it in no way replaces a complete mineral 

examination. A Notice to the claimant may be used to document and accept the 

claimant’s discovery information (Illustration 81). The documentation submitted by 

the claimant may contain proprietary data and must be treated as confidential.
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6. Processing Fee. For each mining claim/site transferred, each transferee must pay the 

full processing fee specified in Chapter III, Table 1.

7. Adjudication of Transfers of Interest.

a. Receiving Official Steps: Receive transfer document, date stamp, and process 

receipt in CBS. Forward to adjudication or route for automated entry, then 

forward to adjudication. 

b. Adjudication Steps:

(1) Verify that every page of the document has a legible date stamp. If the 

date stamp is illegible or missing, return to the receiving official for 

correction.

(2) Review the case file to assure the claims/sites are active and the claim 

names and/or serial numbers match.

(a) If they do not match, call or write the claimant/remitter, state your 

findings, and request that they give you the information needed. If 

the request for the required information is in writing, allow a 30-

day response time. If you receive the information by telephone, 

prepare a telephone confirmation with the information provided 

over the telephone. 

(b) If a transfer for a closed mining claim/site or a claim/site never 

recorded with the BLM is received, do not refund the processing 

fee unless the receiving official discovers the claim is closed or not 

recorded with the BLM. If so, then the receiving official may 

return the entire packet including the processing fees with no 

action taken. However, if the receiving official sends the packet to 

an adjudicator, we must retain the processing fees.

(3) Verify that the transferor is an owner of the claim(s) and determine if they 

are conveying all interest and should be removed as an owner of record or 

only a portion of their interest and should remain as an owner of record.

(4) Verify that the money amount is sufficient for the number of transferees 

per each claim/site. (See Table I.)

(a) If correct, continue adjudication process.

(b) If insufficient funds, the BLM will apply the partial payment in 

serial number order until the money runs out. If applicable, call 
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the claimant to remit the deficient fees that day. Note: The fees 

are due at the time of filing. If unable to contact the claimant for 

the fees, prepare a Rejection Decision (Illustration 29).

(c) If we receive the fees with more than one transfer document, and 

the fees do not cover the total amount due, make a determination if 

the fees are adequate to process the earliest effective dated 

document(s) in their entirety. If so, finish processing those with 

the proper fees and prepare a Rejection Decision or No Action 

letter for any others (Illustration 30).

(d) If an overpayment of processing fees, prepare a refund. (See 

Refund Policy above.)

(5) Copy the receipt, notate documents according to your state’s procedures, 

and place a copy in all affected lead case files.

(6) Complete data entry for transfer documents into LR2000 (AC 396 –

Transfer of Interest Filed). Action Code 396 should be entered for each 

claimant transferring their interest in the claim. For instance, if there are 

eight claimants transferring their interest, AC 396 should be entered eight 

times with each entry having the name of a claimant transferring the claim 

in action remarks. Since AC 396 interfaces with CBS to earn the 

processing fee, the adjudicator should use the MC Mass Owner Update 

screen in LR2000 to make the entries because there is an option to note 

AC 396 to LR2000 that does not transfer funds to CBS.
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For complete instructions how to use the Mass Owner Update screen, refer 

to the Mining Claim User Guide found on the LR2000 homepage.

Complete date entry for transfer documents into ALIS (AC 586 –

Transfer of Interest Filed/Acknowledged). Make sure to update the 

customer databases in both LR2000 and ALIS to show the new 

claimant(s). If a transfer document is not acceptable and returned 

unrecorded, update LR2000 with AC 398 – Doc Returned Unrecorded 

(be sure to enter action remarks in accordance with the data standards). 

This action interfaces with CBS to earn the nonrefundable processing fee. 

Tie each new claimant name to each serial number in case processing in 

ALIS. Please be aware that you may need other codes.

K. Adjudication of Relinquishments and/or Abandonments

1. General. A relinquishment is a voluntary act whereby a claimant terminates their 

interest in a mining claim. There is no specific form or fee for filing relinquishments. 

2. Adjudicating a Relinquishment or Intent to Abandon.

a. Receiving Official Steps: Receive relinquishment or intent to abandon document 

and date stamp. Forward to adjudication or route for automated entry, then 

forward to adjudication.

b. Adjudication Steps:

(1) Verify the mining claim case file to determine:

(a) That the claims are active; and

(b) That the person(s) submitting the relinquishment or intent to 

abandon has an interest in the claim. If the claimant does not have 

an interest in the claim, send an Additional Requirement Notice 
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explaining that our records do not show that person as an owner of 

the claim, and request the person submit any documents showing a 

transfer of interest. If the person does not respond, or cannot 

produce such a document, return the relinquishment/abandonment 

document as unacceptable. If there are multiple owners, all owners 

must sign the document in order to close the claim.

(2) If all claimants signed the relinquishment document, send a notice 

accepting the relinquishment. The notice must inform the claimants that 

they are responsible for all reclamation of the claim. Send a copy of the 

notice to the surface management agency (Illustration 31).

(3) If not all claimants have signed the relinquishment document, send a 

notice to all claim holders accepting the relinquishment and notifying 

them that only the signees have relinquished their interest (Illustration 32).

(4) Place a copy of the relinquishment document in each affected case file.

(5) If the BLM has closed or is closing all the mining claims in the case file, 

follow your state’s procedures for closing a case file. 

(6) If only some of the co-owner(s) relinquished their interest in the mining 

claims, follow the procedures in steps 2-3 above except computer input 

would be AC 313 - Indiv Claimant Relq. Enter the claimant name in 

remarks. NOTE: The MC Mass Owner Update screen in LR2000 can 

also be used to notate LR2000 with AC 313. If the owner(s) relinquished 

only a portion of the land in the mining claim, follow the procedures in 

steps 1-4 above except computer input would be AC 312 - Relq Filed 

(Partial). Input legal description in remarks. Be sure to change the legal 

description, if necessary, in LR2000 if the owner(s) relinquished a portion 

of the claim.

(7) Complete data entry for relinquishment documents into LR2000 AC 311 –

Relq Filed (In Total); AC 312 – Relq Filed (Partial); AC 313 – Indiv 

Claimant Relq. Add the claimant name in remarks. Complete date entry 

for relinquishment documents into ALIS AC 780 – Relinquishment 

Filed; AC 781 – Relinquishment [Partial] Filed; AC 782 –

Relinquishment Accepted; AC 783 – Relinquishment [Partial] 

Accepted; AC 784 – Relinquishment Accepted in Part; AC 785 –

Relinquishment Unaccepted/Denied. 

L. Adjudication of Address Changes or Name Changes

1. General. The BLM does not require processing fees for an address or name change. 

However, make sure any name changes are merely a change to the name of the entity 
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and not a transfer of the claims. The claimant can submit an address change 

separately or through other documents submitted for recording, such as annual 

payments and filings. 

2. Adjudicating an address or name change.

a. Receiving Official Steps: Receive address or name change and date stamp. 

Forward to adjudication or route for automated entry, then forward to 

adjudication.

b. Adjudication Steps:

(1) If not done in a separate document, circle or notate the new name or 

address in red on the letter, affidavit, envelope, etc., date, and surname. If 

the name or address change involves the envelope, file the original 

envelope in the lowest lead file and make copies for subsequent files as 

supporting evidence.

(2) If the document does not list serial numbers, run an LR2000 customer 

information report for all active claims and attach it to the document. 

NOTE: The following instructions can be used to update the customer 

database, however, there is another option to do a mass change for all 

active claims or sites and make an entry for either a name change and/or 

an address change. These instructions can be found in Chapter VIII –

Reference under Section D – LR2000 Customer Processing Procedures.

(3) Update the mining claim customer database with the address or name 

change. If the claimant also exists in the case recordation customer 

database, notify the customer maintainer for case recordation (if different

than the customer maintainer for mining claim recordation) of the address 

or name change.

(4) For LR2000, update each serial number individually or use the mass 

owner update screen. Enter the following actions into LR2000: AC 170 -

Change of Address Filed or AC 171 - Change of Name Received using 

the date received as the action date. In remarks, type the claimant(s) 

name. In LR2000, use the MC Name/Addr Chg feature. 
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In ALIS, update customer information using the Maintain Customer form. 

This will update either the customer name or customer address or both. 

Update each case record using code AC 920 - NAME CHANGE or AC 

892 - ADDRESS CHANGE. For multiple cases, you can use the 

Multiple Case Processing or Random Case Processing forms.

3. Requesting a Correct Address.

a. Complete the form letter requesting a correct address (Illustration 33). Send the 

letter to a co-owner, attorney, agent, lessee, etc. Use AC 247 - Future Action 

Suspense in LR2000 to track the 30 days allowed for a response. When the 

additional information is received, be sure to remove AC 247 from LR2000 so 

that it doesn’t appear in a future report.

b. Enter AC 104 - Additional Info Required, using the date of the request. In 

action remarks, enter NEED ADDRESS and the last name of the owner whose

new address you require.

(1) When the corrected address is received, it is optional to enter AC 113 -

Additional Evidence Received into the database using the date of receipt 

of the correct address. In action remarks, enter RECD ADDRESS and last 

name. It is mandatory to enter AC 170 – Change of Address Filed with 

claimant’s name in action remarks.

(2) If the corrected address is not received, enter AC 888 - Undeliverable 

Address into the database using the current date. In remarks, type the 

owner’s name. NEVER remove an undeliverable address from the 

Customer Name database. Additionally, you should check the box next to 

the word UNDELIVERABLE in the update customer screen in the 

customer name data base. If the address is ever updated to a current 

address, the check mark will programmatically clear when the update is 

made. See below.
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Chapter IV – Special Procedures

A. Stock Raising Homestead Act Lands Adjudication

1. General. Stock Raising Homestead Act (SRHA) lands are lands patented under the 

Stock Raising Homestead Act of 1916, as amended (30 U.S.C. § 54 and 43 U.S.C. 

§ 299), or were originally entered under the Homestead Act of 1862, as amended, and 

patented under the SRHA after December 29, 1916. 

These lands are different from most Federal lands because the United States owns the 

mineral estate of SRHA lands, but not the surface estate (split-estate land). Patents 

issued under the SRHA and Homestead Act entries patented under the SRHA 

reserved the mineral estate to the United States along with the right to enter, mine, 

and remove any reserved minerals that may be present in the mineral estate. (See 

Section 9 of the 1916 Act in the Reference Section.)

NOTE: For lands patented under the SRHA and then reacquired by the United 

States, the procedures specified in 43 U.S.C. § 299 and implemented by 

43 CFR 3838, do not apply because the surface is no longer under private ownership. 

Once lands that were patented under the SRHA return to Federal ownership, they lose 

their status as “SRHA lands.” Based on this, a mining claimant would follow the 

standard procedures for locating a mining claim under applicable regulations. 

Additionally, even though mill site location is not allowable on “SRHA lands,” since 

the reacquired surface is no longer considered “SRHA land,” a mining claimant may 

locate a mill site on the reacquired surface. No opening order is required prior to 

locating a mill site.

Public Law (P.L.) 103-23 (SRHA amendments) passed into law on April 16, 1993, 

amending the SRHA of 1916. The 1993 SRHA amendments define the procedures 

that individuals or companies must follow prior to locating mining claims on SRHA 

lands for minerals reserved to the United States. 

Prior to locating mining claims on SRHA lands, individuals or companies must 

record, with the BLM, a “Notice of Intent to Locate a Lode or Placer Mining 

Claims(s) and/or a Tunnel Site(s) on Lands Patented under the Stock Raising 

Homestead Act of 1916, as amended by the Act of April 16, 1993” (NOITL) Form 

3830-3 (Illustration 34), accompanied by the processing fee identified in Chapter III, 

Table I.

In addition to the pre-location requirements, if the operations are located on SRHA 

lands, and the surface owner has not given consent, the locator must also comply with 

the requirements in 43 CFR parts 3809 and 3814 before they begin operating.

The surface owner may locate, record, and maintain mining claims and tunnel sites 
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after providing proof of surface ownership. The surface owner is not required to file 

a NOITL before locating a mining claim, but may choose to do so in order to have the 

benefit of the 90-day segregation period (referred to in the 1993 SRHA amendment as 

the exploration period).

2. Segregation Period.

a. On the day after the BLM receives a “properly completed and executed” NOITL, 

Form 3830-3, containing all statutory information along with the required 

processing fee, the BLM will begin the 90-day segregation period for the SRHA 

lands covered by the NOITL.

b. The applicant shall provide written notice of the NOITL to the surface owner(s) 

of record, by registered or certified mail, return-receipt requested. The notice 

shall be provided at least 30 days before entering the lands described in the 

NOITL and shall contain the following information (43 CFR 3838.12): 

(1) A brief description of the proposed mineral activities;

(2) A map and legal description of the lands to be subject to mineral 

exploration;

(3) The name, address and phone number of the person managing such 

activities; and

(4) A statement of the dates on which such activities will take place.

c. Entry by the applicant to the lands covered by the NOITL is not allowed until 30 

days after the surface owner has signed the certified/registered mail card 

indicating they received notification of the NOITL. During the remainder of the 

segregation period, the applicant may explore and stake the mining claims. The 

number of days remaining in the segregation period after the surface owner 

receives notification of the NOITL will vary. For example, if the field office is 

processing a mining plan of operations under 43 CFR part 3809 filed within the 

segregation period, the segregation period will continue beyond the 90 days until 

the BLM makes a decision on the proposed plan. Or, if the applicant had served 

the surface owner prior to filing the NOITL with the BLM, the number of days 

remaining could be up to the full 90-day segregation period.

d. If any statutory information is missing on the NOITL, the NOITL is not 

acceptable, will be rejected, and the segregation period will not begin until the 

applicant files a complete NOITL application and meets all of the statutory 

requirements.

3. Limitations and/or Restrictions.
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a. An applicant may not locate a mill site on SRHA lands.

b. An applicant may locate mining claims 30 days after the surface owner signed the 

certified card and on or before the end of the 90-day segregation period. The 

BLM does not require the applicant to record the mining claims within the 90-day 

segregation period, but the location date of the claims must fall within that period. 

NOTE: The 90-day segregation period continues for the full 90-day period even 

if the applicant withdraws or relinquishes their NOITL, either in whole or in 

part, prior to the end of the segregation period. Additionally, if the applicant 

withdraws or relinquishes their NOITL, the segregation period continues and 

the applicant or affiliate(s) may not file another NOITL for the withdrawn or 

relinquished lands for 30 days after the segregation period ends (not 30 days 

after the withdrawal or relinquishment of the NOITL).

c. The segregation period will expire 90 days following the filing of an acceptable 

NOITL with the BLM, unless the applicant files a mining plan of operations 

under 43 CFR part 3809 with the BLM field office during the 90-day segregation 

period. If the applicant files a plan, the BLM will extend the 90-day segregation 

period until the field office approves or denies the plan. In accordance with 43 

CFR 3809, the BLM does not require applicants to locate a claim before filing a 

plan of operations on SRHA lands.

d. After the 90-day segregation period expires, the applicant or anyone affiliated 

with the applicant may not submit another NOITL for the same land until 30 days 

after the 90-day segregation period ended. If the BLM receives another NOITL 

from the applicant or anyone affiliated with the applicant, prior to the required 30-

day waiting period, reject the NOITL (Illustration 35).

e. The term “affiliate” means, with respect to any person, any other person that

controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such person. The 

applicant of the NOITL and/or their affiliates may not at any time hold NOITLs 

within their 90-day segregation period: 

(1) For more than 1,280 acres of land owned by a single surface owner in any 

one state; or

(2) For more than 6,400 acres of land, owned by multiple surface owners, in 

any one state.

f. If the applicant wants to enter lands with multiple surface owners, the applicant 

must file a separate NOITL for each parcel according to the surface owner. The 

BLM must track acreage limitations per surface owner, and per total acreage 

statewide. Use the Case Rec LR2000 Case Info-Customer/Land report to track 
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acres. The applicant may file a single NOITL where there are multiple owners, 

but only if all those owners share ownership in the lands included in the NOITL.

4. Adjudicating the NOITL.

a. Receiving Official Steps: When the BLM receives the NOITL (Form 3830-3) 

along with the processing fee, the mail room will date stamp all documents and 

the envelope and transfer the package to accounts. Accounts will serialize the 

NOITL and process the fee. Accounts will forward the NOITL to the Mining 

Law adjudication staff, or route for automated entry, then forward to adjudication.

b. Adjudication Steps:

(1) Verify the NOITL is submitted on Form 3830-3 and the required proper 

processing fee (43 CFR 3000.12 (Chapter III, Table I)) is received so that 

the NOITL may be processed. The NOITL is not acceptable if the proper 

fees are not received and should be returned unserialized. If the NOITL is 

returned due to lack of a processing fee, be sure to cross off the date stamp 

showing the NOITL was filed at the BLM. If the NOITL is refiled along 

with the processing fee, the NOITL will receive a new date stamp to show 

when it was properly filed. If a telephone number for the applicant is 

provided, the accounting technician (or adjudicator) can attempt to contact 

the applicant and ask that they pay the processing fee by credit card over 

the telephone.

(2) Verify that the following Statutory Information is on the NOITL, which 

the BLM must receive before segregation can begin:

(a) Name and mailing address of the NOITL applicant (Note: phone 

number is not a statutory requirement); and

(b) Complete legal description of entire area covered by the NOITL. 

The legal description shall be based on the public land survey or 

another type of description that is sufficient to note the NOITL to 

the land status records.

(3) Perform Land Status.

(a) Verify the lands in the NOITL are subject to application. Print a 

copy of every patent covered by the NOITL and read them and the 

Historical Index (HI) very carefully to determine the status of the 

mineral estate. Place a copy of the patents in the NOITL file. 

Forward the information to the Title & Records section in your 

state to notate the Master Title Plat (MTP) and/or notate the HI. 

Place a copy of the MTP and/or HI in the case file. 
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(b) If the applicant provides the surface owner information in the 

NOITL, verify same surface owner owns all the land covered by 

the NOITL. A separate NOITL must be received for each parcel 

with a different surface owner. 

(4) Check the statewide acreage limitation (1,280 per surface owner and 6,400 

acres for multiple owners). Verify that the legal description and acreage 

match as shown on the NOITL and map. When checking the statewide 

acreage limitation, be certain that not only the acreage for the applicant is 

verified, but also that the acreage for an affiliate or suspected affiliate is 

verified. The acreage limitations are the combined acreages for the 

applicant and affiliate. If there is reason to believe that affiliates have 

exceeded the acreage limitation, a Notice should be sent to all parties 

requesting additional information regarding their affiliation. If the 

requested information is not received within the time allowed or 

information is received which shows the parties are affiliated and the 

acreage limitation has been exceeded, the latest filed NOITL will be 

voided and any claims located within the excess acreage will be declared 

null and void ab initio (Illustration 35a).

(5) If the NOITL is acceptable with the processing fee and all statutory 

information, post a copy of the NOITL in the Information Access Center. 

(6) Verify that the following Regulatory Information is received (43 

CFR 3838.11 and 43 CFR 3838.12):

(a) Total number of acres to the nearest whole acre;

(b) The name, mailing address, and telephone number of the affected 

surface owner(s);

(c) Evidence of surface ownership which can be a current copy of the 

County Assessor’s receipt listing the legal description and person 

or company paying property taxes, or county tax documents or a 

title insurance document;

(d) A copy of the certified/registered card showing proof of service on 

the surface owner. If the surface owner refuses service of the 

NOITL, or the NOITL is returned by the United States Postal 

Service (USPS) as “unclaimed,” the applicant must submit proof to 

the BLM that the applicant attempted service. To prove attempted 

service, the applicant must send the BLM either (1) the envelope 

used to mail the NOITL to the surface owner and clearly marked 

“refused” or “unclaimed” by the USPS, or (2) a statement from the 
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USPS stating they attempted delivery on specific dates. Proof of 

service, refused or unclaimed service, or last attempted delivery is 

the date of the USPS notation on the certified/registered card or the 

date of the card’s return to the sender, whichever is earlier. 

Pursuant to the SRHA amendment, service is made to the address 

of record noted in the county tax records. In accordance with 43 

CFR 1810.2(b), refusal of service is deemed served - under our 

regulations;

(e) A brief description of the proposed mineral activity, including the 

name, mailing address, and telephone number of the person who 

will be managing the activities;

(f) A list of the dates on which the proposed mineral activity will take 

place;

(g) A map that corresponds to the legal description of the lands in the 

NOITL and includes existing access routes proposed to be used for 

casual use exploration purposes, primary area of interest, and types 

of activities to be conducted; 

(h) If an agent filed the NOITL on behalf of another party, proof that 

the agent is authorized to act on behalf of the other party; 

(i) Telephone numbers of everyone filing the NOITL; and

(j) The homestead patent number associated with the lands in the 

NOITL and the county and state where the land is located 

(information required on Form 3830-3).

(7) All missing regulatory information is curable. The BLM will post the 

NOITL and note the land status records to begin the segregation period at 

the time the NOITL is received with all statutory information even if

regulatory information missing. If any of the above regulatory 

information is not received, the applicant will be issued a 30-day notice to 

cure. 

NOTE: If an amendment to the original NOITL is required, the applicant 

may amend the NOITL to correct regulatory defects as long as the 

correction does not include additional acreage. If the surface owner sells 

all or part of the surface to a new owner after the applicant records the 

NOITL with the BLM, the applicant does not have to serve a copy of the 

NOITL on the new surface owner. If the amendment changes the surface 

owner and the change is due to an inadvertent error on the applicant’s part 

to list the correct surface owner, the applicant must serve the proper 
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surface owner with the NOITL and the applicant’s 30-day waiting period 

would begin again after the proper surface owner is served.

There is no processing fee to record an amended NOITL. Place a copy of 

the amended NOITL on top of the original NOITL posted in the 

Information Access Center and in the NOITL case file. The amendment 

does not change the segregation dates.

(8) Acceptance or Rejection of the NOITL.

(a) If the BLM accepts the NOITL, prepare an acceptance letter 

(Illustration 36).

(b) If mandatory statutory information is missing, the NOITL is not 

acceptable and will be rejected and returned to the applicant. The 

processing fee (if received) will not be refunded (Illustration 37). 

Send the Decision certified/registered mail, return-receipt 

requested. 

(c) If only mandatory regulatory information is missing, the BLM will 

post the NOITL and the 90-day segregation period will begin 

effective the day after the acceptable NOITL is received. Prepare a 

30-day notice requesting the missing regulatory information 

(Illustration 38). If the BLM does not receive the information 

requested within the time allowed, the BLM will reject the NOITL. 

If the NOITL is rejected, the segregation period stops because the 

segregation would be considered improper since the NOITL was 

no longer acceptable. Additionally, since the NOITL is considered 

void, the 30-day waiting period before a new NOITL for the same 

lands could be filed by the applicant would not apply. The BLM 

will declare any claims recorded in connection with the rejected 

NOITL null and void ab initio (Illustration 39).

(9) If the BLM has an accepted NOITL on file, no other person, including the 

surface owner, may: 

(a) Submit a new NOITL for any land included in the NOITL during 

the 90-day segregation period; 

(b) Explore for minerals or locate a mining claim on the lands 

included in the NOITL; or

(c) File an application to acquire any interest under Section 209 of 

FLPMA and 43 CFR 2720 for the minerals in lands included in the 

NOITL.
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(10) Input into LR2000 Case Recordation: See WO IB 94-434 (July 20, 

1994) (Illustration 40) and Chapter VIII Reference Section.

(a) Serial Number; 

(b) Case type - 381401, MIN DISP-SRHA-NOI; or 381402, MIN 

DISP-SRHA-PLA;

(c) Commodity;

(d) Total acres;

(e) Applicant name and address; 

(f) Surface owner name and address. (NOTE: If the applicant and/or 

surface owner are not in the LR2000 customer database, then

request either the customer maintainer or another authorized 

person enter the name into the system);

(g) Interest Relationship codes used:

14 - Agent (person acting as agent for the applicant) 

26 - Owner (surface owner per the tax records)

01 - Applicant (person filing the NOITL)

(h) Percent Interest should always be divided among applicants only to 

equal 100%. For example, if there are two applicants, each would 

have 50% interest. Agents and Owners should always be recorded 

as 0% interest;

(i) Location Details – legal description on NOITL; and

(j) Action Details – See Chapter VIII Reference Section for 

Mandatory, Required, and Optional Action Codes.

(11) Prepare Posting Notice for the NOITL. Place a copy of posting notice 

(Illustration 41) in the NOITL case file and post the form with a copy of 

the incoming NOITL, map, and serial register page in the Information 

Access Center (IAC) for the 90-day segregation period. Be sure to (1) 

note the date of posting on the copy for the NOITL case file; and (2) send 

a copy of the NOITL to the appropriate BLM field office for posting. 

When the 90-day segregation period ends, the IAC should certify (using 

the bottom of the notice) that the Notice was posted for the proper period.
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5. Adjudicating Mining Claims Recorded in Connection with the NOITL. When 

claimants file new claims or tunnel sites located on land patented with the minerals 

reserved under the SRHA, you must determine if the claimant had an approved 

NOITL on file for the land claimed, or if the claimant is the surface owner. 

a. If you find the NOITL for the land claimed, make sure the land description on the 

notice or certificate of location and NOITL are the same and the claimant did not 

add additional SRHA lands that the NOITL did not segregate. There may be 

more than one NOITL for the area. Run the Case Rec Case Info-Customer/Land 

report using case type “begins with” 3814 which will show all NOITLs in a 

particular area by the dates filed. Verify that the location date falls within the date 

all NOITLs were in effect.

(1) Placer claim - If additional land covered by the mining claim is SRHA 

land and the claimant did not file the required NOITL, the portion not 

covered by the NOITL is Null and Void ab initio and the BLM must issue 

a decision regarding this land (Illustration 42). 

(2) Lode claim - If additional land claimed is SRHA land, that portion outside 

the NOITL is considered extralateral rights only. The claimant does not 

have any right to use, occupy, or remove any minerals until the claimant 

files a required NOITL (Illustration 43 – Standard Extralateral Rights 

Paragraph).

b. Check the location date to make sure the claims were located at least 30 days after 

the surface owner signed the certified card and before the 90-day segregation 

period expired. The filing of a mining plan of operations may have extended the 

segregation period and thus the timeframe for locating the claims. If the claims 

are located after the 90-day segregation period because the claimant filed a plan 

prior to the expiration of the segregation period, check to be sure the date of 

location is before a determination was made on the plan. The segregation period 

ends when the plan is either approved or rejected.

c. If a notice of location is received for a mining claim that is located on SRHA 

lands and no NOITL is found for the claim:

(1) Prepare a notice requesting the claimant provide:

(a) Proof that they are the surface owner; or 

(b) The serial number issued to the NOITL they filed prior to location. 

The name on the NOITL may be different from the owner of the 

claims (Illustration 44). 
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NOTE: The name of the person or company filing the NOITL does not have to 

match the name on the notice of location as an agent could be filing for the actual 

locators (American Colloid Co., Bentonite Corp., 154 IBLA 7 (2000)).

(2) If the claimant responds with proof such as a copy of the tax records or 

title documents showing that they are the surface owner, place this 

information in the mining claim file.

(3) If the claimant provides proof that they filed the required NOITL, update 

LR2000 with the NOITL information. 

(4) If they are not the surface owner or they do not respond within the time 

allowed to the notice issued, issue a decision declaring the mining claims

null and void ab initio for failure to file the required NOITL (Illustration 

45). They must comply with the NOITL process if they wish to locate 

claims within the area or appeal our decision.

d. Place a copy of the NOITL, map, MTP, and patent in the mining claim file. 

6. Mining Claim Recordation Data Entry.

a. Once the claimant records the mining claims with the BLM in connection with a 

SRHA NOITL or if the claimant is the surface owner, enter the mining claim in 

LR2000 in the Mining Claim Recordation data base. (See Chapter III – V New 

Notice/Certificate of Location Adjudication.) 

b. Enter the following required Action Codes into MC LR2000: AC 267 - Subject 

to SRHA, Action Remarks: NOITL Serial Number or Surface Owner and

AC 880 - Reserved Mineral Estate, Action Remarks: Type of Patent (for 

example SRHA).

B. Claims Located in a Powersite Withdrawal

1. General (43 CFR 3730). The purpose of the Mining Claims Rights Restoration Act 

of August 11, 1955 (PL 359), was to reopen to location lands that had been 

withdrawn or reserved for power development and other purposes, except for lands 

that:

a. Are included in any project operating or being constructed under a license or 

permit issued under the Federal Power Act or other Act of Congress, or

b. Are under examination and survey by a prospective licensee of the Federal 

Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) under an active preliminary permit that 

FERC has not renewed more than once.
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Locations made under PL 359 on lands withdrawn or reserved for power development 

within the revested Oregon and California (O&C) Railroad and Coos Bay Wagon 

Road Grant Lands also are subject to the provisions of the Act of April 8, 1948 (the 

O&C Lands Act). Special regulations for O&C Lands are at 43 CFR 3821.

NOTE: PL 359 did not reopen lands that were also affected by another type of 

withdrawal that prevents location. 43 CFR 3732.1. For example, if the lands are also 

covered by a withdrawal under the Pickett Act, the lands would be reopened to 

metalliferous minerals only. 

2. Adjudicating a New Mining Claim Filed under PL 359.

a. Receiving Official Steps: Receive new notice/certificate of location, date stamp, 

serialize, and receipt fees. Forward to adjudication, or route for automated entry, 

then forward to adjudication.

b. Adjudication Steps:

(1) Request or print a copy of the MTP for the case file.

(2) According to the procedures in your state, make a notation on the case file 

indicating it is a claim filed under PL 359. 

(3) Place a copy of the powersite reserve/classification in the case file.

(4) Following the procedures of your state, advise the claimant(s) that the 

BLM is requesting a report from FERC to determine if the FERC has any 

active projects within the boundaries of the claim(s). Some states may 

only send the claimant notification if the claimant did not originally mark 

their location notice PL 359. If your state does send notification to the 

claimant, this process is mandatory for placer claims and optional for 

lodes and sites. (Illustrations 46 and 47. NOTE: One is for placer 

claims and one is for lode claims, mill sites and tunnel sites.)

(5) Request a report from FERC to determine if there are any active licenses, 

permits, or preliminary permits for a prospective license within the 

boundaries of the claim. The letter will include a copy of the 

notice/certificate of location, claimant’s map(s), and MTP. The BLM 

must notify FERC even if the claim is only partially within the powersite 

area (Illustration 48a). (See Illustrations 48b and 48c for other report 

request samples.) As of March 15, 2011, FERC has new electronic filing 

instructions (Illustration 48d). FERC encourages electronic filing but will 

still accept hardcopy requests. NOTE: If you request the report through 

hardcopy, FERC requests you submit the original and seven copies of the 

request. 
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(6) Additional Procedures for Placer Claims. In addition to a notice to FERC, 

Subsection 2(b) of the Act provides that the locator of a placer mining 

claim located after the date of PL 359 (August 11, 1955) must conduct no 

mining operations for a period of 60 days after filing a location notice 

with the BLM (43 CFR 3734.1 (a)). NOTE: If a placer mining claim is 

located entirely within a powersite withdrawal that was opened under 

Sec. 24 of the Federal Power Act, a report request is sent only 

to the FERC and is not subject to the 60-day prohibition against mining.

(a) If the location notice identifies that the placer claim is in a 

powersite withdrawal or “filed pursuant to PL 359,” adjudicate the 

claim for complete information, timely filing, and land status, etc. 

If the BLM confirms the placer claim is within a powersite 

withdrawal, the BLM must process the claim as follows within 60 

days from the date of recordation with the BLM in order to 

continue to suspend operations, if proceeding to a public hearing 

(43 CFR 3734.1 (a)). Using a notice sent by registered or certified 

mail, advise the owner(s) of a placer claim that:

i. Their claim(s) is within a powersite withdrawal and the BLM 

has requested a report from FERC to determine if the lands 

are open to location;

ii. The BLM has requested a report from the surface 

management agency to determine if a public hearing is 

required; and

iii. Under PL 359, there can be NO mining operations on the 

claim for 60 days after the date the claimant recorded the 

notice or certificate of location with the PL 359 notation on 

it. The purpose of this 60-day period is so the surface 

managing agency can determine whether to request a public 

hearing to determine whether placer mining operations will 

substantially interfere with other uses of the lands within the 

placer claim. (Illustration 46) 

(b) If the location notice does not identify that the placer claim is in a 

powersite withdrawal or “filed pursuant to PL 359,” adjudicate the 

claim for complete information, timely filing, and land status. 

Advise the claimant, by 30-day notice, that the claim is within an 

area subject to PL 359 and request the claimant file an amendment 

noting the claim is subject to PL 359. If the claimant does not 

timely respond to the 30-day notice by filing an amendment 

making the claim subject PL 359, the claim will be forfeited by 
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decision. The 60-day suspension of operations does not begin 

until the claimant notifies the BLM by the filing of the amendment.

NOTE: If the BLM does not act prior to the 60-day timeframe, the 

BLM cannot further suspend claimant operations. However, even at the 

end of the 60-day period, the claimant cannot begin mining operations 

unless they have received surface use authorization from the surface 

managing agency.

(7) If the FERC reports there are no active projects that conflict with the 

mining claim, then the lands are open to location. After the report is 

received from the FERC:

(a) Notify the claimants that the FERC reports there are no active 

projects that conflict with the mining claim;

(b) Place a copy of the FERC report in the case file; and

(c) According to your state’s procedures, instruct Title & Records to 

notate the applicable records with all affected mining claims found 

to be in the PL 359 area. The applicable records could consist of 

the MTP, the HI, or the Index to Mineral Locations and Contests, 

depending on your state’s procedures. A sample notation to the 

Index to Mineral Locations and Contests is: Action Date – Use the 

date the claim is filed under PL 359. Remarks – Indian Girl Lode 

Mining Claim. 3rd proviso of Sec. 2 does not apply. Additionally, 

if a report is received from the surface managing agency (see Step 

(11) below) that there is no objection to mining and a hearing is 

not necessary, for placer claims add the statement “No objection to 

placer mining” with the date of the surface managing agency 

report. This step is not done in Alaska. Remove projects that 

have been vacated from the MTPs. 

(8) If the FERC reports there are active projects that conflict with the mining 

claim:

(a) Place copies of report and/or map(s) of the project boundaries 

received from the FERC into the case file;

(b) Determine if any claim or site is entirely within the project area or 

just a portion;

(c) Issue a decision declaring the claim(s) Null and Void ab initio or 

Null and Void ab initio in Part with a 30-day appeal paragraph. If 

the claim is null and void in its entirety, refund the initial 
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maintenance and location fees because the claim was null and void 

at the time the claimant paid the fees and the land was not open at 

the time of location; and

(d) If the BLM has not posted this project area, request to have the

withdrawal updated on the MTP. 

(9) If the claimant files an Appeal, see Chapter V – Adjudication of Appeals.

(10) If the BLM does not receive an appeal and the decision is null and void in 

part, forward to the appropriate office to have the right-hand margin 

notation revised on the MTP (if this procedure is done in your state) and 

update the HI or the Mineral Locations and Contests Index. If the decision 

is null and void in total, close the mining claim file and process the refund

before forwarding it to the appropriate office for records notation. The 

records notation step is not done in Alaska.

(11) Notice to Surface Management Agency (Placer Claims Only):

(a) Because a notice of intention to hold a hearing must be sent to the 

claimant by the surface managing agency (either the BLM or 

Forest Service) within 60 days from the date a certificate or notice 

of location indicating that the claim is within a powersite 

withdrawal and/or located pursuant to PL 359 is recorded with the 

BLM, expedite all actions including notification and requests to the 

surface managing agency. The surface managing agency may 

request a hearing after the initial 60 days, but the claimant is not 

required to suspend operations pending the hearing.

(b) Send notification to the surface managing agency, (the BLM 

district office or Forest Service), with a copy to other agencies of 

interest, requesting their review as to any objections and if the case 

requires a hearing to determine whether placer mining operations 

will substantially interfere with other uses of the lands. Include the 

claimant’s map, notice/certificate of location, and MTP 

(Illustration 49).

(c) Give the surface managing agency a specific date by which to 

respond. Keep in contact by email, telephone, or fax with the 

authorized officer to facilitate compliance within the 60-day 

deadline. 

(d) If the BLM receives a report from the surface managing agency 

that states there are no objections to mining, note the land records 

as stated in (7)(c) above. No further action is necessary.
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(12) Hearing Requested - If the surface managing agency requests a hearing

(hearings in these cases are similar to contests and heard by an 

Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)):

(1) Create a case in Case Recordation according to the procedures in 

your state. Create two contest case files, one for the ALJ and a 

duplicate for the office. If the BLM is the surface managing 

agency, also prepare a duplicate file for the Solicitor’s Office and 

include copies of the following documents (See Contest 

Handbook):

i. Notices/certificates of location for the claims within the 

powersite;

ii. Claimant’s map(s);

iii. Master Title Plat;

iv. Powersite designation/documents;

v. Decision to claimant;

vi. Notice to and response from the FERC;

vii. Notice to and response from the surface managing agency; 

and

viii. Copy of the applicable statutes and regulations. 

NOTE: If the surface managing agency listed the reasons for a hearing in 

their request, be sure to make a copy of the request and redact the reasons 

before sending request to the ALJ. DO NOT include the original 

document with reasons in the original file. Place the original request 

document in the duplicate file and make a copy for the Solicitor.

(2) Prepare Transmittal of Contest or other Proceeding for Hearing 

(Form 1850-1 Illustration 50) requesting a hearing according to 

the Contest Handbook. 

(3) By overnight delivery, mail the original contest case file and an 

original Form 1850-1 to the Office of Hearings & Appeals (OHA). 

Be sure to place tracking information in the office duplicate file.

(4) Send the claimant an original Form 1850-1 by certified mail 

return-receipt.
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(5) Transmit the duplicate file to the BLM Solicitor and prepare a 

transmittal memorandum outlining the main issues and any 

controversial issues of the case.

(6) Enter contest case in LR2000 Case Recordation per IM 91-375 

(see Reference Section for Contest data input). For Alaska, input 

data into ALIS. There will be additional action codes depending 

on what the ALJ orders, i.e., abandon and void the claims, remand 

the case back to the BLM.

NOTE: It is the responsibility of the surface managing agency to prepare for 

the hearing. If the hearing request is cancelled or dismissed, the ALJ will 

issue an order.

(13) Notice to Claimant – In order to suspend operations, the decision of

“Hearing Requested” must be sent by the surface managing agency within 

the 60-day period to inform the claimant(s) that the surface managing 

agency has requested a hearing. Placer mining operations cannot take 

place until after the hearing (Illustration 51). If the BLM did not timely 

notify the claimant(s), placer mining operations may proceed under an 

approved mining plan of operations.

(14) Posting Procedures – It is optional for the BLM to post the Transmittal of 

Hearing Requested in the State Office Public Information Access Center 

(IAC) for 30 days. When the BLM removes the Transmittal the IAC,

prepare a “Certificate as to Posting.” When completed, place the 

certificate in the case file (Illustration 52).

When the ALJ orders a hearing date, the BLM must post a notice of the 

time and place of hearing in the IAC for no less than 30 days before the 

hearing date. The purpose of the posting is to notify interested third 

parties of the date and place of the hearing. Any party, other than a 

Federal agency, wanting to appear and testify at a hearing in protest to 

placer mining operations must file a written notice of protest (request to 

testify) in the proper BLM office the notice of hearing is posted. The 

request to testify must be accompanied by the processing fee identified in 

§ 3000.12 and must contain the party’s name and address and a statement 

showing the nature of the party’s interest in the use of the lands 

encumbered by the mining claim. A copy of the request to testify will be 

forwarded to the claimant, the ALJ, and the Solicitor’s Office. The notice 

of hearing remains posted until the ALJ reaches a decision and returns the 

original file. When posting the notice of hearing, you can use a 

“Certificate as to Posting” (Illustration 52).

(15) Post Hearing - If the claimant does not file an appeal, the OHA will return 

the file to the BLM. Upon receipt of the file, the following steps will be 
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taken:

(a) Sign and date the “Certificate of Posting” noting that the ALJ’s 

hearing time and date remained posted until the ALJ reached the 

final decision. Place in contest case file. Merge original file with 

duplicate.

(b) Notify the claimant of the Judge’s decision.

(c) If the ALJ decision allows the claimant to mine, send file to Title 

& Records to have the appropriate records updated.

(16) Claimant (at their expense), must send a certified copy of the decision to 

County Recorder in the county where the claims are located (43 CFR 

3736.2 (c)). 

(17) If an appeal is filed, the surface managing agency or the claimant may 

appeal the ALJ’s decision. If an appeal is filed, the OHA will forward the 

case file to the IBLA.

(18) Request for “Withdrawal of Request for Hearing:” 

(a) If the surface managing agency decides they do not want a hearing 

after they have requested one, they can ask the agency counsel to 

submit a formal motion to dismiss (Illustration 53). Email the 

draft to the requesting agency for their review. The Authorized 

Officer must sign the “Contestant’s Motion to Dismiss without 

Prejudice and Withdrawal of Request for Hearing.”

(b) A Certificate of Service (Illustration 54) must be sent with a copy 

of the Motion to Dismiss to the following parties:

i. All claimants and their attorneys;

ii. All parties of interest (field offices, other agencies, etc.); and 

iii. The ALJ who received the original Motion to Dismiss.

(19) After receiving an Order of Dismissal without Prejudice issued by OHA:

(1) Place copy in contest and mining claim case files.

(2) Send copy to the surface managing agency.

(20) Complete data entry for PL 359 New Claims into LR2000/ALIS Mining 

Claim Recordation. LR2000: AC 669 - Land Status Checked; AC 265
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- Subject to PL359; AC 217 - FERC/FPC Report Requested; AC 216 -

FERC/FPC Report Received; and AC 211 - FERC/FPC Open to 

Mining. ALIS: AC 255 - Land Status Checked; AC 825 - Subj to

PL359; AC 901 - FERC/FPA Open to Mining; AC 152 - Report 

Requested; AC 153 - Report Received. For Hearing actions in LR2000, 

use: AC 223 - Hearing Ordered, AC - 224 Hearing Not Required; AC 

222 - Hearing Held; and AC 181 - Hearing Ended – PL 359. For 

actions in ALIS, use: AC 729 - Hearing Not Required; AC 730 -

Hearing Requested; AC 731 - Hearing Ordered, and AC 732 Hearing 

Held. For action codes in LR2000, Case Recordation, relating to a 

contest/hearing, see Chapter VIII – Reference Material. Other action 

codes may apply.

C. Conversion of Oil Placer Mining Claims to Oil and Gas Leases

General. Under the provisions of 30 U.S.C. §§ 188(f), an oil placer mining claimant 

may seek to convert an oil placer mining claim to a noncompetitive oil and gas lease 

under Section 17(e) of the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. §§ 226[e]). All the oil 

placer claims that the BLM could convert were converted to oil and gas leases. 

See 43 CFR 3830.92 for the criteria for this. 

If a claimant forfeits an oil placer claim for failure to file, they may not relocate and 

must instead follow and comply with the oil and gas lease regulations at 

43 CFR 3100. 

D. Mineral Locations in Reclamation Withdrawals

General. Mineral Locations in Reclamation Withdrawals - 43 CFR 3816. The Act of 

April 23, 1932 (47 Stat. 136; 43 U.S.C. 154) (Act), authorizes the Secretary of the 

Interior in his discretion to open to location, entry and patent under the general 

mining laws with reservation of rights, ways and easements, public lands of the 

United States which are known or believed to contain valuable deposits of minerals 

and which are withdrawn from development and acquisition because they are 

included within the limits of withdrawals made pursuant to section 3 of the 

Reclamation Act of June 17, 1902 (32 Stat. 388; 43 U.S.C 416). 

An application to open lands to location under the Act may be filed by a person, 

association or corporation qualified to locate and purchase claims under the mining 

laws. The application must:

a. Be executed in duplicate;

b. Be filed in the proper BLM office;
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c. Describe the land the applicant desires to locate. If surveyed, the land must be 

described by legal subdivision or by metes and bounds if unsurveyed;

d. Set out the facts upon which is based the knowledge or belief that the lands 

contain valuable mineral deposits, giving such detail as the applicant may be able 

to furnish as to the nature of the formation, kind and character of the mineral 

deposits;

e. Be accompanied by the processing fee for applications to open lands to location 

found in Table I under Section D in Chapter III (43 CFR 3000.12).

Upon receipt of the application by the BLM, the duplicate copy of the application will 

be transmitted to the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) along with a request for report 

and recommendation. If the BOR makes an adverse report regarding the application, 

the BLM will reject the application which is subject to right of appeal.

If the BOR gives the recommendation that the lands may be opened under the Act, 

the report will contain recommendations as to reservation of rights and /or the form of 

a contract with the BOR to be executed by the intending locator or entryman 

(claimant) as a condition precedent to the vesting of any rights in him. If the contract 

specifies a time of expiration, the adjudicator should check with the BOR to make 

certain the claimant requested renewal or extension of the contract. Claim(s) should 

not automatically be void because of the expiration date of the contract unless the 

claimant has intentionally abandoned the claim(s).

E. Deferments of Assessment Work

1. General. The Act of June 21, 1949 (63 Stat 214; 30 U.S.C. § 28b), authorized the 

temporary deferment of annual assessment work under certain conditions. A 

qualified mining claimant (a “small miner”) may obtain a temporary deferment from 

performing annual assessment work on their mining claims. They may include more 

than one mining claim in a deferment petition if the mining claims are contiguous.

If the BLM grants a deferment, it merely defers the assessment work 

(43 CFR 3836.20). The claimant must still complete the deferred assessment work 

for the deferred assessment year after the deferment period ends. The claimant may 

also elect to pay a maintenance fee at the end of the deferred period for the time that 

the claims were held under a BLM-granted deferment (43 CFR 3836.27(b)).

A deferment only applies when the claimant qualifies for a small miner fee 

waiver. If the claimant is not qualified for a small miner fee waiver, they are 

required to pay the maintenance fee and cannot obtain a deferment for payment 

of the maintenance fees. 
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2. Conditions that Permit a Deferral of Assessment Work (43 CFR 3836.21). Mining 

claimants may qualify for a deferment of assessment work if they have a mining 

claim or group of mining claims that they cannot enter or gain access to because:

a. Others own the lands surrounding the mining claims, including the BLM, and the 

land owner: (i) has refused to give the claimant a right-of-way; (ii) is in litigation 

regarding the right-of-way; or (iii) is in the process of acquiring the right-of-way 

under state law; 

b. Some other legal impediment such as an injunction from a court which prevents 

access to the mining claim(s); or 

c. The claimant has received a declaration of taking or notice of intent to take by an 

agency of the Federal Government.

3. Special Requirements for Lands Managed by the National Park Service (NPS). 

Correspondence rejecting or denying a plan of operations for incompleteness or 

inadequacy will not suffice for a deferment of assessment work. To obtain a 

deferment of assessment work on NPS managed lands, a qualified mining claimant 

must obtain a letter from the NPS and then submit that information to the BLM, along 

with other documents and information to support the petition for deferment of 

assessment work. The letter from the NPS must state:

a. The NPS has received and found the proposed plan of operations to be complete; 

b. The NPS cannot act on the plan of operations until it conducts a validity exam; 

and

c. The NPS anticipates completing the validity exam after the assessment year ends. 

4. Adjudicating Petitions for Deferment of Assessment Work.

a. Receiving Official Steps: Receive Petition for Deferment, date stamp, serialize, 

and receipt fees. Forward to adjudication, or route for automated entry, then 

forward to adjudication.

b. Adjudication Steps:

(1) Verify the claimant submitted the proper processing fees. See Chapter III, 

Table I.

(2) Verify the claim names and the BLM serial numbers to make sure they 

match.
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(3) Verify that the starting date of the 1-year period is for the current 

assessment year. The claimant should file the petition for deferment by 

September 1 that begins the assessment year for which a deferment is 

sought.

(4) Verify that the claimant(s) recorded the petition for deferment in the local 

recording office, including a copy of the petition they are submitting to the 

BLM.

(5) Verify that at least one of the claimant(s) of each of the mining claims 

signed the petition submitted to the BLM and also the claimant recorded 

the original notice with the local recording office.

(6) Verify that a statement that the claimant plans to file a small miner fee

waiver form by September 1. NOTE: The claimant(s) must also file a 

Notice of Intent to Hold by December 30 following the filing of the 

waiver form. If a petition for a deferment of assessment work is pending, 

the claimant must specify the petition’s date of filing and serial number on 

the Notice of Intent to Hold.

(7) If the claimant(s) are submitting the petition because the BLM or another 

party has denied a right-of-way, they must also describe (43 CFR

3836.23(b)):

(a) The ownership and nature of the land, including topography, 

vegetation, surface water, and existing roads, over which the 

claimant was seeking a right-of-way to reach the claims; 

(b) The land over which the claimant is seeking a right-of-way by 

legal subdivision if the land is surveyed;

(c) Why the SMA denied or prevented the present use of the right-ofway;

(d) The steps the claimant(s) have taken to acquire the right to cross 

the lands; and

(e) Whether any other right-of-way is available and if so, why it is not 

feasible to use that right-of-way. 

(8) If the claimant is submitting the petition because of other legal 

impediments to access the claim, they must provide full details describing

the legal impediments and submit copies of any documents that evidence 

the legal impediments (43 CFR 3836.23(c)).
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(9) If the BLM determines that the claimant warrants a deferment, issue a 

decision to the claimant granting the deferment and specifying the 

deferred assessment year (43 CFR 3836.26). Inform the claimant that they

must record a copy of the BLM’s decision regarding the petition in the 

local recording office (Illustration 55).

(a) The BLM may grant a deferment for one assessment year. 

However, the deferment ends automatically if the reason for the 

deferment ends. 

(b) The deferment period will begin on the date requested in the 

petition unless the BLM’s approval sets a different date.

(c) The BLM may renew a deferment for one additional assessment 

year if a valid reason for a deferment continues. 

(d) The deferred assessment work can begin any time after the 

deferment ends. However, it must be completed before the end of 

the following assessment year, i.e., the deferment ends on July 15, 

2009, then all deferred assessment work must be completed by 

September 1, 2010. This is in addition to completing the 

assessment work due for the next assessment year as well if the 

claim is still under waiver, i.e., the assessment work for the 2010 

assessment year would also have to be completed by September 1, 

2010. The claimant also has the option of paying the maintenance 

fee for the next assessment year, after the assessment year for 

which the assessment work was deferred.

(e) Alternatively, the claimant can pay maintenance fees for the years 

deferred.

(10) If the petition was timely filed before the assessment year began, but the 

BLM denies the petition for deferment of assessment work, after the 

assessment year has ended, issue a decision giving the claimant 60 days 

from the date they receive the decision denying the petition in which to 

pay the maintenance fee for the assessment year for which the deferment 

was sought. Inform the claimant that they must record a copy of the 

BLM’s denial of the petition in the local recording office (Illustration 56).

(11) Place copies of the petition for deferment and any decisions in the mining 

claim case file. The deferment takes the place of the affidavit of 

assessment work for that assessment year, but the claimant must complete

the work at a later date (see (9)(d) above).

(12) LR2000/ALIS. Deferments are assigned a serial number through Case 
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Recordation for money tracking purposes (WO IM 2004-070). The case

type for a deferment is 385220.

(13) Possible action codes in LR2000 case recordation: AC 633 – Deferment 

Request Filed and AC 634 – Deferment Granted. The action codes to 

use in the mining claim case file are: AC 633 – Deferment Request 

Filed, AC 634 – Deferment Granted, and AC 896 – Deferment Denied.

ALIS: In Alaska, enter deferment actions into ALIS. Since there is 

only the one fee and there can be multiple claims, there would only be 

a receipt for one serial number with the rest of the serial numbers, if 

there are any, would be put in the remarks part of the receipt. File 

the receipt in all affected claim files along with copies of the deferment 

request.

NOTE: See the following IBLA decisions regarding deferments: David 

Doremus, 115 IBLA 336 (1990); Horace S. Wilson 120 IBLA 395 (1991); 

Oliver Reese, 34 IBLA 103 (1978); Michael Greninger, 119 IBLA 383, 

386 (1991); A.J. Maurer, Jr. 36 IBLA 4, 9 (1978); Andrew L. Freese, 50 

IBLA 26, 87 ID 396 (1980), Clay Worst, 128 IBLA 165 (1994).
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F. Subdivision of a Mining Claim (Segregated or Severed)

1. General. Mining claimants may choose to subdivide (sell or otherwise convey) a 

specific portion of their lode or placer mining claim to another party. When the 

claimant executes and files the conveyance document with the BLM, the severed land 

becomes a new mining claim and the BLM treats it as such. Even though the BLM 

establishes a new case file and issues a new serial number, the claim still maintains all 

other original recordation information including the original location date. A 

claimant may segregate/sever a claim down to 10 acres, but no less than 10 acres. 

NOTE: There is nothing in the regulations that prevents lode claims from being 

severed; however, we will see mostly placer claims. 

2. Adjudicating Segregated or Severed Notices/Certificates of Location.

a. Receiving Official Steps: Receive conveyance/transfer document and/or new 

certificates of location, date stamp, serialize, and receipt fees. Forward to 

adjudication, or route for automated entry, then forward to adjudication.

b. Adjudication Steps:

(1) Verify the BLM received proper fees for both the new claim(s) and the 

transfer of interest document. The new claim is not subject to the location 

fee or initial maintenance fee. However, the BLM requires a nonrefundable processing fee to establish the new claim, which is the same 

fee required for new claims, and a non-refundable processing fee per 

grantee/per claim to record the transfer of interest. See Chapter III –

Table I.

(a) If the BLM receives insufficient fees, call the claimants and 

request that they remit the deficient fees over the telephone with a 

credit card that day.

(b) If the BLM does not receive fees, issue a Rejection decision, 

returning the document as unprocessed due to lack of fees 

(Illustration 57). 

(2) Verify that the claimant provided a map depicting the boundaries of the 

new claim.

(3) Verify that the original (or “parent”) claim was current, on the effective 

date of the deed, as to all annual requirements. 

(4) Verify that the copy of the legal instrument or document that operates 

under state law to transfer the interest in the claim:
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(a) Provides the assigned serial number of the original/parent claim; 

(b) Clearly identifies that the document transfers only a portion of the 

claim and that it segregates or severs the original mining claim;

(c) Provides the name and mailing address of the person(s) to whom 

the portion of the claim is being assigned;

(d) Provides the name of the Grantor(s). To create a segregated claim,

all owners of record must be listed as grantor; and 

(e) Provides an accurate legal description of the land contained within 

the new claim. If the legal description includes lands not in the 

original/parent claim or if the transfer for the severed portion of the 

claim is less than 10 acres, reject the recordation of the transfer 

(Illustration 58).

(5) Prepare the new case file according to the procedures in your state. If 

applicable, be sure to include: 

(a) The accounting advice (receipt) for the new file;

(b) A copy of the original/parent location notice and any applicable 

amendments; 

(c) Copies of the last maintenance fee documents, waivers, and 

affidavits of annual assessment that pertain to the parent claim 

from which the new claim is created;

(d) Copies of the applicable maps, status reports, Historical Indexes, 

Master Title Plats and any land status index data (powersite 

classifications, opening orders, etc.). Status review is not required 

because it was completed on the original/parent claim and the new 

claim ties back to the original; 

(e) Copies of applicable work sheets/logs (maintenance 

fee/waiver/assessment logs); 

(f) Copy of a new claim name list reflecting new claimant, serial 

number, and claim name; and

(g) The new quitclaim deed segregating the claim. This can be placed 

with the original location notice with a separation sheet on top that 

states, “DO NOT SEPARATE DEED FROM NOTICE(S).”
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NOTE: If the deed is effective on or before September 1, we must 

receive a maintenance fee or waiver for the parent claim and the 

new claim for the upcoming assessment year.

Example: On August 8, 2009, a segregated deed is executed for 

the Silly Putty #2A and filed with the BLM on August 10, 2009. 

The filing of the deed severs the parent claim and creates a new 

claim. The parent claim and new claim are now two separate 

claims, and the BLM must receive a maintenance fee payment or 

waiver for each claim on or before September 1, 2009, for the 2010 

assessment year. 

If the claimant filed a waiver for the parent claim during the 

previous assessment year (on August 29, 2008, for the 2009 

assessment year), the claimant for the parent claim must complete 

the 2009 annual assessment for both claims and a FLPMA 

document is required for both claims on or before December 30, 

2009. This is required even if the owner of either claim pays 

maintenance fees for the upcoming assessment year (2010). 

The claimant for the new claim must pay the maintenance fees or 

file a waiver for the next assessment year if the deed is executed 

after the current maintenance year begins (September 1). 

Example: On September 20, 2009, a segregated claim deed is 

executed and filed with the BLM; the claimant met the 2010 

annual filing requirement on August 29, 2009, for the parent claim. 

Because the 2010 requirements were met when only the original 

case existed, the new claim will require no maintenance fee or 

waiver until September 1, 2010, for the 2011 assessment year.

However, if a waiver was filed for the parent claim for the 

previous assessment year (on August 29, 2008, for the 2009 

assessment year), be sure that when the 2009 annual assessment is 

filed for the parent claim, a copy is placed in the case file for the 

new claim as well.

(6) LR2000/ALIS.

(a) New Claim Data Entry - When entering the initial information for 

the new segregated claim, copy the original/parent claim 

information to the new serial number. Change claimant’s name(s) 

to the new owners and delete any non-pertinent information such 

as past deeds, additional information received codes, etc.
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(b) Action Codes Required for LR2000:

403 - Location Date (Original date of parent claim)

395 – Recordation Notice Recd (Date segregated deed filed with 

the BLM. This code is entered through the CBS/LR2000 

crosswalk when the case is created in LR2000.)

669 – Land Status (Date land status was done on parent claim)

501 – Acct Adv in Lead File __MC###### (New serial #) 

484 – Location Year Maintenance Fee (only if the last 

assessment code/year is the location year, otherwise do not use this 

code on the segregated case.)

NOTE: Enter only the last assessment year codes. If the 

original/parent claim covered the maintenance fees/waivers/proof of 

labors, the applicable code(s) are:

782 - Rental/Maintenance Fee (or most current code)

685 – Addl/Curable Maint Fee (if applicable)

483 – Small Miner Cert Filed

480 – Evid of Assmt Filed

411 – Case Created by Transfer. Enter original/parent claim 

serial number in Action Remarks: Example: Out Of 

CAMC 21212. 

(c) See Chapter VIII Reference Section for Data Elements for other 

action codes you may be required to enter in LR2000 and ALIS.

(d) Original/Parent Case Data Entry – Action Codes Required for 

LR2000:

396 - Trf of Interest Filed (use date deed is received at the proper 

BLM office). Be sure the original owner’s name(s) is still listed 

for the remaining portion of the claim. In the general remarks 

enter: “Segregated Deed Received 00/00/0000 Effective 

00/00/0000;” and “See __MC###### Segregated claim.” Also, in 

remarks list the legal description of the portion of the claim that 

was segregated out. 
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410 – Case Segregated by Tfr- Use receipt date of transfer 

document and in remarks enter “INTO (insert applicable serial 

number).

(e) See Chapter VIII Reference Section for Data Elements for other 

action codes you may be required to enter for LR2000 and ALIS.

(f) Original/Parent Claim Legal Description - Remove segregated 

portion of land from the Parent Claim if it is a complete 1⁄4 section 

or more. An example of this would be if the original legal 

description is the NE1⁄4 and S1⁄2 of section 2, and the S1⁄2 of section 

2 is being transferred. The S1⁄2 of section 2 is removed from the 

legal description of the parent claim. If it is a lode claim being 

segregated, have the claimant provide new metes-and-bounds 

descriptions for both the parent claim and the new claim. They 

must also furnish a map showing the new locations.

(g) Update the Transfer of Interest log if applicable in your state.

G. Conditions for Acquiring a Delinquent Co-claimant’s Interest

1. General. The Mining Law provides for a procedure for mining claimants to remove 

from the title of the affected mining claim or site a co-claimant who is (i) delinquent 

in payment of their share of any required maintenance fees, or (ii) delinquent in 

performing their share of any required assessment work. Co-claimants may use this 

process if there is a deceased co-claimant and there were no provisions for 

distribution of the deceased co-claimant’s estate and there is no surviving spouse. A 

claimant may acquire a delinquent co-claimant’s interest in a mining claim or site 

under the following circumstances (43 CFR 3837.11): 

a. The compliant claimant has performed the required assessment work, made 

improvements, or paid the required maintenance fees;

b. The delinquent co-claimant fails to contribute a proportionate share of the 

assessment work, expenditures, or maintenance fees by the end of the assessment 

year concerned; 

c. The claimant has followed the procedures in 43 CFR 3837.21 to notify the 

delinquent co-claimant of the alleged delinquency;

d. If, within 90 days following the date the delinquent co-claimant received the 

notice provided for under 43 CFR 3837.21(a) or 90 days following the end of the 

publication period described in 43 CFR 3837.21(b), the delinquent co-claimant 

fails or refuses to contribute a proportionate share of the assessment work, 
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expenditures, or maintenance fees, the remaining claimants acquire the delinquent 

co-claimant’s share in the mining claim or site.

NOTE: A claimant may not begin action to acquire a co-claimant’s interest in a 

mining claim/site if the co-claimant is on active military duty.

2. Acquisition Procedures (Referred to as “Publishing Out” ) (43 CFR 3837.21). The 

claimant(s) must give the delinquent co-claimant written notice by mail using 

registered or certified mail, return-receipt requested, or by personal service. Or, if 

after a diligent search, the claimant(s) cannot locate the delinquent co-claimant, they 

must publish a notice in a newspaper nearest the location of the mining claims or sites 

at least once a week for 90 days (Illustration 59). NOTE: If the notice is not 

published for the proper time period, the notice is insufficient and the compliant 

claimant must begin the publication period again. Also, some states have different 

requirements for publishing out, so it is important to check your state requirements.

3. Time Allowed for a Delinquent Co-Claimant to Make Restitution (43 CFR 3837.22). 

The delinquent co-claimant must contribute a proportionate share of the assessment 

work, expenditures, or maintenance fees within 90 days after the date on which:

(a) The delinquent co-claimant received written notice by mail or personal service; or

(b) The 90-day newspaper publication period ended.

4. Notification and Evidence Required by the BLM of Acquired Delinquent CoClaimant’s Interests. In order to acquire a delinquent co-claimant’s interests in a 

mining claim or site, the claimant must submit (43 CFR 3837.23, 3837.24):

a. Evidence that the claimant properly notified delinquent co-claimant;

(1) If the claimant gave written notice to the delinquent co-claimant by 

personal service, the claimant(s) must sign and submit a notarized 

affidavit explaining how and when they delivered the written notice to the 

delinquent co-claimant. 

(2) If the claimant gave written notice to the delinquent co-claimant by mail, 

the claimant(s) must submit:

(a) A copy of the notice they mailed to the delinquent co-claimant; 

and

(b) A copy of the signed return-receipt card from the registered or 

certified envelope in which they sent the notice to the delinquent 

co-claimant. NOTE: The person who signs for the notice must be 

the delinquent co-claimant otherwise the requirements have not 
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been met. Use of restricted delivery should be used to ensure that 

only the delinquent co-claimant signs. Additionally, if the 

delinquent co-claimant is deceased, the notice should be to “his 

heirs, administrators, and to all whom it may concern.” A notice to 

a deceased co-claimant and his administrator, but not to his heirs 

would be deficient.

(3) If the claimant(s) published the notice in a newspaper, they must submit:

(a) A statement from the newspaper publisher or the publisher’s 

authorized representative describing the publication, including the 

beginning and ending dates of publication;

(b) A printed copy of the published notice; and 

(c) A notarized affidavit attesting that the claimant(s) conducted a 

diligent search for the delinquent co-claimant and they could not 

locate the delinquent co-claimant; therefore, notification by 

publication was necessary. 

b. An originally signed and dated statement by all the compliant claimants 

that the delinquent co-claimant failed to contribute the proper proportion 

of the assessment work, expenditures, or maintenance fees within the 

period fixed by the statute; and

c. A processing fee for each claimant to transfer the delinquent co-claimant’s 

interest, as found in the in Chapter III, Table I. 

5. Disputes Regarding Acquiring a Delinquent Co-Claimant’s Interest. If the claimants 

are engaged in a dispute regarding the acquisition of a delinquent co-claimant’s 

interests, they must resolve the dispute, without BLM involvement, in a court of 

competent jurisdiction or proceeding as permitted within the state where the disputed 

claims are located. The claimants must file with the BLM a certified copy of the 

judgment, decree, or settlement agreement resolving the dispute before the BLM will 

update its records (43 CFR 3837.30).

6. Adjudication for Acquiring a Delinquent Co-Claimant’s Interest. 

a. Receiving Official Steps: Receive documentation of delinquent co-claimant and 

conveyance documents, date stamp, and receipt fees. Forward to adjudication, or 

route for automated entry, then forward to adjudication.

b. Adjudication Steps:

(1) Examine the mining claim case file to:
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(a) Determine that the claims are active; and

(b) Determine that the claimant filing the notice is an owner of record. 

If the claimant is not an owner of record, return the documents and 

inform the claimant if they have proof of ownership, they can 

resubmit the filing accompanied by the proper nonrefundable 

processing fees for all transfer documents submitted.

(c) Check the effective date of any transfer received to make certain 

the transfer was effective before the claimant began the notice of 

forfeiture process.

(2) Verify if any identified claimant listed as delinquent has contributed to the 

maintenance of the claim(s). If the claimant listed as delinquent has 

contributed, they will remain as an owner of record and the BLM will 

reject the Notice of Delinquent Filing (Illustration 60).

(3) Verify that the claimant submitted all the required information for the 

Notice of Delinquent Filing. 

(a) If any information is missing from the delinquent notice filing, 

prepare an Additional Requirement Notice requesting the claimant 

submit the missing documents within 30 days from receipt of our 

notice. Send this notice certified/registered return-receipt mail 

(Illustration 61).

(b) If the BLM does not receive the additional information within the 

timeframe, prepare a rejection decision (Illustration 62).

(4) Check timeframes for publication dates to be sure the compliant claimant 

gave the full response time to the delinquent co-claimant. 

(5) By registered/certified mail return-receipt requested, send a Decision to 

the compliant claimant with a “cc” copy to all compliant co-claimants 

acknowledging the transfer of interest through the procedures outlined in 

43 CFR 3837 (Illustration 63).

NOTE: The BLM does not arbitrate or become a party to rival claimant 

disputes; they are civil matters and the State Court settles such disputes.

(6) If the delinquent co-owner(s) fails to reimburse the other claimants their 

share of the mining claim maintenance costs within the timeframes 

allowed the delinquent co-claimant’s interest in the claim(s), by law, 

passes to the compliant claimant(s) who made the expenditures or 
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improvements. 

(a) If the BLM received fees with the Notice of Delinquent Filing, the 

transfer document acts as the claimant’s notice of forfeiture. The 

effective date of the transfer is the day after all timeframes have 

expired. 

(b) If the claimant did not submit the fees with the claimant’s Notice 

of Delinquent Filing, call the claimant and ask them to remit fees 

via a credit card that day or submit the payment. The BLM will 

accept the filing only when the BLM receives the fees and all the 

other information required to publish out a delinquent owner. 

(Illustration 64). 

(c) If the BLM does not receive the proper claim processing fees, 

prepare a decision rejecting and returning the Notice of Delinquent 

Filing unrecorded (Illustration 65). 

(7) Place a copy of all conveyance document(s) in all affected case files. 

(8) Complete data entry for transfers into LR2000. AC 396 – Transfer of 

Interest Filed. Enter the delinquent claimant’s name in remarks. 

Complete data entry for transfers into ALIS AC 586 – Trf of Int 

Filed/Ack.

H. Adverse Proceedings

1. Mineral Contest Proceedings. If a mining claim or site is being contested, the 

claimant(s) must maintain the mining claim or site (pay the annual maintenance fee or 

maintain a proper waiver) until the OHA issues its final decision. 

2. Administrative Appeals. If a mining claim or site is deemed forfeited and the 

claimant(s) file an appeal, and a stay was granted by IBLA, the claimant(s) must 

maintain the mining claim or site through the appeals process. If the claimant does 

not request a stay, or the IBLA does not grant a stay, the BLM’s decision remains in 

full force unless the IBLA reverses our decision. The BLM does not accept filings or 

fees for abandoned or forfeited claims. If the IBLA reverses the decision, the BLM 

would then issue a notice allowing the claimant(s) 30 days to pay all maintenance 

fees to bring the claim/site up to date with the current maintenance year. NOTE: 

The claimant must pay the maintenance fees because the small miner fee waiver is 

not acceptable to be filed for past assessment years.

3. Judicial Proceedings. If the owner of a mining claim/site, which was declared 

forfeited by the Department, seeks judicial review of the Department’s decision, but 

does not obtain a stay of our decision, the mining claims or sites are not required to be 
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maintained under the regulations, because the forfeiture decision cancelled them. If

the Court reverses the Department and reinstates the mining claims or sites, the BLM 

would then issue a notice allowing the claimant(s) 30 days to pay all maintenance 

fees to bring the claim/site up to date with the current maintenance year. NOTE: 

The claimant must pay the maintenance fees because the small miner fee waiver is 

not acceptable to be filed for past assessment years.

4. Third Party Challenges. In cases where an adverse mining claimant states that the 

owners abandoned a mining claim on file with the BLM because the owner filed 

annual filings with the BLM but not with the county recorder’s office, the BLM will 

refer the adverse mining claimant to the state or Federal courts for adjudication. The 

BLM does not adjudicate private party disputes between rival claimants. If the court 

declares the mining claim(s) or sites abandoned, issue a decision to that effect and 

close the case. 

5. Private Contest. A private contest is an administrative proceeding within the 

Department of the Interior that any person can bring who claims title to or a legal 

interest in the land adverse to the title or interest of another for any reason not shown 

by the BLM records (43 CFR Subpart E 4.450) (See H-3870-1 Adverse Claims, 

Protests, Contests, and Appeals). These proceedings are rare because these third 

party challenges are usually resolved through state courts.
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Chapter V - Defective Documents

A. Failure to Comply with the Regulations

1. General. If there is a defect in a claimant’s compliance with a statutory requirement, 

the defect is not curable if the statute does not give the Secretary authority to permit 

exceptions. A defect is curable if the regulations require the missing information or if 

the statute expressly allows time to cure. 

2. Fatal Defects.

a. Forfeiture of Mining Claim or Site. Mining claims or sites are forfeited effective 

the date the BLM must receive documents or fees if the claimant fails to:

(1) Pay the full annual maintenance fee or submit a waiver request on or 

before September 1;

(2) Submit a listing of claims along with the maintenance fee payment on or 

before September 1;

(3) List any claims or sites they own on the waiver request and fail to pay an 

annual maintenance fee for the missing claims or sites on or before 

September 1; and

(4) Cure any defect in a timely filed small miner fee waiver request or pay the 

maintenance fee within 60 days after the BLM notifies the claimant to 

cure the defects. 

b. Abandonment of Mining Claim or Site. The claimant has abandoned a mining 

claim or site and the claim or site is void, effective the date documents or fees are 

due, if the claimant fails to:

(1) Record a new mining claim or site within 90 days of the location date;

(2) Pay the location and initial maintenance fee within 90 days of the location 

date;

(3) File an annual document required by FLPMA on or before December 30; 

or 

(4) Submit missing documentation within the time allowed after receiving a 

BLM notice that a filing was defective. The response time is usually 30 

days from the claimant’s receipt of the notice except as stated in paragraph 

2a(3) above regarding a defect in a small miner fee waiver. 
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c. Null and Void ab initio. Mining claims or sites are null and void ab initio (from 

the beginning) if located on lands closed to mineral entry at the time of location. 

3. Curable Defects. If there is a defect in the claimant’s compliance with a regulatory 

requirement, then the defect is curable. Claimants must correct curable defects within 

the time allowed in the notice sent by the BLM. The notice is always sent by 

certified/registered return receipt requested. NOTE: Never allow an extension of 

time in which to submit the requested information.

a. Other than a defective small miner fee waiver request, a claimant must cure any 

defective document within 30 days of receiving our notice. NOTE: The failure 

to file a notice of intent to hold required only by regulation is a curable defect and 

the BLM gives the claimant 30 days in which to cure. 

b. A timely filed small miner fee waiver may have curable defects. The claimant 

must cure the defects or pay the annual maintenance fees within 60 days of 

receiving our notice requiring the correction of the defects. Items not curable on 

a small miner fee waiver: 

(1) A waiver received with no signatures. If there is at least one claimant that 

signs the waiver, then the missing signatures can be cured. If there is no 

signature, there is no cure.

(2) A waiver that does not identify the claims or sites covered under the 

waiver. The claims and/or sites must be listed either on the waiver or on 

an attachment. The attachment must be timely filed with the waiver.

(3) A waiver filed by a claimant who is not qualified to hold claims or sites 

under a waiver. If a claimant applies for a small miner fee waiver and the 

claimant owns more than 10 claims or sites nationwide, the claims or sites 

will be forfeited. There is no opportunity for the claimant to then pay the 

maintenance fee (10-claim limit).

(4) An untimely filed waiver.

(5) A waiver filed through a fax machine is not acceptable because it does not 

contain original signatures. If a waiver is received through a fax machine 

on or before September 1, the adjudicator should try to contact the 

claimant to let them know the document is not acceptable and that the 

original waiver is still required on or before September 1.

(6) A waiver filed by a claimant that is not the current holder according to the 

BLM records. A forfeit decision would be issued to the claimant of 

record. If a transfer of the claim was completed prior to September 1, then 

the forfeiture decision can be vacated if the transfer document is submitted 
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as proof that the claim was transferred prior to September 1.

c. A claimant may correct defects in their location of a mining claim, mill site, or 

tunnel site by filing a county-recorded amended notice/certificate of location. 

This includes the date of location if it is an obvious error or omission 

(43 CFR 3833.20). The BLM allows the claimant only 30 days in which to file 

the amendment to correct the defects when given notice by the BLM. This 30-

day cure period is distinct from the requirement in the regulations that says the 

claimant must file an amendment within 90 days of being recorded at the local 

office. When the BLM notifies the claimant that the notice/certificate of location 

is defective and requires an amendment, the claimant must record the amendment 

at the local office and then file the amendment at the BLM within the 30-day time 

period. 

d. For placer claims or mill sites that the claimant locates using an irregular survey 

or by lot of irregular sections, a claimant may use the Rule of Approximation to 

determine allowable acreage. (If there is a question on this issue, consult with 

your Cadastral Survey Office.) 

(1) The Rule of Approximation applies only to surveyed public lands to 

determine maximum allowable acreage for land entries (placer claims in 

this part) where the excess acreage is less than the difference would be if 

the claimant excludes the smallest legal subdivision (10 acres) from the 

location or entry (See Henry C. Tingley, 8 Pub. Lands Dec. 205 (1889)). 

(2) The claimant may not use the rule to obtain more acreage than allowed 

under the applicable law. 

4. Enduring Responsibilities. If a claimant forfeits a mining claim or site, they remain 

responsible for: 

a. Reclamation. The claimant remains responsible for all reclamation and 

performance requirements imposed by subparts 3715, 3802, 3809, or 3814 of the 

regulations. Include the reclamation requirement paragraph in all final decisions 

(Illustration 6).

b. Other Responsibilities. The claimant retains any obligations and responsibilities 

imposed by other agencies or parties who have management authority over the 

claimant’s surface or subsurface operations.

5. Decisions and Notices.

a. Notice. A notice is correspondence that provides information for the claimant or 

requests the claimant to provide us with additional information. A notice should 

be sent by certified/registered mail if there is a due date or time limit for action by 
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the claimant and the BLM needs evidence to show delivery of the Notice. 

Notices do not include an appeals paragraph. 

b. Decision. A decision is any document in which the BLM notifies a claimant of a 

final action or an action that adversely affects the claimant(s) of record. A 

decision having an adverse effect on the claimant always provides the right of 

appeal and is always mailed certified/registered return-receipt requested.

(1) Forfeiture Decisions. The BLM will issue a forfeiture decision when (a) 

the claimant fails to pay the maintenance fee or file a small miner fee 

waiver on or before September 1 of each year; or (b) the claimant fails to 

cure a defect in the small miner fee waiver within 60 days after receiving 

notification from the BLM. It is optional to include the standard 

relocation information when issuing a forfeiture decision (Illustration 79).

(2) Rejection Decisions. The BLM will issue a Decision rejecting the 

recordation of a new claim or site when (1) the owner fails to file new 

certificates/notices of location with the proper processing, location, and 

maintenance fees; and (2) the owner of a claim or site fails to provide 

complete information required for adjudicating after receiving a 30-day 

notice requesting additional information. When the recordation of a new 

claim or site is rejected, the BLM will return the filing without further 

action, retaining any fees available for processing fees. The claimant can 

then resubmit their corrected (if corrections were necessary) 

certificates/notices along with the proper fees as long as the BLM receives 

them within the 90-day filing period after the date of location.

(3) Abandoned and Void Decision. The BLM will issue an Abandoned and 

Void Decision when the claimant (1) fails to record a new 

notice/certificate of location with the BLM within 90 days after the 

location date; (2) fails to timely file their required FLPMA filings, along 

with the proper fees, on or before December 30 of each calendar year 

following the year of location; or (3) failing to remit the proper fees for a 

FLPMA document after the BLM issues a 30-day notice to cure or filing a 

notice of intent to hold when given a 30-day notice to do so. It is optional 

to include the standard relocation information when issuing an abandoned 

and void decision (Illustration 79). 

(4) Null and Void, ab initio Decision. The claimant may locate mining 

claims, mill sites, or tunnel sites on any lands or mineral interests in lands 

owned by the United States which are open to location. Any claim or site 

located totally on lands not subject to location is null and void ab initio. 

Any placer claim or site that lies in part on lands closed to location is void 

as to that portion which overlaps the closed lands. Lode claims may be 
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partially projected onto lands not subject to location in order to configure 

the claim boundaries to secure extralateral rights. In this case, the BLM 

would issue a notice to the claimant stating that any claim boundaries that 

overlap on closed/segregated lands are not available to them.

NOTE: We will always include the Standard Reclamation Paragraph (Illustration 6) 

and the Standard Appeal with Stay Information (Illustration 7) in decisions notifying 

claimants that their claim is void even if the claim or site is located on lands managed 

by another agency. We will also include the Standard Reclamation Paragraph when a 

claimant relinquishes a claim.

6. Appeals. All final decisions issued are subject to the right of appeal. The BLM will 

include the standard appeal paragraph in all final decisions, or as an enclosure

(Illustration 7).

7. Preparing Additional Requirement Notices

Adjudication Steps:

a. Determine what additional information the BLM requires, and complete the 

appropriate additional requirement notice requesting the information. Allow 30 

days for response (Illustration 66). 

(1) If the BLM timely receives the additional evidence requested by our 

notice, process as outlined in the appropriate section of this handbook. 

(2) If the BLM does not receive the evidence, prepare the appropriate decision 

for failure to provide the additional information. Processing fees are never 

refunded. If the claimant fails to cure a new location, the initial 

maintenance and location fees may be kept since the claimant has held the 

claim or site for a partial period during the assessment year.

(3) If the claimant files an appeal, complete adjudication as outlined in the 

Appeals Section 12 below.

(4) If the claimant does not file an appeal, proceed as outlined in closing a 

case file (Section 14 below).

b. Review the certificates of location for the correct spelling of the claim name. 

Verify ownership and addresses so that the BLM mails the decision to the proper 

parties.

c. Mailing of the Notice. Complete the processing as outlined in Chapter VI 

Document Processing.
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d. Place a copy of the notice in all affected case files.

e. Complete data entry for notices into LR2000 AC 393 Decision/Notice Issued. 

State what information is being requested (for a Notice) or the reason a Decision 

is issued. For example, “map requested,” “clarify legal desc,” or “no annual 

filing.” Complete data entry for notices into ALIS - AC 718 Dec Issued. 

8. Adjudication of Late-Filed Claims.

Adjudication Steps:

a. Verify that the BLM received the claims/sites after the 90-day deadline.

b. Prepare a Rejection Decision with the 30-day appeal period (Illustration 67). 

Include the Information on Taking Appeals to the IBLA, Form 1842-1 (appeal 

form) (Illustration 68). You may include the regulations at 43 CFR 4.21 (a) and 

(b) Stay of Appeal (Illustration 69) as enclosures with the decision.

(1) If the claimant files an appeal, complete adjudication as outlined in the 

Appeals Section 12 below. 

(2) If the claimant does not file an appeal, proceed as outlined in closing a 

case file (Section 14 below).

c. Review the certificates of location for the correct spelling of the claim name. 

Verify ownership and addresses so that the BLM mails the decision to the proper 

parties.

d. Mailing of the Decision. Complete the processing as outlined in Chapter VI 

Document Processing.

e. Place a copy of the decision in all affected case files. 

f. Complete data entry for the rejection decision in LR2000 - AC 245 -

Recordation Rejected (use the actual date of the decision rejecting the 

recordation). Action code 245 closes the case; enter this code at the time the 

BLM issues the decision or after the appeal period. Complete data entry for 

decisions into ALIS AC 006 – Location/Notice Rejected/Denied). NOTE: 

Follow the data standards as to the dates used for all actions. (See Chapter VIII –

Reference Material.) 

9. Preparing Null and Void Decisions.

Adjudication Steps:
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a. Review the certificates of location, the map, the MTP, and HI to determine 

whether the claimant located mining claims/sites on lands closed to location, i.e.,

segregated, withdrawn, or patented lands. 

b. The BLM issues Null and void, in part, ab initio Decisions on placer claims, 

tunnel sites, and mill sites. The BLM should only do a null and void in part, if the 

part BLM is closing can be clearly described. If it cannot, the BLM should issue 

a notice or decision stating that a portion of the land included in the claim is not 

open to mineral entry and care should be taken to avoid conducting mining 

operations on land closed to mineral entry (Illustrations 70 and 71). For lode 

claims that lie in part on withdrawn lands, the BLM issues a letter or notice to the 

claimant stating a portion of the claim/site lies on closed lands.

c. If the BLM determines that the claims lie totally on lands closed to mineral entry 

or location, issue a decision declaring the mining claim(s) null and void, ab initio. 

Prepare the decision “Mining Claims Declared Null and Void, ab initio”

(Illustration 12). 

d. Review the certificates of location for the correct spelling of the claim name. 

Verify ownership and addresses so that the BLM mails the decision to the proper 

parties.

e. Mailing of the Decision. Complete the processing as outlined in Chapter VI 

Document Processing.

f. Documentation verifying the segregation of the lands in question such as patent 

documents, withdrawal orders, public land orders, connecting sheets, and a copy 

of the MTP and HI may be included as enclosures with the decision along with 

the appeal form, Form 1842-1, (Illustration 68). The regulations at 43 CFR 4.21 

(a) and (b) Stay of Appeal (Illustration 69) may also be included. Copy all 

enclosures, except the appeals form and Stay of Appeal, for the affected case files 

as supporting documentation for the decision. 

g. Complete data entry for decisions into LR2000 AC 239 – Declared Null &Void; 

AC 240 – Declared Null & Void in Part. Be sure to use the actual date of the 

decision which declares the claim null & void or null & void in part. Action code 

239 changes the disposition of the case to Closed. Complete data entry for 

decisions into ALIS AC 740 – Null & Void Decision; AC 741 – Null & Void in 

Part Decision). NOTE: Follow the data standards used for all actions. (See 

Chapter VIII – Reference Material.) 

10. Preparing Forfeiture and/or Abandoned and Void Decisions. 

a. Adjudication Steps:
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a. Maintenance fees and maintenance fee waivers are due on or before 

September 1 and FLPMA filings are due on or before December 30. 

Based on the appropriate date and considering the postmark rule, 

determine if the timeframe for submitting the maintenance fee or FLPMA 

documents has expired. 

b. Run the missing yearly report from LR2000. Use the printouts to verify 

which claims require decisions. Research all files for current maintenance 

fees, maintenance fee waivers, or FLPMA filings. NOTE: If the BLM 

requires a notice of intent to hold because the claimant switched from 

paying maintenance fees to filing the maintenance fee waiver, then the 

BLM will issue a notice to cure this defect since this type of notice of 

intent is a curable defect.

c. In Alaska, run the missing yearly report from ALIS in September for the 

forfeiture decisions and in January of the next year for the Abandonment 

decisions. Use the printouts to verify which claims require decisions. 

Research all files for current maintenance fee payments, maintenance fee 

waivers, or FLPMA filings. 

d. If the claimant filed documentation, verify whether the BLM adjudicated 

it and completed the data entry correctly.

e. If the BLM did not receive a maintenance fee payment or maintenance fee 

payment waiver on or before September 1 (postmark rule applies), issue a 

Forfeiture Decision (Illustration 72). If the BLM did not receive a 

FLPMA filing on or before December 30 (postmark rule applies), issue an 

Abandoned and Void Decision (Illustration 73). NOTE: The failure to 

file a Notice of Intent to Hold for mill or tunnel sites is a curable defect.

f. Review the certificates of location for the correct spelling of the claim 

name. Verify ownership and addresses so that the BLM mails the decision 

to the proper parties.

g. Include the appeals form, Form 1842-1 (Illustration 68). You may include 

the regulations at 43 CFR 4.21 (a) and (b) Stay of Appeal (Illustration 69)

as enclosures with the decision.

h. Mailing of the Decision. Complete the processing as outlined in Chapter 

VI Document Processing.

i. Complete data entry for decisions into LR2000 AC 393 – Decision/Notice 

Issued; AC 631 – Claim Abandoned/Forfeited. For AC 393, use the 

date the Decision was issued. For AC 631, ALWAYS use the date of 

forfeiture (September 1) or date of abandonment (December 30). Action 
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code 631 closes the case; enter this code at the time the BLM issues a 

decision or after the appeal period. Complete data entry for decisions into 

ALIS AC 890 – Abandonment Claim Void. NOTE: Follow the data 

standards as to the dates used for all actions. (See Chapter VIII –

Reference Material.) 

b. Special Instructions: For mining claims or sites included in a Forfeiture or an 

Abandoned and Void Decision which have been identified as having PL 167 

surface rights under the Surface Resources Act for pre-1955 mining claims, or are 

included within a Mineral Survey:

(1) Notify Cadastral to cancel the mineral survey.

(2) Notify Titles to remove the PL 167 notation for the affected mining claim 

from the MTP. 

11. Mill Site or Tunnel Site, Additional Requirement. If the claimant submitted a small 

miner’s fee waiver for mill or tunnel sites, the BLM requires a Notice of Intent to 

Hold (NOI) to maintain the claims. 

Adjudication Steps:

a. If the BLM receives the processing fees timely, adjudicate the NOI as in Chapter 

III - H Adjudication of Annual FLPMA Documents.

b. If the BLM does not receive an NOI and/or fees for a mining claim/site in the 

calendar year that the claimant located the claim/site was located, this is a curable 

defect. The BLM must issue an Additional Requirement Notice requesting the 

document and/or fees (Illustration 74). Allow 30 days for the claimant to furnish 

the required fees or NOI. If the claimant does not comply, issue an Abandoned 

and Void Decision with appeal rights. No extension of time will be allowed.

c. Complete data entry for notices/decisions into LR2000 AC 393 – Decision/Notice 

Issued and AC 631 – Claim Abandoned/Forfeited. Action code 631 changes 

the case disposition to Closed; enter this code at the time the BLM issues the 

decision or at the end of the appeal period according to your state’s procedures. 

For AC 393, use the date the decision was issued. For AC 631, ALWAYS use 

the date of forfeiture (September 1) or date of abandonment (December 30). 

Complete data entry for notices/decisions into ALIS AC 718 Dec Issued. See 

Chapter VIII – Reference Material and follow the standards for each code to make 

certain the correct dates for the codes are used.

12. Adjudication of Appeals. All adverse decisions are subject to the right of appeal. 

All appeals must be adjudicated and sent to the IBLA within 10 days of 

receipt at the BLM. If you cannot make this deadline, call the IBLA and ask 
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for an extension. Each state office can determine whether they will accept a 

notice of appeal by fax or email (75 FR 64659—Oct. 20, 2010). If the BLM 

receives an appeal after regular business hours, the BLM considers it filed on the 

next business day (75 FR 64663 – Oct. 20, 2010).

NOTE: Once an appeal is filed, the BLM loses jurisdiction over the case and cannot 

take any further actions on the affected claims until the IBLA renders a decision. If 

the BLM finds that their decision is wrong after the claimant files an appeal, the BLM 

office must contact their local Solicitor’s Office to request that the case be remanded 

to the BLM for further action. After the IBLA returns a case, the BLM office can 

take any further action as required. If the original BLM decision is wrong, the 

adjudicator should prepare a decision vacating, or vacating in part, the original 

decision (Illustrations 75 and 76).

Adjudication Steps:

a. Determine that the claimant timely filed the appeal no later than 30 days of receipt 

of the BLM’s decision, or within the grace period. If not timely filed, the BLM 

will reject the appeal (70 FR 64665 – Oct. 20, 2010).

b. Photocopy the entire case file(s) and place documents in a duplicate file for state 

office retention.

c. Photocopy the appeal and the decision for the Field Solicitor.

d. It is optional to send an Appeal Acknowledgement Letter to the claimants. A 

copy of this letter goes in the original and duplicate files (Illustration 77).

e. Send an Appeal Transmittal Notice to the IBLA by certified mail return-receipt 

requested or overnight mail service. It should include a contact person, telephone 

number, and fax number (Illustrations 78a, 78b, and 78c). Staple the original of 

this transmittal on the front of the lowest lead file. Place a copy in each original 

and each duplicate file. Send a copy to the Field Solicitor. If the case is unique, 

copy the Washington Office.

f. Complete data entry for appeals into LR2000 AC 120 – Appeal Filed. Complete 

data entry for appeals into ALIS AC 700 – Appeal Filed. (See Chapter VIII –

Reference Material.) NOTE: Be sure to add the IBLA docket number to action 

remarks for AC 120 when the docket number is received from the IBLA.

13. When the Case Returns From the IBLA. The IBLA decision constitutes the final 

agency action and is effective on the date of issuance of the BLM decision, unless 

indicated otherwise. Or, if the decision was issued and closed by operation of law, 

use the filing deadline as the effective date, i.e., September 1, or December 30.
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a. Types of IBLA Decisions and Orders. An IBLA decision or order takes one of 

three actions: (1) allows the BLM's decision to stand; (2) changes the BLM’s 

decision; or (3) directs the BLM to take further action. The IBLA uses these 

terms to describe the action it takes: 

(1) Affirmed. The IBLA upholds the decision and accepts the BLM’s 

reasons for taking the action. 

(2) Affirmed as Modified. The IBLA determines that the BLM’s decision 

was correct but does not accept one or more of BLM’s reasons for taking 

the action.

(3) Vacated. The IBLA finds the decision was incorrect and overturns the 

BLM decision. The case is then remanded to the BLM for further 

adjudication consistent with the IBLA's decision. 

(4) Set Aside. The IBLA is unable to conclude whether the decision is correct 

or incorrect. For example, the decision may be correct, but the record on 

appeal is insufficient to support the action. 

(5) Remanded. The IBLA sends the case back to the BLM for reasons such 

as an incomplete record, an inadequate decision, the need to develop more 

information, or the need to implement IBLA’s decision. 

(6) Reversed. The IBLA determines that the BLM decision is incorrect and 

orders the BLM to grant the appellant’s request and complete the action 

which was appealed. 

(7) Referred for Hearing. The IBLA determines that material issues of fact 

existed that could not be resolved on the basis of the record before it, and 

refers the matter to the Hearings Division for assignment to an 

Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) to convene a hearing. The order or 

decision sometimes includes instructions concerning the issues for 

resolution. The ALJ usually makes an initial decision, which, unless 

appealed back to IBLA, is final for the Department. 

b. Implementing the IBLA Decision. Implement the IBLA’s decision based upon 

its instructions. When the IBLA affirms the decision, take the action cited in the 

BLM decision. For example, if the BLM rejected a late-filed Certificate of 

Location, close the case file following your state office procedures. Note the case 

record and make the appropriate LR2000/ALIS entry. If the IBLA decides in any 

other manner, such as a reversal, follow their instructions for the next steps. 

c. Reconsideration. The BLM or the appellant may request that the IBLA 

reconsider their original decision. 
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(1) Petition for Reconsideration. A petition for reconsideration can be filed 

by the appellant or the BLM. It must be filed within 60 days of the date of 

the IBLA decision. It must specify the error in IBLA’s decision and 

include all arguments and supporting documents. The petition may 

request that IBLA stay the effectiveness of the decision. No answer to the 

petition is required unless ordered by IBLA. The filing, pendency, or 

denial of a petition does not stay the effectiveness or affect the finality of 

the decision unless ordered by IBLA. A petition need not be filed to 

exhaust administrative remedies.

(2) What IBLA Requires for the Reconsideration. The IBLA does not 

grant a reconsideration to review arguments previously raised by the 

parties. The petitioner must present either convincing new legal 

arguments or relevant newly discovered evidence unavailable when the 

petitioner filed the notice of appeal. Petitions must state exactly the error 

claimed and include all arguments and supporting documents. If you think 

it is appropriate for the BLM to file a petition of reconsideration, discuss 

the matter with your supervisor and Regional Solicitor. 

d. Hearings after Appeal to IBLA. No further hearing will be allowed in 

connection with the appeal to IBLA. After considering the evidence, the IBLA

may remand the case for further hearing if the IBLA considers this necessary to 

develop the facts. Additional evidence submitted after the close of a hearing can 

be used only to determine whether there is a basis for ordering a further hearing. 

The claimant can also appeal to the Director and/or the Secretary.

e. Court Appeals. The appellant may appeal the IBLA decision in the Federal 

District Court where the mining claim is located. The statute of limitations for a 

party seeking review of an IBLA mining law decision in Federal District Court is 

6 years from the date of the IBLA or Secretarial decision (see 28 USC 2401 

[1988]). A district court’s decision is appealable to the appropriate U.S. Circuit 

Court of Appeals. The U.S. Supreme Court, at its discretion, may review the 

Circuit Court decision. 

If the claimant takes the case to Federal court after the IBLA decision, and the 

subsequent court decision calls for further BLM action, the state office will 

implement the court’s decision. Update the LR2000/ALIS database, as 

appropriate. If the court remands the case for further work, the case will go back 

to IBLA. Pursuant to 43 CFR 4.29, the IBLA will maintain control of the case 

and direct the BLM as to what is required to meet the court’s directives.

14. Steps for Closing the Case File if No Appeal is Filed. According to each state’s 

procedures, the BLM can close a case at the time the BLM issues a decision or 

after the appeal period is over. Even if the claimant files an appeal, the BLM 

considers the case closed. However, if a claimant requests a stay and the IBLA 

grants the stay, the BLM would reopen the case.
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Adjudication Steps:

a. Determine that the time period allowed for filing an appeal has expired. Refer to 

the certified card and begin counting the days after the claimant receives the 

decision. The 30thday must be a working day. If the 30th day falls on a weekend 

or holiday, then use the first working day following the weekend or holiday. If 

the certified receipt has not come back, put a tracer on it before closing the 

decision. You may also check the United States Postal Service online tracking 

system website at: www.usps.com/shipping/trackandconfirm.htm. NOTE: If 

there is no record of the certified/registered card, the BLM will reissue the 

decision or notice.

b. Stamp or notate the copy of the decision letter “No Appeal Filed. This Decision 

Final.” Add today’s date and initial. NOTE: Follow the data standards when 

entering actions in LR2000 or ALIS that close cases. DO NOT USE the end of 

the appeal period date as the date to close the case in LR2000 or ALIS.

c. Stamp or notate the reason for closure on the affected certificate/notice of location 

and any amendments. NOTE: Do this step only if this is according to your 

state’s procedures.

d. If all the mining claims in the case file are closed, stamp “CLOSED CASE” on 

the outside of the case file jacket. Also, indicate the date of closure on the outside 

of the case file jacket or according to your state’s procedures.

e. Complete steps to issue a refund to the claimant, if it is due. (See Chapter III.)

f. If the case was not closed at the time the BLM issued the decision, complete data 

entry for decisions into LR2000 or ALIS to make certain the disposition is 

changed to Closed. NOTE: Follow the data standards when entering actions in 

LR2000 or ALIS that close cases. DO NOT USE the end of the appeal period 

date as the date to close the case in LR2000 or ALIS. (See Chapter VIII –

Reference Material.) 
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Chapter VI – Case Management

A. Document Processing

1. Correspondence Preparation.

a. Type the appropriate letter, notice, or decision. 

b. Prepare all correspondence as follows:

(1) One original signed copy for each claimant of record. If the claimants all 

reside at the same address, send one original signed copy to the address, 

listing all the claimants. Depending on the situation, you can decide to 

send each claimant a signed original even if they all have the same address. 

For instance, if you want a separate delivery notice for each claimant, send 

each claimant the correspondence by certified return-receipt requested.

(2) One copy of the original for each case file affected by the correspondence.

(3) One copy of the original for cc and bc copies. The original and cc copy do 

not have any notation as to the bc copies being sent. You may need 

additional copies based upon your office procedures.

c. Prepare an envelope. (Use the United States Postal Service (USPS) Addressing 

Standards, Publication 28, as the standard in the formatting and content of address 

information --WO IM No. 2001-211) UPPERCASE LETTERS ARE 

PREFERRED.

d. Prepare a certified/registered card or overnight delivery service envelope, if you 

need evidence that the claimant received the document. 

(1) Certified/registered mail or overnight delivery to all owners of record. (See 

IV.1.b.(1).)

(2) Regular mail to all cc and bc copies. There may be a situation that requires 

a cc copy to also be sent by certified/registered mail.

e. If the correspondence requires further action, enter AC 247 - Future Action 

Suspense in LR2000/ALIS for each case file affected. Future action date should 

allow enough time for delivery of the correspondence in addition to the response 

time afforded the claimants (either 30 or 60 days from receipt). NOTE: Since AC 

247 involves a follow-up action, always be sure to remove AC 247 when the 

follow-up action is completed. 

f. Signatures on correspondence are in accordance with the Delegation of Authority 
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manual. 

2. Certified Mail and/or Registered Mail. The BLM must send notices and decisions 

which require a response from the mining claimant by certified/registered mail. Send 

certified if within the United States, and send registered if it is International Mail. 

Type “CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN-RECEIPT REQUESTED” or “REGISTERED

MAIL” at the beginning of such notices or decisions and indicate the 

certified/registered number on the case file copy for tracking purposes. Process 

certified/registered mail as follows: 

a. Prepare a certified return-receipt card or registered card using the USPS addressing 

standards. LIST ALL OWNERS, EVEN IF SEVERAL ARE LISTED AT THE 

SAME ADDRESS, ON THE CARD. DO NOT USE ET AL. YOU MAY NEED 

TO USE TWO CERTIFIED/REGISTERED CARDS. (In some instances, you 

may want to serve each party its own copy so you know who has received it (43 

CFR 1810.2)). Check the box on the card showing certified or registered as type 

of service and include the certified/registered number in the appropriate place on 

the card. The card may also include today’s date, your office code, surname, and 

every lead file number. 

b. Place the certified/registered number label in the center at the top of the envelope. 

Place the certified/registered card on the back of a regular envelope and on the 

front of a large envelope.

c. Prepare the certified/registered log sheet including today’s date, mining claim, the 

certified/registered number, name and address, surname, office code, and the 

lowest serial number of the affected case files. (This step may be done elsewhere 

in your office.)

d. Use the same procedures for overnight delivery.

3. Filing Procedures When Return-Receipt Cards Are Returned from the USPS. Identify 

the affected lead file numbers on the certified/registered card.

a. Pull the case file(s) identified on the certified/registered card and double-check the 

certified/registered card number with the “written number” on the case file copy of 

the decision. BE AWARE there may be more than one decision in the case file. 

b. Check the signature as well as the date signed. If the date is not on the card, the 

official/effective date will be the BLM’s receipt date stamp. You can also check 

online at the USPS tracking website to see when the USPS delivered the 

document. If you do this, make a copy of the tracking information for each of the 

case files.

c. Make copies of the certified/registered card for any additional files.
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d. Affix the original certified/registered card (with the receiving signature up) to the 

decision according to your state procedures. It is best not to cover any information 

on the decision. You may attach the certified/registered card to another sheet of 

paper. Remember to staple this additional sheet to the decision. Include the 

copies, if any, of the certified/registered card in any additional files.

e. Return the file(s) to Docket. 

f. If using overnight delivery, use the date the package was delivered. You can also 

check the delivery service Internet tracking system to verify the delivery date.

4. Returned Mail

a. Review the envelope to determine if the USPS stamped it “Refused,”

“Unclaimed,” “Moved Forwarding Order Expired,” “No Forwarding Address on 

File,” or “Address Unknown.” Sometimes, if the claimant has moved and their 

forwarding order with the USPS has expired, the USPS will place a sticker on the 

envelope that shows the new address. The BLM can use this as our notification of 

an address change (See Chapter III - Address Changes).

b. Process returned mail according to your state’s policies. Each case file needs to be 

documented that the mailing was returned, either by making a notation on the 

correspondence that it was returned and why, or filing the envelope with a notation 

of what was in it. Place copies in each pertinent case file. Generally, we will not 

resend it via regular mail; however, if mail comes back with a new address, we can 

re-mail it (certified/registered, if applicable). Use the date the envelope is returned 

to the BLM as the date of receipt for computer notations and for calculating 

closure dates. If the claimant submitted an address change, prepare an envelope 

using the USPS address standards. Document each case file with the date that the 

BLM mailed it to the new address. 

c. Update customer information in LR2000/ALIS if the claimant submits a new 

address. See Section A. 5 below.

d. If no address is available, update LR2000 with AC 888 or ALIS with AC 916 -

Undeliverable Address for each active claim listed under the claimant and note 

each case file. Be sure to enter the claimant’s name in Action Remarks if there is 

more than one claimant. If or when the BLM receives a new address, the BLM 

will delete these codes. Additionally, in the customer data base in the update 

screen, there is a box for each customer that can be checked if the address is no 

longer a good address. This box should be checked each time an office receives 

notification that the claimant no longer has a valid mailing address. If the address 

eventually gets updated, then the check mark in the box will programmatically be 

removed.
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5. Entering New Names and Addresses in LR2000/ALIS. In some states a customer 

maintainer will enter this information, and in others an adjudicator may enter it. 

Follow the procedures in Chapter VIII – Reference for proper data entry of customer 

information. 

B. File Maintenance

1. List of Documents Typically Found in a Mining Claim Case file. All documents are 

placed in chronological order from the bottom up. File these documents in the 

pertinent case files according to your office procedures. You may also use dividers 

and tabs to make the documents in the case file easier to locate.

 Accounting Receipts. In older files, some states may have filed these on the left 

side of the case file;

 Certificates/Notices of Location;

 Amendments;

 Transfers of Interest;

 Any correspondence concerning the mining claims or sites including address or 

name changes, notices, and decisions;

 Internal correspondence such as memos to the file or phone conversation records;

 Master Title Plat(s);

 Historical Index;

 Claimant Map(s);

 Affidavits of Assessment, Notices of Intent to Hold, Maintenance Fee documents, 

and Waiver Certifications; and

 If applicable, Serial Number List, Check Sheet, and Suspense or Tickler reminders.

2. Case File Jacket Maintenance.

a. Jackets.

(1) Edges. If the edge of the case file is beginning to get ragged, use binding 
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or strapping tape to reinforce the jacket to prevent further destruction. If

taping has started to deteriorate, replace the entire jacket.

(2) Numbers and bar codes, if applicable. If the numbers are fading or coming

off the jacket, remove the old number and replace it with a new sticker. If 

all of the numbers are ragged, you may need to put on a tab cover and then 

replace all of the numbers. If the bar code is coming off, replace it with a 

new one.

b. Prongs. If the prongs are broken, replace them. Use tape on the outside of the 

jacket to prevent it from being cut by the prong edge.

3. Document Preservation.

a. Examiners should not edit documents; if corrections are needed, the examiner 

should initial by the corrections. Each piece has historical value and needs to be 

preserved as much as possible.

(1) If documents in a file are starting to get ragged from use, tape the tears or 

wrinkles to prevent further destruction (tape on the back of the document 

does not show on copy work or microfilm). If the document is extremely 

ragged, run a photocopy of the original document and staple it to the top of 

the original document.

(2) If the holes in the top of the document have been torn through, attach 

reinforcement stickers.

(3) Always staple filings together to prevent the loss of documents. Although 

this may cause the document to get ragged with the removal of staples for 

copy work, it is more important to have all the documents together.

b. Serial Number/File Information List (if applicable in your state). If the list is 

messy or illegible, reprint a new one through LR2000/ALIS. Be sure that the latest 

current information is on this new list. 

c. Check and/or Work Sheet (if applicable in your state). Place a new check or work 

sheet page on top of the old check sheet if additional entries are needed.

4. Filing of Case files.

a. Monitor the shelf location carefully. File the case files in serial number order. File 

active files and closed files separately. (Follow your own state’s procedures.)

b. Place the case file on the shelf in an orderly fashion, allowing the serial numbers to 
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readily show from either direction. It is periodically necessary to “shift” files in 

order to take up gaps or make room for additional files.

C. Case Disposition

Federal Records Center (FRC) Disposal/Retrieval. In accordance with the Bureau’s 

Records Retention Schedule 4/22, transfer closed mining claim case files to the FRC two

years after the end of the fiscal year of closure date. The FRC will destroy the records 

after 50 years. There are specific forms and procedures for transferring these records to 

the FRC. Contact either your State Records Administration/Manager or State Office 

Dockets section for assistance.

If a customer wants to see a case file previously transferred to the FRC, you can suggest 

that the customer work directly with the FRC. The FRC charges the BLM for their time in 

retrieving the files. The BLM incurs charges for postage to and from the FRC. If the 

BLM needs to make the request for a case file to be retrieved from the FRC, contact either 

your State Records Administration/Manager or Information Access Center contact 

representative for assistance.

D. Abbreviations and Address Standards

1. Abbreviations. DO NOT ABBREVIATE FOR THE SAKE OF ABBREVIATING. If 

you need to abbreviate, look up the proper abbreviation. The Glossary Terms and 

Abbreviations can be found on the WO Data Management SharePoint. In the column on 

the left, select “Reference Materials”. Under “Document Type: Internal”, the Abbreviation 

Guidelines document and the Glossary Terms and Abbreviation spreadsheet are shown.

2. Address Standards. WO-IM 2001-211 established a standard for all BLM address 

information by adopting the U.S. Postal Service's (USPS) Postal Addressing Standards 

as the official source for domestic address information. The BLM has adopted this 

standard, whether manual or automated. Use the Postal Addressing Standards, 

Publication 28, as the standard in the formatting and content of address information 

(http://pe.usps.gov/cpim/ftp/pubs/Pub28/pub28.pdf).

3. Other websites that may be used to verify names and addresses:

 http://www.melissadata.com/lookups/zipstreet.asp. This website will give a list of 

street names within a specified zip code and the deliverable addresses for those 

streets. Melissadata.com has other search options available and found from the 

home page.

 

 http://www.whitepages.com. This website can be used to find telephone numbers 

for claimants and to verify addresses. The site has a reverse look up option for the 

address that you can check the address to verify who the current resident is. If 

someone is not listed in the whitepages.com site, then their information may not 
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appear or it may appear with limited information only.

 http://www.switchboard.com. This is like the whitepages.com site, but sometimes 

telephone numbers will be listed on this site that are not listed on the 

whitepages.com site.

4. Validation of Addresses. Addresses entered into LR2000 are systematically validated 

through the software Data Flux. Data Flux attempts to validate the address in 

accordance with the USPS or Canadian Postal standards. After validation through 

Data Flux, the address may appear differently than what is shown on a document filed. 

For instance, claimants may not abbreviate words such as Road, Street, Avenue, etc., 

whereas Data Flux will normally abbreviate these words in accordance with USPS 

standards. Do not attempt to override entries validated by Data Flux just to match 

what is shown on a document. If the address does not validate through Data Flux, 

further information may be needed from the claimant to verify their correct mailing 

address. If you are not able to get a valid mailing address either because it was not 

submitted or you received mail that was returned by the USPS as undeliverable, you 

should always mark the box in the Customer Name Update Screen labeled 

UNDELIVERABLE. This box can be used in ad hoc LR2000 reports to identify those 

claimants without valid mailing addresses. Once this box is checked, if the address is 

updated, then the checkmark will programmatically delete once the new address is 

saved.

5. Use Upper Case Letters. 

6. Allowable characters: 

 All alpha keys (A-Z) and Space;
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 All numeric keys (0-9);

 Slash (/) or hyphen (-) cannot have space in front or behind, use only to link 

names, i.e., Ward-Williams;

 Ampersand (&) must have a space before and after. The “&” cannot appear in the 

first or last position; and

 Pound Sign (#) must have a space between the pound sign and the number.

7. State Names Abbreviated. Always abbreviate the state names such as Alaska (AK), 

Arizona (AZ), California (CA), Colorado (CO), District of Columbia (DC), Idaho 

(ID), Montana (MT), Nevada (NV), New Mexico (NM), Oregon (OR), Utah (UT), 

Wyoming (WY), etc. Canadian Province/Territory: Alberta (AB), British Columbia 

(BC), Manitoba (MB), New Brunswick (NB), Newfoundland (NF), Northwest 

Territories (NT), Nova Scotia (NS), Ontario (ON), Prince Edward Island (PE), Quebec 

(QC), Saskatchewan (SK), Yukon Territory (YT).

8. Post Office Boxes: Always abbreviate Post Office Box (PO BOX). Eliminate dual 

address lines. If both a physical street address and PO Box are available, use the PO 

Box. For addresses located in mail delivery stores, always abbreviate a private mail 

box as PMB and then the number. For example, PMB 353. This will be used in 

addition to the street address of the store.

9. BLM Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations. The following is a brief listing of some 

terms and abbreviations used in mining law and throughout this handbook. This list is 

not meant to represent a complete list of Bureau-approved abbreviations.

-Aab initio Latin term meaning from the beginning.

Acquired lands Federal lands obtained by the United States thorough purchase or 

transfer from a State or private individual and normally dedicated 

to a specific use.

Appeal A request to the Interior Board of Land Appeals for a review of a 

decision issued. Filed by the party considered adversely affected, 

for the purpose of getting the effect of the decision reversed.

ALJ Administrative Law Judge

ALIS/ACRES Alaska Land Information System/Alaska Case Reporting 
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Enterprise System. The BLM’s automated data base in Alaska.

Appropriations Act The Department of the Interior and Related Agencies 

Appropriations Act.

AMDT Amendment

A/V or A & V Abandoned and Void

 -Bbc Blind Copy

BLM Bureau of Land Management

 -Cc/o In Care Of

CBS Collection & Billings System

cc Courtesy or Carbon Copy

CDI Controlled Document Index

CFR Code of Federal Regulations. The Code of Federal Regulations is a 

codification of the general and permanent rules published in the 

Federal Register by the Executive departments and agencies of the 

Federal Government. 

CoL Certificate of Location

 -DDBA, dba, or d/b/a Doing Business As

DOL Date of Location

 -EEO Executive Order

 -F-
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FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

FLPMA Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976

F & V Forfeit & Void

FR Federal Register

FS Forest Service

 -HHI Historical Index

 -IIBLA Interior Board of Land Appeals. The Department of the Interior, 

Office of Hearings and Appeals board that acts for the Secretary of 

the Interior in responding to appeals of decisions on the use and 

disposition of public land and resources. Because the IBLA acts 

for and on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior, its decisions 

usually represent the Department’s final decision and are subject to 

appeal to the Federal courts.

 -LLR2000 Legacy Rehost 2000 – The BLM’s automated database in states 

other than Alaska.

 -MMF Maintenance Fee

MTP Master Title Plat

 -NNPS National Park Service

N/V or N & V Null and Void, ab initio
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NR, NUM, or # Number

NOI Notice of Intent to Hold a mining claim or site

NOITL Notice of Intent to Locate (Stock Raising Homestead Act Lands)

NOL Notice of Location

 -OOHA Office of Hearings and Appeals

 -PPL Public Law

PLO Public Land Order

POL Proof of Labor

PoO Plan of Operations

Public Domain 

Lands

Any or all of those areas of land ceded to the Federal Government 

by the Original States and to such other lands as were later 

acquired by treaty, purchase, or cession, and are disposed of only 

under the authority of Congress.

 -QQCD Quit Claim Deed

 -SSME Small Miner Exemption (small miner’s fee waiver)

SO Secretarial Order

SOL Solicitor’s Office

SRHA Stock Raising Homestead Act (PL 103-23) April 16, 1993

 -T-
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TUNL Tunnel

TVA Tennessee Valley Authority
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Chapter VII – Illustrations

The illustrations found on the following pages are included for reference with the handbook and 

formatted so that any state office can use them. To ensure consistency, each office should follow 

the format for the decisions and notices and include the pertinent information for their particular 

state. As always, Bureau-approved correspondence manuals and guides must be followed when 

issuing any correspondence.

For the purposes of this handbook, only one illustration is included as a sample for each 

circumstance. If a sample does not fit your specific needs, you may modify the sample or you 

may also contact other offices for samples and direction. The majority of the illustrations are in 

the order they are referenced in the handbook.
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ILLUSTRATION 1 – Telephone or Visit Conversation Log
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ILLUSTRATION 2 – Address Clarification and Power of Attorney

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3833 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL—RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

NOTICE

:

:

:

Additional Information Required

Current Mailing Addresses and Power of Attorney

In accordance with 43 CFR 1822.10, all documents required to be filed with the Bureau of Land 

Management must contain the applicant’s (claimant’s) legal name and current address. 

Additionally, 43 CFR 3833.11(b)(2) requires that a certificate of location of a mining claim or site 

contain the names and current mailing addresses of the locators of the claim.

The location notices recently received for the (insert claim names), serialized as (insert serial 

numbers), respectively, listed more than one locator at the same mailing address. Additionally, 

there was only one claimant signature and it appears that claimant is signing on behalf of all 

claimants. Since not all the locators using the same mailing address appear to be related, and 

there was no authorization included from any of the claimants to assign power of attorney to one 

person, we will need the following information before the recordation of the above-named claims 

can be completed: 

A current mailing address for each claimant listed on the location notice regardless if the 

paperwork management is controlled by one party. If the party is related but does not actually 

reside at the same residence, their current mailing address is also required. 

A signed and notarized statement from each claimant that they authorized their name to be on 

the location notices and that they are an actual party to the location of the subject claims, and 

a legal document (such as a notarized power of attorney) showing that the person signing the 

location notice is the agent or authorized representative of the persons named on the location 

notice. 

Claimant Name

Mailing Address

City, State, Zip

Mining Claim Recordation
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The above-named claimants are hereby afforded 30 days from receipt of this notice in which to 

furnish the requested information. Failure to do so will subject the recordation of the abovenamed claims to further adjudication which may result in a partial rejection of the recordation and 

a reduction in acreage claimed. 

If BLM determines during further adjudication that the names of some or all of the locators listed 

on the location certificates are fictional and/or were used only to locate more than the allowed 

acreage, BLM may take action to invalidate the claim or site in its entirety. Additionally, the 

filing of any document that is known to contain false, erroneous, or fictitious information or 

statements may subject the claimant to criminal penalties under 18 U.S.C. § 1001 and 43 U.S.C. § 

1212. The maximum penalty is 5 years in prison and/or a fine of $250,000.

Any questions regarding this Notice should be directed to (insert contact name and telephone

number), or at the address in the letterhead of this Notice.

Signature Block
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ILLUSTRATION 3 (Sample 1 MT) – Check or Work Sheet

KEEP ON TOP

SERIAL NUMBER _________________CLAIM TYPE_______________ DATE RECEIVED___________________

DATA ENTRY COMPLETED____________________________ RECEIPT ISSUED__________________________ 

STATUS PROBLEMS/REMARKS___________________________________________________________________

 

STOCK RAISING HOMESTEAD ACT LANDS NOITL Received__________________________________

Acknowledged________________________________ NOITL Serial Number_______________________

___________ ANNUAL FILING ____________ ANNUAL FILING

Waiver _____________________________________ Waiver___________________________________

Acknowledged________________________________ Acknowledged_____________________________

Assessment __________________________________ Assessment _______________________________

Maintenance _________________________________ Maintenance ______________________________

Remarks____________________________________ Remarks__________________________________

___________________________________________ _________________________________________

Data Entered________________________________ Data Entered_______________________________

*************************************************************************************************

___________ ANNUAL FILING ____________ ANNUAL FILING

Waiver _____________________________________ Waiver___________________________________

Acknowledged________________________________ Acknowledged_____________________________

Assessment __________________________________ Assessment _______________________________

Maintenance _________________________________ Maintenance ______________________________

Remarks____________________________________ Remarks__________________________________

___________________________________________ _________________________________________

Data Entered________________________________ Data Entered_______________________________

*************************************************************************************************

___________ ANNUAL FILING ____________ ANNUAL FILING

Waiver _____________________________________ Waiver___________________________________

Acknowledged________________________________ Acknowledged_____________________________

Assessment __________________________________ Assessment _______________________________

Maintenance _________________________________ Maintenance ______________________________

Remarks____________________________________ Remarks__________________________________

___________________________________________ _________________________________________

Data Entered________________________________ Data Entered_______________________________

*************************************************************************************************

___________ ANNUAL FILING ____________ ANNUAL FILING

Waiver _____________________________________ Waiver___________________________________

Acknowledged________________________________ Acknowledged_____________________________

Assessment __________________________________ Assessment _______________________________

Maintenance _________________________________ Maintenance ______________________________

Remarks____________________________________ Remarks__________________________________

___________________________________________ _________________________________________

Data Entered________________________________ Data Entered_______________________________

*************************************************************************************************

___________ ANNUAL FILING ____________ ANNUAL FILING

Waiver _____________________________________ Waiver___________________________________

Acknowledged________________________________ Acknowledged_____________________________

Assessment __________________________________ Assessment _______________________________

Maintenance _________________________________ Maintenance ______________________________

Remarks____________________________________ Remarks__________________________________

___________________________________________ _________________________________________

Data Entered________________________________ Data Entered_______________________________
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*************************************************************************************************

RELINQUISHMENT RECEIVED__________________ RELINQUISHMENT RECEIVED _________

Closed________________________________________ Case Closed____________________________

Data Entered ___________________________________ Data Entered___________________________

******************************************************************************************

AMENDMENT RECEIVED_______________________ AMENDMENT RECEIVED______________

Acknowledged__________________________________ Acknowledged _________________________

Data Entered ___________________________________ Data Entered __________________________

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

AMENDMENT RECEIVED_______________________ AMENDMENT RECEIVED____________ 

Acknowledged__________________________________ Acknowledged ________________________

Data Entered ___________________________________ Data Entered _________________________

******************************************************************************************

TRANSFER OF INTEREST_______________________ TRANSFER OF INTEREST______________

Acknowledged__________________________________ Acknowledged_________________________

Data Entered ________________________________ Data Entered_________________________ 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

TRANSFER OF INTEREST_______________________ TRANSFER OF INTEREST______________

Acknowledged__________________________________ Acknowledged_________________________

Data Entered ___________________________________ Data Entered__________________________ 

******************************************************************************************

ADDRESS CHANGE____________________________ ADDRESS CHANGE___________________

Data Entered ___________________________________ Data Entered__________________________ 

******************************************************************************************

ADD'L REQUIREMENT _________________________ ADD'L REQUIREMENT_______________ Information 

Recd ________________________________ Information Recd_______________________

Data Entered____________________________________ Data Entered___________________________

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ADD'L REQUIREMENT _________________________ ADD'L REQUIREMENT ______________ Information 

Recd ________________________________ Information Recd______________________

Data Entered____________________________________ Data Entered__________________________

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ADD'L REQUIREMENT _________________________ ADD'L REQUIREMENT ______________ Information 

Recd ________________________________ Information Recd______________________

Data Entered____________________________________ Data Entered__________________________

******************************************************************************************

DECISION ISSUED (393)________________________ DECISION ISSUED (393)________________

Case N/V In Part (240)___________________________ Case N/V In Part (240)___________________

Case N/V & Closed (239)_________________________ Case N/V & Closed (239)________________

Case Closed (631)_______________________________ Case Closed (631)_____________________

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DECISION ISSUED (393)________________________ DECISION ISSUED (393)_______________

Case N/V In Part (240)___________________________ Case N/V In Part (240)__________________

Case N/V & Closed (239)_________________________ Case N/V & Closed (239)________________

Case Closed (631)_______________________________ Case Closed (631)______________________

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DECISION ISSUED (393)________________________ DECISION ISSUED (393)_______________

Case N/V In Part (240)___________________________ Case N/V In Part (240)__________________

Case N/V & Closed (239)_________________________ Case N/V & Closed (239)________________

Case Closed (631)_______________________________ Case Closed (631)______________________
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ILLUSTRATION 4 (Sample 2 UT) – Check or Work Sheet
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ILLUSTRATION 5 – Over 90 Days Decision

In Reply Refer To:

Serial Number Date

3842(Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

 DECISION

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, Street, Zip :

Recordation Rejected

Mining Claim Declared Abandoned and Void

On (insert date), this office received a location notice for the (insert claim name) unpatented mining claim. The 

claim was assigned Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert serial number). The location notice 

for the (insert claim name) mining claim shows a location date of (insert location date). 

Pursuant to regulations at 43 CFR 3833.11 (a), the owner of an unpatented mining claim or site must record in the 

proper BLM state office, a certificate of location within 90 days from the date of location. The (insert claim name) 

mining claim was located on (insert location date) and filed on (insert date received), which is over 90 days from the 

location date of the claim. 

In accordance with regulations at 43 CFR 3833.91, failing to record a mining claim or site within 90 days after the 

date of location will result in the forfeiture of the mining claim or site. Since the (insert claim name) mining claim 

was not received within the required time period the recordation of the (insert claim name) mining claim is rejected 

and the claim is hereby declared abandoned and void.

Insert Standard Reclamation Paragraphs

Insert Standard Appeal with Stay Information Paragraphs

The regulations at 43 CFR 3830.22(b)(1), authorize the refund of maintenance and location fees when the mining 

claim, as of the date the fees were submitted, was determined to be void. If no appeal to this Decision is filed, a 

refund in the amount of $(insert amount) will be authorized and received within 4 to 6 weeks. 

Any questions regarding this Decision should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the 

letterhead or at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block

Enclosure

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
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ILLUSTRATION 6 – Standard Reclamation Paragraph

The following standard reclamation information will be added to all Null and Void and Forfeiture 

Decisions, Notices accepting relinquishments or any other Notice to the claimant that might require 

reclamation of all or a portion of their claim:

You are required to reclaim all areas disturbed by your activities on lands encompassed by your 

mining claims. After you complete the reclamation, you must notify the authorized officer of the 

appropriate surface managing agency so that the authorized officer may conduct a final site 

inspection and determine whether you may be released from liability. If you fail to reclaim the 

land to the satisfaction of the authorized officer, the surface management agency may cite you for 

noncompliance under its surface management regulations.

For land administered by the BLM, if you fail to reclaim the land to the satisfaction of the 

authorized officer as required in 43 CFR Subpart 3809, the BLM will issue an order of 

noncompliance under 43 CFR 3809.601(a). If you fail to comply with the noncompliance order, 

the BLM may take further action under 43 CFR 3809.604. Failure to conduct reclamation is a 

prohibited act that may subject you to criminal penalties. See 43 CFR 3809.605(h) and 43 CFR 

3809.700.

If your occupancy has been terminated and you fail to remove structures, material, equipment, 

and any personal property in accordance with the regulations in 43 CFR 3715.5-1, the BLM may 

dispose of the property. In accordance with 43 CFR 3715.5-2, you will remain liable for the costs 

the BLM incurs in removing and disposing of the property.
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ILLUSTRATION 7 – Standard Appeal with Stay Information Paragraphs 

The following appeal information will be added to every Decision that causes an adverse action against 

the claimant:

This decision may be appealed to the Interior Board of Land Appeals, Office of the Secretary, in 

accordance with the regulations contained in 43 CFR, Part 4 and the enclosed Form 1842-1. If an appeal is 

taken, your notice of appeal must be filed in this office (at the above address) within 30 days from receipt 

of this decision. The appellant has the burden of showing that the decision appealed from is in error. 

If you wish to file a petition for a stay (suspension) of the effectiveness of this decision during the time that 

your appeal is being reviewed by the Board pursuant to Part 4, Subpart B, 4.21 of Title 43, Code of Federal 

Regulations, the petition for a stay must accompany your notice of appeal. A petition for a stay is required 

to show sufficient justification based on the standards listed below. Copies of the notice of appeal and 

petition for a stay must be submitted to each party named in this decision and to the Interior Board of Land 

Appeals and to the appropriate Office of the Solicitor (see 43 CFR 4.413) at the same time the original 

documents are filed with this office. If you request a stay, you have the burden of proof to demonstrate 

that a stay should be granted.

Standards for Obtaining a Stay

Except as otherwise provided by law or other pertinent regulation, a petition for a stay of a decision 

pending appeal shall show sufficient justification based on the following standards:

1. The relative harm to the parties if the stay is granted or denied,

2. The likelihood of the appellant's success on the merits,

3. The likelihood of immediate and irreparable harm if the stay is not granted, and

4. Whether the public interest favors granting the stay.
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ILLUSTRATION 8 – Deficiency Notice

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

NOTICE

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip :

Additional Requirement

On (insert date), this office received your Certificate of Location (CoL) for the (name of claim) mining claim, 

which was assigned Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert serial number). This serial 

number should be referenced in any future correspondence with this office regarding the (insert claim name) 

mining claim.

We are unable to complete recordation of the (insert claim name) mining claim because the required claim type 

was not included on your CoL. Enclosed is a copy of the CoL for your reference. 

You are allowed 30 days from the date you receive this Notice to furnish an amended CoL which includes the 

required claim type. If you fail to furnish an amended CoL within the time allowed, the recordation of the (insert 

claim name) mining claim will be rejected and the claim will be deemed to be abandoned.

In accordance with the regulations at 43 CFR 3000.12, you must submit a nonrefundable filing fee of $10 when 

filing the amended CoL with this office. In addition, the amended CoL must be recorded in the local county 

recording office prior to being filed with the BLM. Failure to do so will result in the rejection of the amended 

CoL and it will not be recorded. The amended CoL for the (insert claim name) must include serial number 

(insert serial number) and must also be clearly marked AMENDED. As a reminder, any time a claimant is going 

to record an amendment with the BLM, the amendment must first be recorded in the local office before being 

filed with the BLM.

Should you have any questions concerning this Notice, please contact (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in 

the letterhead or by calling (insert telephone number of adjudicator).

 

 Signature Block

Enclosure

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.

 
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ILLUSTRATION 9 – Noncompliance Decision

In Reply Refer To:

Serial Number Date

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED 

DECISION

Claimant Name : 

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Recordation Rejected

On (insert date), this office received the Certificate of Location (CoL) for the (insert claim name)

mining claim, which was assigned Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert claim 

name). 

On (insert date), this office issued an additional requirement Notice to (claimant name) informing 

(him/her) that the CoL for the (insert claim name) mining claim was not complete as it did not contain 

the mining claim type. The Notice informed (claimant name) that an amended CoL that included the 

type of claim for the (insert claim name) mining claim would need to be recorded with the county 

recorder's office and with the BLM. A copy of the (insert date), Notice is enclosed with this Decision.

The (insert date), Notice afforded (claimant name) 30 days from (his/her) receipt of the Notice in 

which to submit the amended CoL with the required information. According to the information on the 

return receipt card (or insert the information used to calculate the date), the Notice was received on 

(insert date Notice was delivered). The required amended CoL was not received in this office in the 

time allowed. In accordance with 3830.94(d), failing to furnish the required information in the time 

allowed will result in the forfeiture of the mining claim or site. Accordingly, the (insert claim name)

recordation of the (insert name of mining claim or site) is hereby rejected for the failure of (claimant 

name) to furnish the required amended CoL.

Insert Standard Reclamation Paragraphs

Insert Standard Appeal with Stay Information Paragraphs
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Any questions regarding this Decision should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in 

the letterhead or (insert telephone number).

 Signature Block

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of 

the correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
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ILLUSTRATION 10 – Legal Description/Map Additional Requirement Notice

In Reply Refer To:

Serial Numbers

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL – RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

NOTICE

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Additional Information Required

On (insert date), this office received a location certificate for the (insert claim name) lode mining claim, which has 

been assigned Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert serial number). This serial number should 

be used in any future correspondence with this office regarding the (insert claim name) mining claim. 

We are not able to use Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates for conversion and are, therefore, unable to plot 

your claim from the description and map you provided. Additionally, the claim exceeds the allowable size for a lode 

mining claim (1,500 feet by 600 feet). 

In accordance with 43 CFR 3832.12(b) (copy enclosed), lode claims must be described by metes-and-bounds

beginning at the discovery point on the claim and include a tie to natural objects or permanent monuments. In order 

to correct the description and adjust the size of your claim, you need to file an amended certificate of location (CoL). 

In accordance with the regulations at 43 CFR 3000.12, you must submit a nonrefundable filing fee of $10 when filing 

the amended CoL with this office. In addition, the amended CoL must be recorded in the local county recording 

office prior to being filed with the BLM. Failure to do so will result in the rejection of the amended CoL and it will 

not be recorded. The amended Col for the (insert claim name) must include serial number (insert serial number) and 

must also be clearly marked AMENDED. 

You are hereby afforded 30 days from your receipt of this notice in which to file the amended CoL with this office. 

Failure to do so will result in the recordation of the above-named claim being rejected.

If you have any questions regarding this Notice, please contact (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the 

above letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block

Enclosures

 

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-15

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 11 – Noncompliance Decision

In Reply Refer To:

Serial Number Date

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL-RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED 

DECISION

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Recordation Rejected

On (insert date), this office received the Certificate of Location for the (insert claim name) mining claim, which 

was assigned Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert serial number).

On (insert date), this office issued an additional requirement Notice to (claimant name), requesting a map which 

shows the location of the (insert claim name) mining claim be submitted to this office. A copy of the (insert 

date), Notice is enclosed with this Decision. 

The (insert date), Notice afforded (claimant name) 30 days from receipt of the Notice in which to submit the 

requested map. According to the information on the return receipt card (or insert the information used to 

calculate the date), the Notice was received on (insert date Notice was delivered). The required map or any 

additional information regarding the location of the (insert claim name) mining claim was not received in this 

office in the time allowed. In accordance with 43 CFR 3830.94(d), failing to furnish the required information in 

the time allowed will result in the forfeiture of the mining claim or site. Accordingly, the recordation of the

(insert claim name) mining claim is hereby rejected due to the failure of (claimant name) to furnish the required 

map.

Insert Standard Reclamation Paragraphs

Insert Standard Appeal with Stay Information Paragraphs

Any questions regarding this Decision should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in 

the letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block

 

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-16

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 12 – Null and Void Decision

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL – RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

DECISION

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State Zip Code :

 Mining Claim Declared Null and Void Ab Initio

On (insert date), this office received a notice of location for the (insert claim name) mining claim, and issued Bureau 

of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert serial number). This number should be used in any 

correspondence with this office regarding this claim. The location notice and map show the (insert claim name) 

mining claim is located in the (insert legal description – such as SE1⁄4 sec. 5, T. 9 S., R. 4 E., Black Hills Meridian, 

South Dakota).

The official records of this office show the above-described lands are not open to mineral entry. (Insert why the land 

is not open to mineral entry. See Illustration 12, page 2 for some examples.) 

Insert Standard Reclamation Paragraphs

Insert Standard Appeal with Stay Information Paragraphs

Maintenance and location fees are refundable if it is determined the mining claim was void at the time of recording 

with the BLM. If no appeal to this Decision is taken within the time allowed, a refund in the amount of (insert 

amount) will be authorized and a check from the U.S. Treasury received in 6 to 8 weeks. The processing fee paid at 

the time of recording is nonrefundable. 

Any questions regarding this Decision should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the above 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-17

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 12 – Null and Void ab initio in Whole Decision (page 2)

Sample paragraphs for reasons claim might be null & void.

1. Patented Land: The official records of this office show that (insert legal description – such as sec. 5, 

T. 9 S., R. 4 E., Black Hills Meridian) is patented under (insert patent number) which reserved no 

minerals to the United States. Accordingly, since the land embraced by the (insert claim name) is 

patented and not available for mineral location, the (insert claim name) mining claim is hereby 

declared null and void ab initio. A copy of Patent No. (insert patent number) is enclosed with this 

Decision.

2. Land Exchange: The official records of this office show that (insert legal description – such as sec. 

5, T. 9 S., R. 4 E., Black Hills Meridian) is included within a pending land exchange application, 

(insert serial number). In accordance with the BLM's regulations, notation on public land records of 

an offer to exchange lands segregates the land so noted from all forms of appropriation under the 

mining laws for a period not to exceed 5 years. A mining claim located while the segregation is in 

effect is null and void ab initio and affords the locator no rights. Accordingly, the (insert mining claim 

name) mining claim is hereby declared null and void ab initio.

3. Wilderness: The official records of this office show that (insert legal description – such as sec. 5, T. 

9 S., R. 4 E., Black Hills Meridian) is designated as wilderness, (insert wilderness name and document 

number. For example, Doc’s Pass, Public Law 111-1), dated (insert date). This land is closed to 

mineral location under the United States mining laws. Accordingly, the (insert mining claim name) 

mining claim is hereby declared null and void ab initio.

4. Railroad Grant & Surface Reconveyed: The official records of this office show that (insert legal 

description – such as sec. 5, T. 9 S., R. 4 E., Black Hills Meridian) was transferred out Federal 

ownership on (insert date) by Railroad Grant (insert grant number). The surface estate was 

reconveyed to the United States by (insert conveyance document number) on (insert date), however, 

the minerals remain under private ownership and are not open to location. Accordingly, the (insert 

claim name) mining claim is hereby declared null and void ab initio.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-18

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 13 – Null and Void In Part Decision

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL-RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

DECISION

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Mining Claim Declared Null and Void in Part Ab Initio

On (insert date), this office received a location notice for the (insert claim name) unpatented placer mining 

claim, which was located on (insert location date). The claim was serialized with Bureau of Land Management 

(BLM) serial number (insert serial number). 

The location notice and map for the (insert claim name) show the claim is located in the (insert legal description: 

Ex: SE1⁄4 sec. 13, T. 5 N., R. 3 E., Principal Mer., Montana.) The official records of this office show that a portion of 

this land is included in (insert reason lands are not open to mineral entry. Example: Patent No. 715415 and this 

patent did not reserve any minerals to the United States.) Since the minerals were not reserved to the United States, 

the lands in Patent No. 715415 were not open to mineral location on (insert location date). A copy of the Master 

Title Plat which shows the patented area highlighted in yellow and a copy of (insert document name such as Patent 

No. 715415) are enclosed with this Decision.

Accordingly, since the (insert claim name) mining claim is partially located on lands not open to mineral entry, 

the (insert claim name) mining claim is hereby declared null and void in part, ab initio (from the beginning) as to 

those lands located in (insert document name and number such as Patent No. 715415).

Insert Standard Reclamation Paragraphs

Insert Standard Appeal with Stay Information Paragraphs

NOTE TO ADJUDICATOR: This Decision is for a placer claim that is null & void in part. You will need to 

determine if a refund is due of the initial maintenance fee for the lands null & void in part. If the claim 

contained only 20 acres or less at the time of recording, no partial refund will be necessary. There will be no 

refund of the location fee. 

Any questions regarding this Decision should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the above 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-19

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 14 – Late Filed Maintenance Fee Decision

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL – RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

DECISION

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Untimely Filed Maintenance Fee Unacceptable

Mining Claim Forfeited by Operation of Law

Under 30 U.S.C. § 28f(a), the holder of an unpatented mining claim, mill site, or tunnel site must pay a maintenance 

fee for each claim or site on or before September 1 each year to hold the claim or site for the upcoming assessment 

year. See also 43 CFR. 3834.11(a)(2). Failure to comply with the maintenance fee requirement will be deemed 

conclusively to constitute a forfeiture of the claim or site and the claim or site will be deemed null and void by 

operation of law (30 U.S.C. § 28i).

The maintenance fee for the (list claim name and serial number) was received in this office on (insert date) and was 

postmarked (insert postmark date). Since the maintenance fee was not timely received or postmarked on or before 

September 1, 20__, it is unacceptable for processing. Regulation 43 CFR 3830.91(a)(3) states that you will forfeit 

your mining claims or sites if you fail to pay the annual maintenance fee on or before the due date. Accordingly, 

since the maintenance fee payment was not timely received, the (insert claim name) mining claim is hereby forfeited 

by operation of law as of September 1, 20__.

(OR use the following paragraph if the September 1 date was extended due to a day the office is officially closed or 

for a holiday.)

The maintenance fee for the (list claim name and serial number) was received in this office on (insert date) and was 

postmarked (insert postmark date). In accordance with 43 CFR 1822.14, the BLM considered timely any payments 

received or postmarked on or before September __, 20__. Since the maintenance fee was not received or postmarked 

on or before (insert September 1, 20__ or the applicable date), it is unacceptable for processing. Regulation 43 CFR 

3830.91(a)(3) states that you will forfeit your mining claims or sites if you fail to pay the annual maintenance fee on 

or before the due date. Accordingly, since the maintenance fee payment was not timely received, the (insert claim 

name) mining claim is hereby forfeited by operation of law as of September 1, 20__. (NOTE TO ADJUDICATOR: 

Even if the due date is extended due to office closure or a holiday, the claim or site will always be forfeited effective 

September 1 because that is the statutory due date.)

Insert Standard Reclamation Paragraphs

Insert Standard Appeal with Stay Information Paragraphs
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-20

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

If no appeal is filed within the time allowed, a refund of the late maintenance fee payment will be authorized and 

should be received in 6 to 8 weeks from the date of processing.

Any questions regarding this Decision should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the above 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block

Enclosure

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-21

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 15 – Refund and/or Return of Document Letter

In Reply Refer To:

Serial Number Date

3830 (Office Code)

Claimant Name

Mailing Address

City, State, Zip Code

Dear (Insert Claimant Name):

On (insert date), this office received a payment in the amount of $___ which was submitted for the 20__

maintenance fee for the (insert claim name) mining claim, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number 

(insert serial number).

The payment is unacceptable because the (insert claim name) mining claim was deemed to be forfeited by 

operation of law by Decision dated (insert date), for failure to timely submit either the maintenance fee payment

or maintenance fee waiver for the (insert year) assessment year. No appeal to the (insert date), Decision was 

filed and the case was closed. A copy of the (insert date) Decision is enclosed.

Accordingly, since the case for the (insert claim name) mining claim is closed and it does not appear the claim 

has been relocated, the maintenance fee payment for the (insert year) assessment year is unacceptable. 

Therefore, a refund in the amount of $____ has been authorized, and you should receive a check from the U.S. 

Treasury in approximately 4 to 6 weeks.

This mining claim may be relocated and the new Certificate of Location filed with this office within 90 days 

after the date of location in accordance with the provisions of 43 CFR 3833.1-2(a), as long as there are no 

intervening rights and the lands are still open to mineral location.

Should you elect to relocate this claim, please be advised that the recordation of your relocation certificate must 

be accompanied by all the required fees. (The applicable fees can be listed but please make certain to list new 

amount if fees have changed recently.)

If you have any questions, please contact (insert adjudicator’s name) at the address in the above letterhead or by 

telephone at (insert telephone number).

Sincerely,

Signature Block

Enclosure 

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-22

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 16 – Request for Maintenance Fee Prior to September 1 

In Reply Refer To:

Serial Number Date

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL—RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED 

NOTICE

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Additional Requirement

On (insert date), this office received (insert dollar amount) from (insert claimant name) which was to be applied to 

the (insert assessment year) claim maintenance fee payment for the following mining claims:

 (Insert list of claim names and serial numbers)

The regulations at 43 CFR 3834.11(a)(2) provide that for each mining claim or site you must pay an annual 

maintenance fee on or before September 1 for each year in order to maintain a mining claim or site for the upcoming 

assessment year. The required fee is $(insert amount depending on type of claim or site) per claim. 

The payment received on (insert date), is not sufficient to cover all the claims listed above. Accordingly, we have 

applied a $(insert amount depending on type of claim or site) maintenance fee payment to the (insert claim names)

mining claims only, which totals (insert total amount applied).

This is to notify you that since your payment was not sufficient to cover all of the above-listed mining claims, the 

(insert assessment year) maintenance fee payment for the (insert claim name(s)) is still due on or before 

September 1, 20__. Failure to furnish the required maintenance fee payment by the due date will result in the (insert 

claim name(s)) mining claim(s) being forfeited by operation of law.

Since partial payments are not acceptable to be applied toward a maintenance fee, we have authorized a refund in the 

amount of (insert amount of refund) which is the amount remaining from the initial (insert payment amount) 

payment, and you should receive a check from the U. S. Treasury within 4 to 6 weeks.

If you have any questions regarding this Notice, please contact (insert adjudicator’s name) at the address in the above 

letterhead, or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-23

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 17 – Failure to File Forfeiture Decision

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL-RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED 

 

DECISION

Claimant Name :

Street Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State Zip Code :

Mining Claims Forfeited by Operation of Law

Under 30 U.S.C. § 28f(a), the holder of an unpatented mining claim, mill site, or tunnel site must pay a maintenance 

fee for each claim or site on or before September 1 each year to hold the claim or site for the upcoming assessment 

year. In accordance with regulations at 43 CFR 3835.10, the claim maintenance fee may be waived for a claimant 

who certifies in writing on or before September 1, the claimant had met the requirements for the fee to be waived. 

Failure to pay the required annual maintenance fee without having timely filed a qualifying request for a waiver on or 

before September 1, will cause the claimant to forfeit their mining claim or site (43 CFR 3830.91(a)(4)).

Our records show that we did not receive the maintenance fee payment on or before September 1, 20__, for the 20__ 

assessment year, for the following mining claims:

(Insert claim names and serial numbers. An enclosure can also

be included that contains the claim names and serial numbers 

if there are too many to list in a decision.)

Since the maintenance fees were not paid for the (insert assessment year), and there was no timely filing of a 

qualifying request for a fee waiver, the above-named mining claims are hereby declared forfeited for failure to pay 

the annual maintenance fees on or before September 1, 20__. 

Insert Standard Reclamation Paragraphs

Insert Standard Appeal with Stay Information Paragraphs

Any questions regarding this Decision should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the 

letterhead or (insert telephone number).

Signature Block

 

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-24

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 18 – Curable Defect - Notice of Intent to Hold Notice

NOTE: The failure to file a Notice of Intent to Hold when switching from the maintenance fee to 

a waiver in a subsequent year after location, is NOT a curable defect, except for mill sites or 

tunnel sites. Therefore, this Notice will be sent as a reminder only if there is sufficient time for 

the claimant to file a Notice of Intent to Hold by December 30. 

In Reply Refer to: Date

Serial Number

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL—RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

 

NOTICE

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State Zip Code :

Notice of Intent to Hold Required

On (insert date), this office received a Maintenance Fee Waiver Certification for assessment year (insert 

year), for the following mining claims:

 (Insert claim names and serial numbers)

According to our records, maintenance fee payments were made for the above-listed claims for assessment 

years (insert assessment years).

The regulations at 43 CFR 3835.15 provide that a qualified small miner who previously paid maintenance 

fees may apply for a waiver of the maintenance fee for the upcoming assessment year. To apply for a 

waiver, the claimant must (1) submit a waiver request on or before September 1 for the upcoming 

assessment year; (2) file a notice of intent to hold on or before December 30 immediately following the 

submission of a waiver request; (3) perform the required assessment work in the assessment year for which 

BLM waived the maintenance fees; and (4) file an affidavit of assessment work on or before December 30 

immediately following the close of the assessment year in which the assessment work was performed.

Accordingly, since you have applied for a waiver of the maintenance fee for (insert assessment year), you 

are required to file a Notice of Intent to Hold (NOI) for the (insert previous assessment year) assessment 

year. You must file the NOI on or before December 30, 20XX with this office. When filing the NOI, you 

should include a statement that you are filing the NOI because you were not required to perform 

assessment work for the (insert assessment year) assessment year as you had previously paid the 

maintenance fee. Your NOI must be accompanied by a nonrefundable processing fee of $10 for each 

mining claim or site listed above. Failure to furnish the required NOI along with the processing fee on or 

before December 30 will result in the above-listed mining claims being declared forfeited by operation of 

law.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-25

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

If you have any questions regarding this Notice, please contact (insert adjudicator name) at the address in 

the above letterhead or by telephone at (list telephone number).

 

Signature Block
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-26

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 19 – Late Filed Maintenance Fee Waiver Decision

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL – RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

DECISION

Claimant Name :

Mailing Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State Zip Code :

Maintenance Fee Waiver Certification Rejected

Mining Claim Forfeited by Operation of Law

On (insert date), this office received a Maintenance Fee Waiver Certification (waiver) for the assessment year 

beginning September 1, 20__, and ending September 1, 20__, for the (insert mining claim name) mining claim, 

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert serial number).

Under 30 U.S.C. § 28f(a), the holder of an unpatented mining claim, mill site, or tunnel site must pay a maintenance 

fee for each claim or site on or before September 1 each year to hold the claim or site for the upcoming assessment 

year. In accordance with regulations at 43 CFR 3835.10, the claim maintenance fee may be waived for a claimant 

who certifies in writing on or before September 1, the claimant had met the requirements for the fee to be waived. 

Failure to pay the required annual maintenance fee, without having timely filed a qualifying request for a waiver on 

or before September 1, will cause the claimant to forfeit their mining claim or site (43 CFR 3830.91(a)(4)).

The waiver request for the above-mentioned claim, which was postmarked on (insert date) and received on (insert 

date), was not timely filed and is hereby rejected. Since the maintenance fee was not paid for the (insert year) 

assessment year, and the waiver was not timely filed, the (insert claim name) mining claim is forfeited for failure to 

pay the annual maintenance fee on or before September 1, 20__. Accordingly, the (insert claim name) is hereby 

deemed null and void by operation of law as of September 1, 20__. 

Insert Standard Reclamation Paragraphs

Insert Standard Appeal with Stay Information Paragraphs

Any questions regarding this Decision should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block

 

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-27

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 20 – Waiver Additional Requirement Notice

Date

In Reply Refer To:

Serial Number

3833 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

NOTICE

Claimant Name :

Mailing Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Additional Information Required

On (insert date), this office received your Maintenance Fee Waiver Certification (waiver) Form 3830-2 for the (insert 

year) assessment year for the (insert claim name), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert serial 

number). 

In accordance with 43 CFR 3835.10(b), all waiver requests must include: (1) the names and addresses of all claimants 

who maintain an interest in the mining claim or site; and (2) an original signature of each claimant requesting the 

waiver or the original signature of the authorized agent for each claimant requesting the waiver. In reviewing your 

timely-filed waiver, we determined the waiver is defective because your signature on the waiver is not an original 

signature. 

Enclosed for your use is a new waiver for you to complete and sign. Please ensure your signature is original. If you 

are unable to provide an original signature, you must pay the (insert amount of fee) maintenance fee. In accordance 

with 43 CFR 3835.93, you are hereby afforded 60 days from your receipt of this Notice in which to either cure the 

defect in your waiver by returning the completed waiver with your original signature or to pay the maintenance fee. 

Failure to submit the waiver or pay the fee by the due date will result in the forfeiture of your mining claim by 

operation of law. 

If you have any questions regarding this Notice, please contact (name of adjudicator) at the address in the letterhead 

above or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block

Enclosure

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-28

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 21 – Noncompliance Decision

In Reply Refer To:

Serial Number Date

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED 

DECISION

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Mining Claims Forfeited by Operation of Law

On (insert date), this office received a Maintenance Fee Payment Waiver Certification (waiver) Form 3830-2 for 

the (insert assessment year) assessment year for the (insert claim name) mining claim, Bureau of Land 

Management (BLM) serial number (insert serial number).

In reviewing the waiver, it was discovered that the waiver was defective because it did not contain an original 

signature for (insert claimant name). Accordingly, on (insert date), this office issued an additional requirement 

Notice (copy enclosed) affording (insert claimant name) 60 days from (his or her) receipt of the Notice in which 

to cure the defective waiver by submitting either (1) the waiver form with the required original signature; or (2) 

the required maintenance fee. Our records show the (insert date), Notice was received on (insert date green card 

was signed) and as of this date, no response to the additional requirement Notice has been received.

Since the maintenance fee for the above-referenced mining claim for the (insert year) assessment year was not 

paid and a valid waiver request of the maintenance fee was not received, the claim is declared to be forfeited 

for failure to pay the annual maintenance fee on or before September 1, 20___. Accordingly the (insert claim 

name) is hereby deemed null and void by operation of law as of September 1, 20___.

Insert Standard Reclamation Paragraphs

Insert Standard Appeal with Stay Information Paragraphs

Any questions regarding this Decision should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

 Signature Block

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-29

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 22 – Claim Not Recorded with BLM or Case Closed and no

Relocation Letter

In Reply Refer To: Date

3833 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED—RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

Claimant Name

Address

City, State, Zip Code

Dear (Insert Claimant Name):

On (insert date), you submitted a (insert assessment year) Maintenance Fee Waiver Certification (waiver) for the 

(insert claim name) mining claim.

Note: Use this paragraph when there is no record of the claim(s): We researched our records and find no evidence 

that this claim has ever been recorded in this office. Therefore, the waiver is being returned to you unrecorded. If, in 

fact, the claim has been recorded with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), please complete the waiver with the 

BLM assigned serial number and return it to this office for further processing. 

Note: Use this paragraph when the cases are closed and there is no evidence of relocation: Our records show that 

the case file for the (insert claim name) mining claim, BLM serial number (insert serial number), was closed on 

(insert date). We have researched our records and can find no evidence that the (insert claim name) mining claim has 

been relocated. Accordingly, we are returning the waiver to you unrecorded. If in fact the (insert claim name) 

mining claim has been relocated, please return the waiver making certain to include the new serial number.

As a reminder, waivers must be filed on or before September 1. Failure to do so will result in the claim or site being 

declared forfeited by operation of law.

If you have any questions, please contact (insert adjudicator) at the address in the above letterhead or by telephone at 

(insert telephone number).

Sincerely,

Signature Block

Enclosure

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-30

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 23 – Over 10 Claims Decision

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3833 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

DECISION

Claimant Name :

Mailing Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Mining Claim Forfeited by Operation of Law

On (insert date), this office received the Maintenance Fee Payment Waiver Certification for the (insert claim name) 

mining claim, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert serial number), for the (insert year) 

assessment year.

In accordance with 43 CFR 3835.11(a)(1), in order to qualify for a waiver of the maintenance fee requirements, the 

claimant and all related parties shall hold no more than 10 mining claims, mill sites, and tunnel sites, or any 

combination thereof on Federal lands in the United States. Related party means (1) the spouse and dependent 

children of the claimant as defined in section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code, or (2) a person who controls, is 

controlled by, or is under common control with the claimant (43 CFR 3830.5). If their claims in aggregate exceed 10, 

they cannot individually qualify for the waiver. See Black Bear Mines Co., et al., Capital Silver Mines, Inc., et al., 

Mary Ann Mining Co., et al., 152 IBLA 387 (2000). 

(Insert findings why the claimant(s) do not qualify to file a waiver. For instance, if the claimant is a related party to 

another claimant and between them they own more than 10 claims. It is not always that the claimant themselves 

owns 10 claims, it could be in conjunction with a related party.) Pursuant to 43 CFR 3835.92(a), if a claimant fails to 

submit a qualified waiver request and also fails to pay an annual maintenance fee on or before September 1, the 

affected mining claims or sites are forfeited. Or, you can also cite 43 CFR 3835.92(d): If you, a co-claimant, or any 

related parties, submit small miner waiver requests for more than 10 mining claims or sites and fail to pay the 

maintenance fee for each claim on or before September 1, you forfeit the mining claims and sites and you may be 

subject to criminal penalties under 18 U.S.C. § 1001.

Since (insert claimants’ names) do not qualify for the waiver of the maintenance fee and the (insert maintenance fee 

payment amount) maintenance fee was not paid to the BLM on or before September 1, 20__, the (insert claim name) 

mining claim, is declared forfeited for failure to pay the annual maintenance fee. Accordingly, the (insert claim 

name) is hereby deemed null and void by operation of law. 

Insert Standard Reclamation Paragraphs

Insert Standard Appeal with Stay Information Paragraphs
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-31

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

Any questions regarding this Decision should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

 Signature Block

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-32

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 24 – Late Filed FLPMA Document Decision

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3833 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL-RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

DECISION

Claimant Name :

Mailing Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Mining Claim Declared Abandoned and Void

On (insert date), this office received an Affidavit of Annual Assessment Work (affidavit) for the (insert year) 

assessment year for the (insert claim name) mining claim, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number 

(insert serial number). The envelope containing the affidavit and a $10 non-refundable processing fee was 

postmarked (insert date). A copy of the affidavit and envelope are enclosed with this Decision.

The Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) and regulations at 43 CFR 3835.30 provide 

that the owner of an unpatented mining claim or site must file an affidavit of assessment work performed on a 

claim or notice of intention to hold a site with the proper BLM office on or before December 30 of each calendar 

year following the year in which the claim or site was located. Failure to do so will result in the forfeiture of the 

claim or site (43 CFR 3830.91(a)(7)). The BLM’s regulation at 43 CFR 3830.5 defines “filed” as a document 

that is (a) received by the BLM on or before the due date; or (b) postmarked or otherwise clearly identified as 

sent on or before the due date by a bona fide mail delivery service, and then received by the appropriate BLM 

state office within 15 calendar days after the due date or the next business day if the 15th day is not a business 

day.

Since the envelope containing the affidavit for the (insert claim name) mining claim was not postmarked on or before 

the due date of December 30, (insert year), it is not considered to be timely filed and is, therefore, unacceptable. 

Accordingly, since the affidavit was not timely filed, the (insert claim name) mining claim is hereby declared 

abandoned and is void as of December 30, (insert year).

Insert Standard Reclamation Paragraphs

Insert Standard Appeal with Stay Information Paragraphs

Any questions regarding this Decision should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

 Signature Block

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-33

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 25 – Requesting Processing Fee Notice

Date

In Reply Refer To:

Serial Numbers

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL—RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED (Note: Sending the Notice by certified mail in this 

case, is just to be able to show the claimant was notified about his requirements to pay the other processing 

fee.)

NOTICE

Claimant Name :

Mailing Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Affidavit of Labor 

Additional Requirement

On (insert date), you submitted a $10 processing fee together with the Affidavit of Annual Assessment Work 

(affidavit) for the (insert year) assessment year for the (insert claim names) mining claims, Bureau of Land 

Management (BLM) serial numbers (insert serial numbers), respectively.

The BLM’s regulation at 43 CFR 3835.32(c) requires that the affidavit be accompanied by a nonrefundable 

processing fee of $10 for each mining claim, mill site, or tunnel site. Since only $10 was submitted with the affidavit

for the above-named claims, we were only able to process the affidavit as it pertained to (insert claim name). 

You are hereby notified that the $10 required processing fee for the (insert claim name for the claim that still needs 

$10) mining claim must be remitted to this office on or before December 30, 20__. Failure to remit the processing 

fee will result in the (insert claim name) mining claim being declared abandoned and void. 

NOTE TO ADJUDICATOR: If there is at least 30 days before December 30 for the claimant to pay the additional 

$10, then another Notice would not have to be sent requesting the money and the claim could be declared abandoned 

and void. If the claimant is not given at least a 30-day time limit in which to pay, then another Notice would have to 

be sent so the claimant is given a full 30 days. IBLA ruled that the processing fee for FLPMA documents is a curable 

defect if not received by December 30 so you need to make certain they have 30 days. If the FLPMA document is 

processed close to December 30, it would be advisable to just wait after December 30 to send a Notice for payment.

Any questions regarding this Notice should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the letterhead 

or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

 Signature Block
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-34

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 26 – Proof of Labor Abandoned and Void Decision

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

DECISION

Claimant Name :

Mailing Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Mining Claim Declared Abandoned and Void

On (insert date), this office received the Affidavit of Annual Assessment Work (affidavit) for the (insert year) 

assessment year, for the following mining claims:

 Claim Name Serial Number

 (List claim names and serial numbers)

In accordance with 43 CFR 3835.32(c), a nonrefundable processing fee is required to be remitted along with the 

affidavit for each mining claim. On (insert date), this office issued an additional requirement Notice requesting 

that (insert claimant name) remit the required nonrefundable processing fee of $10 for each claim on or before 

December 30, 20__, for the above-listed mining claims. Failure to do so would result in the above-named claims 

being declared abandoned and void. A copy of the (insert date), Notice is enclosed with this Decision.

The claimant was afforded 30 days from his/her receipt of the (insert date) Notice in which to remit the required 

processing fees. Our records show the (insert date), Notice was received on (insert date green card was signed) 

and as of this date, no additional fees have been received and the affidavit therefore cannot be processed as to the 

(insert claim names) claims. Accordingly, the above-named claims are hereby declared abandoned and void 

effective December 30, 20___, for the failure to file the affidavit of annual assessment work along with the 

required processing fees.

Insert Standard Reclamation Paragraphs

Insert Standard Appeal with Stay Information Paragraphs

Forfeited, void or abandoned claims may be relocated subject to valid intervening rights of third parties or the United 

States. It is the claimant’s responsibility to assure that the land is open to mineral entry at the time of location. New 

location notices, charges, and fees must be received by the proper BLM office within 90 days from the date of 

location. When recording new location notices with the BLM, a map and all required fees are required at the time of 

filing for each mining claim or site. Currently, the nonrefundable processing fee is $(insert fee), the location fee is 

$(insert fee), and the maintenance fee is $(insert fee). The maintenance fee for placer claims is calculated based on 

the total acreage in the claim and is required for each 20 acres or portion thereof in the claim. The notices of location 

must also be filed with the appropriate county recorder.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-35

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

Any questions regarding this Decision should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

 Signature Block

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-36

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 27 – Amendment Rejection Decision

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED 

NOTICE

Claimant Name :

Mailing Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Amended Certificate of Location Returned Unrecorded

On (insert date), this office received an amended Certificate of Location (amendment) for the (insert claim name and 

serial number) mining claim together with the required non-refundable $10 processing fee. The (insert claim name) 

mining claim is located in (insert name of county) County, (insert State name).

In accordance with 43 CFR 3833.22(a), an amended location certificate or notice must be recorded with the Bureau 

of Land Management (BLM) within 90 days after the certificate or notice is recorded in the local recording office. 

The BLM will not recognize any amendment to a mining claim until it is properly filed in the local recording office. 

(Use this paragraph if amendment was not recorded in the county.) The amendment submitted for the above-named 

claim was not properly recorded with the (insert name of county) County Recorder’s Office. Accordingly, since the 

amendment was not properly recorded prior to receipt in this office, the amendment is unacceptable for processing 

and is hereby returned unrecorded with the BLM. The amendment can be refiled with this office at a later date as 

long as it has been properly recorded with the (insert name of county) County Recorder’s Office. Since the $10 

previously submitted with the amendment is a non-refundable processing fee, another $10 will be required when the 

amendment is refiled. As a reminder, the amendment must be filed with this office within 90 days after recording in 

the local office.

(Use this paragraph if the amendment was recorded in the county but was not timely filed at the BLM.) The 

amendment submitted for the above-named claim was recorded with the (insert name of county) County Recorder’s 

Office on (insert date). Since the amendment was not received in this office within 90 days after the date of 

recording at the County Recorder’s Office, the amendment is unacceptable for processing and is hereby returned 

unrecorded. The amendment can be refiled with this office at a later date as long as it has been properly recorded at 

the County Recorder’s Office and is then received within 90 days of the date of that recording. Since the $10 

previously submitted with the amendment is a non-refundable processing fee, another $10 will be required when the 

amendment is refiled.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-37

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

Any questions regarding this Notice should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the letterhead 

or (insert telephone number).

 Signature Block

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-38

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 28 – Amended Notice of Location Rejected - Only Partial 

Processing Fee Received

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED 

NOTICE

Claimant Name : 

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Amended Notice of Location Returned Unrecorded

On (insert date), this office received amended certificates of location (amendment) for the (insert mining claim 

names), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial numbers (insert serial numbers), together with a $10 nonrefundable processing fee. 

In accordance with regulations at 43 CFR 3000.12, claimants are required to pay a nonrefundable processing fee of 

$10 per claim to record an amendment with the BLM. Since there was only a $10 processing fee received, this office 

has processed the amendment for the (insert claim name) mining claim only. Since the processing fees were 

insufficient to process both amendments, the amendment for the (insert claim name) mining claim is hereby rejected 

for recordation and is being returned along with this Notice. The amendment can be resubmitted along with the $10 

processing fee, but must be received in this office within 90 days after the date the amendment is recorded at the local 

recording office (43 CFR 3833.22).

Any questions regarding this Notice should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the letterhead 

or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

 Signature Block

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-39

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 29 – Transfer of Interest Rejection Decision – No Processing 

Fees

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL—RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

NOTICE

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Transfer Documents Returned Unrecorded

On (insert date), this office received Quit Claim Deeds from (insert claimant’s name) which transfers interest in the 

(insert claim names) mining claims, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial numbers (insert serial numbers) to 

(insert transferee’s name). There was no processing fee received with the Quit Claim Deeds.

In accordance with regulations at 43 CFR 3833.32(c), for each mining claim or site transferred, each transferee must 

pay the full nonrefundable processing fee which is currently $10 per claim or site (43 CFR 3000.12). Since the 

required processing fees were not received with the Quit Claim Deeds, the deeds cannot be processed and are hereby 

returned unrecorded. The deeds can be resubmitted for recording along with the proper processing fees in the amount 

of (insert amount).

Any questions regarding this Notice should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the letterhead 

or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

 Signature Block

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-40

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 30 – Transfer of Interest Accepted/Transfer of Interest 

Rejection 

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Numbers

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL—RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

NOTICE

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Quit Claim Deed Executed (Insert Date), Accepted

Quit Claim Deed Executed (Insert Date), Returned Unrecorded

On (insert date), this office received the following documents for recording:

 1. Quitclaim Deed executed (insert date), whereby (insert claimant name) conveyed his interest in the 

following mining claims to (insert transferee’s name):

Serial Number Claim Name

(Insert Serial Numbers) (Insert Claim Names)

 2. Quitclaim Deed executed (insert date), whereby (insert claimant name) conveyed his interest in the 

following mining claims to (insert transferee’s name):

Serial Number Claim Name

(Insert Serial Numbers) (Insert Claim Names)

Along with the documents above, a nonrefundable processing fee of $20 was received. In accordance with 

regulations at 43 CFR 3833.32(c), for each mining claim or site transferred, each transferee must pay a nonrefundable 

processing fee which is currently $10 per claim or site (43 CFR 3000.12). Since a total of 6 claims were being 

transferred to (insert transferee’s name), a $60 processing fee was required. 

Since this office only received a $20 processing fee, the (insert claim names) transfers will be recorded but we are not 

able to record the transfers for the (insert claim names) claims listed above because the required processing fee was 

not received. Accordingly, our records will now show that (insert transferee’s name) is the owner of the (insert claim 

names) mining claims, and the deed for the (insert claim names) claims is being returned unrecorded. This deed can 

be resubmitted for recordation along with the required $40 nonrefundable processing fee. 
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-41

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

Any questions regarding this Notice should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the letterhead 

or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

 Signature Block

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-42

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 31 – Relinquishment Accepted Notice

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

NOTICE

Claimant :

Mailing Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Relinquishment Accepted

On (insert date), this office received a notice of relinquishment from (insert claimant name) for the (insert mining 

claim names) lode mining claims, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial numbers (insert serial numbers). Your 

relinquishment became effective on (insert date), the day it was filed, and the subject claims have been closed. A 

copy of the notice of relinquishment is included with this Notice.

Insert Standard Reclamation Paragraphs

Any questions regarding this Notice should be directed to (insert adjudicator name) at the address in the above 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number). 

Signature Block

Enclosure

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-43

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 32 – One Claimant Relinquishment Acceptance

In Reply Refer To:

Serial Number Date

3833 (Office Code)

Remaining Claimant Name

Address

City, State, Zip Code

Relinquished Claimant Name

Address

City, State, Zip Code

Acknowledgement of Letter of Relinquishment

This office received a letter of relinquishment on (insert date) from (insert claimant name) for the (insert claim 

name) mining claim, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert serial number). A copy of the 

letter of relinquishment is enclosed.

Since (insert claimant name) has relinquished his/her rights to the above-named claim, the BLM records for this 

claim now show that (insert remaining claimant name) is the sole owner and will be responsible for filing the 

annual maintenance fee payment, or if qualified, a request for a waiver of the maintenance fee payment. The 

payment or the waiver request is due in this office on or before September 1, 20__.

If there are any questions regarding this action, please contact (insert name) at the address in the above letterhead 

or by calling (insert telephone number).

Signature Block

Enclosure

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-44

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 33 – Current Address Request

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3830 (Office Code)

Claimant Name

Mailing Address

City, State, Zip Code

Re: (Insert claim names and serial numbers)

Dear Claimant(s):

In reference to the above mining claims, please furnish this office with the correct mailing address for the 

claimants listed below. This information will allow us to update our records and keep all owners informed of 

any actions pertaining to the above-referenced mining claim(s). You may return this letter with the correct 

addresses, or if you choose to use a separate sheet, please be certain to include the above serial numbers.

CLAIMANT: (Insert claimant name) 

Mailing Address: ________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip Code: ____________________________________________________

CLAIMANT: (Insert claimant name) 

Mailing Address: ________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip Code: ____________________________________________________

Please contact this office at the address in the above letter or by telephone at (insert telephone number) if you 

have any questions regarding this request.

Sincerely,

Signature Block
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-45

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 34 – Form 3830-3 Notice of Intent to Locate
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-46

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-47

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 35 – NOITL Rejection (Filed Too Early)

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3838 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

DECISION

Claimant :

Mailing Address : Notice of Intent to Locate

City, State, Zip Code :

Notice of Intent to Locate Rejected

On (insert date), our office received a Notice of Intent to Locate a Lode or Placer Mining Claim(s) and/or Tunnel 

Site(s) on Lands Patented under the Stock Raising Homestead Act (SRHA) of 1916, as amended (NOITL). The 

NOITL was assigned Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert serial number) and covers the 

following land in (insert County and State name):

 (insert complete legal description as shown on the NOITL.)

Regulations at 43 CFR 3838.13 state the NOITL will expire 90 days after it is submitted to the BLM. After the 

NOITL expires, another NOITL for the same lands is not allowed to be filed by the applicant or its affiliate until 30 

days after the expiration of the previously filed NOITL. 

Our records show an approved NOITL, BLM serial number (insert serial number), which included the same lands as 

described above, expired on (insert date). Since the NOITL received on (insert date) was received within 30 days 

after the expiration of the previously filed NOITL (insert serial number), the NOITL filed on (insert date) is not 

acceptable and is hereby rejected. 

Insert standard appeal with stay information paragraphs.

Any questions regarding this Decision should be addressed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the above 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block

Enclosure

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-48

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 35a – NOITL – Additional Information Required - Affiliates

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3838 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL - RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

NOTICE

Claimant :

Mailing Address : Notice of Intent to Locate 

City, State, Zip Code : 

Acreage Limitations

Additional Information Required

On (insert date), our office received a Notice of Intent to Locate a Lode or Placer Mining Claim(s) and/or Tunnel 

Site(s) on Lands Patented under the Stock Raising Homestead Act (SRHA) of 1916, as amended (NOITL). The 

NOITL was assigned Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert serial number) and covers the 

following land in (insert County and State name):

 (insert complete legal description as shown on the NOITL.)

The SRHA states that a person and his or her affiliates may segregate under NOITLs a maximum acreage of 6,400 

acres in any one State or 1,280 acres of land that is owned by a single surface owner. The SRHA defines “affiliate” 

to mean, with respect to any person, “any person which controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, 

such person.” 

We have reviewed your NOITL to determine whether it complies with these statutory acreage limitations. We have 

reason to believe that this NOITL and others you or your affiliates have filed exceed the allowable acreage. The 

NOITLs we believe were filed by affiliates are:

(List NOITLs and names of filers).

The combined acreage of these NOITLs is (amount of acreage). We believe that the filers of these NOITLs are 

affiliates because (describe the evidence of noncompliance BLM has found).

You must submit clarifying documentation regarding the nature of the affiliation between the parties on the listed 

NOITLs. You must submit your response to this office within 30 days from the date you receive this decision. If 

BLM does not receive your response within this time frame or the information you timely submit is inadequate to 

show that the filers of these NOITLs are not affiliates, BLM will void the NOITLs that exceed the statutory acreage 

limitation and were most recently filed by these affiliates (see 43 C.F.R. § 3838.91). Furthermore, BLM will declare 

any mining claims located under the requested NOITLs null and void from the beginning in a subsequent final 

decision (see 43 C.F.R. §§ 3830.91(a)(8) & (b); 3838.91).

Any questions regarding this Decision should be addressed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the above 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-49

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 36 – NOITL Acceptance Form Letter

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3814 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED—RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

Applicant

Mailing Address

City, State, Zip Code

Notice of Intent to Locate Received and Posted

On (insert date), this office received a Notice of Intent to Locate (NOITL) a mining claim under the Stock Raising 

Homestead Act of 1916, as amended. The NOITL was assigned Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial 

number (insert serial number), and should be referenced in any written correspondence you have with our office 

regarding your NOITL and when filing your new mining claim locations. 

The NOITL was posted in our Information Access Center on (insert date of posting). The 90-day 

segregation period of the land began on (insert date of posting) and will end (insert date – 90 days after the 

date of posting). 

The information provided along with your NOITL shows the surface owner was served a copy of your NOITL and 

that the certified card was signed by the surface owner on (insert date). Accordingly, exploration under the NOITL 

can begin 30 days from that date and will continue through the remainder of the 90-day segregation period. 

Exploration is subject to the requirements of 43 CFR 3838.15. The effects of the 90-day segregation period will be 

extended if surface owner consent is not received and a plan of operations is required to be filed in accordance with 

the BLM regulations at 43 CFR 3809 within the 90-day period.

Any questions regarding the NOITL or this correspondence should be addressed to (insert name of adjudicator) at 

the address in the above letterhead, or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block

 
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-50

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 37 – NOITL Rejected Prior to 90-day Segregation Period

In Reply Refer To:

Serial Number

3838 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL-- RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

DECISION

Claimant :

Mailing Address : Notice of Intent to Locate

City, State, Zip Code :

Notice of Intent to Locate Rejected

On (insert date), this office received your Notice of Intent to Locate a Lode or Placer Mining Claim(s) and/or Tunnel 

Site(s) on Lands Patented under the Stock Raising Homestead Act (SRHA) of 1916, as amended (NOITL). The 

NOITL covers the following land in (insert County and State name):

(Insert complete legal description.)

The NOITL is missing the following mandatory statutory information that must be provided at the time the NOITL 

is filed with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM): (Mark all that apply or can be formatted with bullets or 

numbering.)

 Claimant name and address.

 Legal description of the land on which the NOITL applies. The legal description will be based on the 

public land survey or other sufficient description so that the NOITL can be noted and recorded on the 

public land status records.

 The processing fee as required by 43 CFR 3000.12. (The adjudicator can list the current amount of the 

fee.)

NOTE to Adjudicator: The processing fee must be received along with the NOITL. If there is no processing fee, 

the NOITL is not acceptable and should be automatically returned by accounting personnel (43 CFR 3830.97). If the 

processing fee is received and some or all of the other statutory information is not received, the NOITL will be 

rejected and the processing fee will be kept.

Accordingly, since the above statutory information (or if it was just the processing fee, state since the processing fee 

was not received) was not received, the NOITL is unacceptable and is hereby rejected and returned unrecorded. 

There is no segregation of the land until the NOITL is received with the statutory information and processing fee.

Insert Standard Appeal Paragraph with Stay Information.

Any questions regarding the NOITL or this Decision should be addressed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in 

the above letterhead, or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-51

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 38 – NOITL Regulatory Information Request

In Reply Refer To:

Serial Number

3838 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL-- RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

NOTICE

Claimant :

Mailing Address : Notice of Intent to Locate

City, State, Zip Code :

Notice of Intent to Locate

Additional Information Required

On (insert date), this office received your Notice of Intent to Locate a Lode or Placer Mining Claim(s) and/or Tunnel 

Site(s) on Lands Patented under the Stock Raising Homestead Act (SRHA) of 1916, as amended (NOITL). The 

NOITL was assigned Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert serial number) and covers the 

following land in (insert County and State name):

(Insert complete legal description.)

The NOITL was posted in our Information Access Center on (insert date). The 90-day segregation period of the land 

began on (insert day after the acceptable NOITL was received), however, the NOITL is missing the following 

mandatory regulatory information which must also be provided: (Mark all that apply or can be listed with bullets or 

numbering.)

 Evidence of title of surface owner. A copy of the county records showing who the taxpayer for the 

property is, a certificate of title, or proof of title insurance is acceptable as evidence;

 A copy of the certified mail receipt card showing the surface owner was served a copy of the NOITL;

 The names, mailing addresses, and telephone numbers of all known surface owners of the land included 

in the NOITL;

 A telephone number of the NOITL applicant;

 Total number of acres covered by the NOITL;

 Brief description of the proposed mineral activity;

 The name, mailing address, and telephone number of the person who will be managing the activities;

 A list of the dates on which the activities will take place;

 Map showing access routes.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

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BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

The missing mandatory regulatory information is required and must be submitted. Once the requested information is 

received, a corrected NOITL will be posted with the original posting certificate. 

Accordingly, you are hereby allowed 30 days from your receipt of this notice in which to furnish the mandatory 

regulatory information. Failure to furnish the mandatory regulatory information within the time allowed will result in 

the rejection of the NOITL, and any claims filed in connection with the NOITL will be declared null and void ab 

initio.

Any questions regarding the NOITL or this Notice should be addressed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the 

above letterhead, or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-53

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 39 – NOITL Rejected Statutory Regulatory Information Not 

Received 

In Reply Refer To:

Serial Number

3838 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL-- RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

DECISION

Claimant :

Mailing Address : Notice of Intent to Locate

City, State, Zip Code :

Notice of Intent to Locate Mining Claims Rejected

On (insert date), this office received a Notice of Intent to Locate a Lode or Placer Mining Claim(s) and/or Tunnel 

Site(s) on Lands Patented under the Stock Raising Homestead Act (SRHA) of 1916 (43 U.S.C. § 29), as amended 

(NOITL) from (insert name). The NOITL was assigned Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert 

serial number) and covers the following land in (insert County and State name):

(Insert complete legal description.)

By Notice dated (insert date), this office requested the applicant (insert name) to submit missing mandatory 

regulatory information to complete the NOITL. A copy of the Notice is enclosed. The (insert date) Notice allowed 

the applicant 30 days from receipt of the Notice in which to furnish the required information. Failure to do so would 

result in the rejection of the NOITL. As of this date, we have not received the missing mandatory regulatory 

information. Accordingly, the NOITL is hereby rejected. Since the NOITL is rejected and is considered to be void 

and not properly filed, the segregation period is no longer in effect. Additionally, if any mining claim or tunnel site 

was located pursuant to this NOITL, they are considered null and void, ab initio.

NOTE TO ADJUDICATOR: If any mining claims or tunnel sites were located pursuant to this NOITL within the 

90-day segregation period, and filed with the BLM, they will be declared null and void, ab initio.

Insert Standard Appeal Paragraph with Stay Information.

Insert Standard Reclamation Paragraphs if mining claims had been located.

Any questions regarding this Decision should be addressed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the above 

letterhead, or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block

Enclosure

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-54

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 40 – NOITL Serial Register Page
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-55

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 41 – NOITL Posting Notice

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

(Insert BLM State Office or use Letterhead)

Serial Number 

Beginning (insert date), the attached Notice of Intent to Locate segregates Federal locatable minerals for a 

period of 90 days, from exploration, location, or from application to acquire the minerals pursuant to 

Section 209 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. The segregation period expires on (insert 

date).

CERTIFICATE AS TO POSTING

I HEREBY CERTIFY that a Notice of Intent to Locate (Form 3830-3), a copy of which is attached, 

was posted in a conspicuous place in the Office shown above. The Notice was posted on the 

__________ day of ____________________, 20__, and remained posted until the __________ day of 

____________________, 20__.

_______________________________ ____________________________________________

 (Date) (Signature of Officer)

________________________________________

(Title)

Notice must be kept posted during entire period of publication.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

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BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 42 – NOITL Null and Void Decision. Claim Not Covered by 

NOITL

In Reply Refer To:

Serial Number

3814 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL – RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

DECISION

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Mining Claim Declared Null and Void Ab Initio

On (insert date), this office received a Certificate of Location (CoL) for the (insert claim name) mining claim, which 

was assigned Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert serial number). The CoL for the (insert 

claim name) mining claim indicates the claim is located in the (insert complete legal description such as: SW1⁄4 sec. 

22, T. 13 N., R. 5 E., MD Mer.,) in (insert county and state name). According to the official records of this office, 

this land was patented and the mineral estate was reserved to the United States under the Stock Raising Homestead 

Act (SRHA) of 1916 (43 U.S.C. § 299), as amended. In accordance with 43 CFR 3838.11, mining claims cannot be 

located on lands patented under the SRHA until the claimant first files a notice of intent to locate (NOITL) with the 

proper BLM office and serves a copy of the NOITL upon the surface owner of record.

On (insert date), this office issued a Notice to (insert claimant name) requesting additional information regarding the 

(insert claim name) mining claim and whether the claimant had filed the required NOITL or if perhaps the claimant 

was the surface owner of the above-described land. A copy of the Notice is enclosed with this Decision. 

The (insert date), Notice allowed (insert claimant name) 30 days from (his/her) receipt of the Notice in which to 

furnish the requested information. According to the information on the return receipt card (or insert the information 

used to calculate the date), the Notice was received on (insert date Notice was delivered). The requested information 

was not received in this office in the time allowed. Accordingly, since no response has been received, and there is no 

record of the required NOITL being filed in this office, the (insert claim name) mining claim is hereby declared null 

and void ab initio. 

Insert Standard Reclamation Paragraphs

Insert Standard Appeal with Stay Information Paragraphs

Any questions regarding this Decision should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the above 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

 Signature Block

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

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BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 43 – Standard Extralateral Rights Paragraph

Care should be taken to avoid mining operations on land closed to mineral entry that could subject the operator to 

legal action. 

In accordance with our Washington Office Manual guidance, this letter is to provide you with the following 

information: 

 

“Under certain conditions, the end and side lines of a lode may be extended onto land not

open to mineral entry in order to obtain extralateral rights on the land still open to mineral

entry. The extension of lines onto the land not open to entry does not give the lode claimant

any surface or mineral rights in such lands, but only serves to protect the apex rights on the

land open to entry. The extended portion of the lode claim is not therefore, null and void

ab initio. (Santa Fe Mining, Inc. (79 IBLA 48) (1984)).”

The portion of (insert claim name) mining claim lying outside the patented area is located on land open to mineral 

entry. That portion of the claim remains in compliance with the recordation requirements of 43 CFR 3838.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

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BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 44 – Surface Ownership Additional Requirement Notice

In Reply Refer To:

Serial Number Date

3833 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

Notice

Claimant Name :

Mailing Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Additional Information Requested

A land status review of the (insert claim name) unpatented mining claim, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial 

number (insert serial number) has been performed to determine the status of the land claimed on the date of location. 

The claim is located in (insert legal description, including County).

The (insert claim name) mining claim is located on split estate land where the surface is private and the minerals 

belong to the United States, reserved under the Stock Raising Homestead Act of 1916. A copy of the Master Title 

Plat is attached with this Decision. To locate and record a mining claim on the above-described land, a claimant must 

first file a Notice of Intent to Locate (NOITL), Form 3830-3 (copy enclosed), with the proper BLM State Office, and 

serve a copy of the NOITL upon the surface owner(s) of record, by registered or certified mail, return receipt 

requested (43 CFR 3838.11). The claimant must wait 30 days after the surface owner is served a copy of the NOITL 

before entering the lands to explore for minerals and/or locate a mining claim or tunnel site.

We have searched our records and find no indication that you filed a required NOITL prior to the location of the 

(insert claim name) mining claim. If in fact you did file the NOITL, please send us a copy of the NOITL along with 

the assigned BLM serial number that would have been provided when the NOITL was filed. If you are the surface 

owner of the above-described land, please provide proof of ownership by submitting a copy of the property tax 

receipt from the County Assessor’s Office. The tax receipt must contain your name as the tax payer and the legal 

description of the taxed parcel. 

You are hereby allowed 30 days from receipt of this Notice in which to supply the requested information. Failure to 

do so will result in the (insert claim name) mining claim being declared null and void ab initio in its entirety.

Any questions regarding this Notice should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the above 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

 Signature Block

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-59

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 45 – Surface Owner Rejection Decision

In Reply Refer To:

Serial Number

3838 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURNED RECEIPT REQUESTED

DECISION

Claimant Name :

Mailing Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Mining Claim Recordation Rejected

Location Notice Returned Unrecorded

On (insert date), this office received a Location Certificate for the (insert claim name) placer mining claim. The 

claim was issued Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert serial number). In reviewing the 

location certificate, the following deficiencies were found:

1. The date of location on the location certificate was left blank. The date the claim is located is required in 

accordance with regulations at 43 CFR 3833.1(a) because your claim must be recorded with the BLM within 

90 days of the date of location. Without this date on the location certificate, it cannot be determined if the 

location certificate was received within that 90-day time period.

2. The claim is located on lands that were patented under the Stock Raising Homestead Act of 1916 (SRHA), 

as amended. Even though the minerals were reserved to the United States when the lands were patented 

under the SRHA, the land is not available for mineral location until the claimant has filed a Notice of Intent 

to Locate (NOITL) with the proper BLM state office and a copy of the NOITL has been served upon the 

surface owner(s) of record by certified or registered mail (43 CFR 3838). In reviewing our records, there is 

no indication that the required NOITL has been filed for this claim.

Inadvertently leaving the date of location blank on the location notice would not in itself cause the recordation of the 

claim to be rejected, and would be a curable defect. However, since no NOITL has been received prior to the 

location of the (insert mining claim name) mining claim, the location certificate is not acceptable and the recordation 

of the claim is hereby rejected. A copy of the regulations for locating and recording mining claims and tunnel sites 

on SRHA lands is enclosed with this Decision.

Insert Standard Reclamation Paragraphs

Insert Standard Appeal with Stay Information Paragraphs

If no appeal to this Decision is taken, a refund of the location and maintenance fees in the amount of (insert amount) 

will be authorized and should be received from the U.S. Treasury within 4 to 6 weeks. The processing fee is 

nonrefundable and will not be returned. 
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

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BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

Any questions regarding this Decision should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the above 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

 Signature Block

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-61

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 46 – Placer Claim in a Power Site Classification

In Reply Refer To:

Serial Number

3730 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

NOTICE

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Location

City, State, Zip Code :

Claims Located in Power Site Classification

This office received a location notice for the (insert claim name) placer mining claim on (insert date received). The 

claim was issued Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert serial number). This number should be 

used in all future correspondence with this office regarding the claim.

We completed the land status review for the (insert claim name) mining claim and our records show that on the date the 

claim was located, (insert location date), a portion or all of the land was withdrawn by (insert power withdrawal or site 

information. Example: Power Site Classification 280 dated December 19, 1933, and Secretarial Order Interpretation 

No. 227 dated April 11, 1939). 

The Mining Claims Rights Restoration Act of August 11, 1955 (PL 359) (30 U.S.C. §§ 621-625), opened land 

withdrawn for power development to the location of mining claims. However, no land within a power project 

operating or being constructed under a license or permit issued under the Federal Power Act, or under a preliminary 

permit issued under the Federal Power Act, is open to mining claim location. 

Consistent with PL 359, you are hereby notified that you may not conduct any placer mining operations on the (insert 

claim name) placer mining claim for the next 60 days while the Secretary of the Interior (insert and the Secretary of 

Agriculture if applicable) considers the possibility of holding a public hearing to determine whether placer mining 

operations would substantially interfere with other uses of the land. If it is determined during this 60-day period that 

a hearing is required, you will be notified that no mining can take place until the Secretary of the Interior has held the 

hearing and issued an appropriate order. If you are not notified within 60 days that a hearing will take place, you may 

begin placer mining operations, subject to compliance with all applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

Any questions regarding this Notice should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the above 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

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BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 47 – Lode Claim, Mill Site or Tunnel Site in a Power Site

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3730 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

NOTICE

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Location

City, State, Zip Code :

Claims Located in Power Site Classification

We received location notices for the (insert claim names) unpatented lode mining claims, on (insert date). The 

claims have been serialized as (insert serial numbers). We reviewed the land status for the claims and have found the 

claims are located within Power Site Classification No. 455 (Public Land Order 3793) dated August 17, 1965. 

The Mining Claims Rights Restoration Act of August 11, 1955 (PL 359) (30 U.S.C. §§ 621-625), authorizes the 

location of mining claims on public lands withdrawn for power purposes. Power site classifications are open to 

mineral entry, providing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) reports there are no active projects and 

that the third proviso of Section 2 of PL 359 does not apply. 

We have requested a report from the FERC and you will be notified if there are any active projects that would 

conflict with your mining claim.

Any questions regarding this Notice should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the above 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

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BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 48(a) – FERC Request Letter – NOTE: Send an original 

with seven copies.

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3730 (Office Code)

Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Mail Code: DHAC

888 1st St, NE

Washington, DC 20426

Dear Ms. Bose:

Enclosed are copies of the location notice with map for the (insert claim name) unpatented mining claim, serial 

number (insert serial number). The claim is located in (insert complete legal description). A copy of the Master 

Title Plat (MTP) for this township is enclosed. The (insert claim name) mining claim was located by (insert 

claimant’s name and mailing address) on (insert location date). The location notice was received in this office on 

(insert date received).

According to the MTP, the claim is located within (Insert power withdrawal information. For example: Power Site 

Classification 280 dated December 19, 1933, and Secretarial Order Interpretation No. 227 dated April 11, 1939.) 

(Note to adjudication: Replace this information with the applicable information for your case.)

Please review the location for the (insert claim name) and send us your report regarding the availability of the lands 

for mineral entry and the applicability of the third proviso of Section 2 of Public Law 359. We would appreciate 

receiving your report by (insert date).

If you have any questions, please contact (insert name) at the address in the above letter, or by calling (insert 

telephone number).

Sincerely, 

Signature Block

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

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BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 48(b) – Report Request Notice – Note: Can be used for 

FERC, USFS, and/or BLM

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3730 (Office Code)

NOTICE

You are hereby notified that the placer mining claim listed below was filed in this office pursuant to Public Law 359 

(PL 359) (69 Stat. 681). Please indicate your response on the duplicate copy of this notice and return it to this office 

by (insert date).

Claimants: (Insert claimant name(s))

Name of Claim: (Insert claim name)

Serial Number: (Insert serial number)

Located: (Insert location date)

Location: (Insert legal description. Example: SE1⁄4SE1⁄4 sec. 22, T. 32 N., R. 5 E., MD Mer., Calaveras County, 

California)

Date of filing under PL 359: (Insert date)

Signature Block

Distribution:

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission with copy of Notice of Location and Status Report

The Third Proviso of Section 2 of the law does does not apply.

********************************************************************************************

Forest Supervisor, (Insert applicable Forest Service Office) National Forest with copy of Notice of Location and 

Status Report

Bureau of Land Management, (Insert District or Field Office Name), District or Field Office Manager

Placer mining operations would would not substantially interfere with other uses of the land within the 

claim.

Date signed: ____________________________Signature and Title ______________________________________
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

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BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 48(c) – Other Agency PL359 Notification

Note: It is optional to send this type of notification to other interested state or Federal agencies. 

The agencies listed below are just a sample of agencies only. Follow your state procedures 

regarding the applicable agencies within your state.

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3730 (Office Code)

NOTICE

___ Power Company (use the appropriate power company for your state), w/Notice of Location and 

status report

___ Department of Parks and Recreation, State of (insert state)

___ Department of Water Resources, State of (insert state)

___ Department of Fish and Game, Environmental Services Branch, State of (insert state)

___ Regional Water Quality Control Board, State of (insert state)

___ Bureau of Reclamation, Mid Pacific Region, U.S. Department of the Interior

You are hereby notified of the filing of the Notice of Location of a placer mining claim in this office 

pursuant to Section 2(b) of Public Law 359 (69 Stat. 681) of August 11, 1955.

Claimants: (insert claimant name(s))

Name of Claim: (Insert claim name)

Serial Number: (Insert serial number)

Located: (Insert location date)

Location: (Insert legal description. Example: SE1⁄4SE1⁄4 sec. 22, T. 32 N., R. 5 E., MD Mer., Calaveras County, 

California)

Date of filing under PL 359: (Insert date)

The surface managing agency listed below is evaluating the effect of placer mining on other uses of the 

land within the claim. Any facts which are relevant to other uses of the land, or any questions you may 

have should be communicated to that office by (insert date). 

Signature Block

___ U. S. Forest Service, Forest Supervisor, National Forest, (insert complete address and 

contact information)

___ Bureau of Land Management, Field Office Manager, (insert Field or District Office) Field Office, 

Bureau of Land Management (insert complete address and contact information)
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ILLUSTRATION 48(d) – FERC Electronic Filing Instructions

FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20426 

OFFICE OF ENERGY PROJECTS 

March 15, 2011

Dear Sir/Madam: 

This is to advise you of certain staff and procedural changes related to our review of Federal land 

issues. Periodically your office requests our review of Federal lands for such purposes as mining claims, 

oil and gas mineral leases, rights-of-way, and power site land withdrawals and vacations. These requests 

may have been mailed or faxed directly addressed to Mr. Mark Hooper, who was the lead staff person 

handling such requests. Mr. Hooper is no longer with the Commission, and his duties have been 

reassigned to other staff. New procedures to help ensure that your requests are properly recorded and 

processed in a timely manner are being implemented. The most significant change is the availability for 

you to file Federal lands review requests electronically via the Internet. 

Filing your requests electronically will enable your documents to be entered and processed more 

quickly into our eLibrary system. This in turn will allow quicker access to images of the documents and 

related files. The Commission will assign your request a FERC Docket identifier with a prefix of MC, ML, 

EP, or DV as appropriate for mining claims, oil and gas mineral leases, rights-of-way, and power site land 

withdrawals and vacations. Please refer to http://www.ferc.gov/docs-filing/elibrary/docket-prefix.pdf on our 

website for a full list of Docket prefixes and their descriptions. A sample of this new format is MC##~%~***; 

where # represents the fiscal year, % represents the numerical order of the filing, and * represents future 

or additional actions under the filing. The Docket identifier can be used to search the eLibrary system for 

documents of particular interest. The eLibrary system can also be searched by “Filed Date” or searched for 

a particular text string. To help ensure that the BLM reference number is recorded in the eLibrary 

description field, in all correspondence please include a Subject: line which includes your BLM reference 

number, and the type of request.

With regard to the BLM reference number, it will be text searchable from the FERC Generated 

PDF, using the General Search or the Advanced Search options in eLibrary. For example, the 

document(s) under MC 11-2-000 which relate to BLM reference number IMC202889, will be returned by 

the search variable shown below as long as the date ranges selected (or other limiting selections) don’t 

otherwise rule out the document(s). The following image shows a sample text search on our web site.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

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ILLUSTRATION 48(d) – FERC Electronic Filing Instructions (page 2)

Finally, when filing Federal lands review requests, we would appreciate it if you would 

include a latitude/longitude in decimal degrees representative of the proximity location of the 

area under review. This will help us to develop a GIS database of Federal lands reviewed for 

future reference. 
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BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 48(d) – FERC Electronic Filing Instructions (page 3) 

The Commission strongly encourages electronic filing. See 18 CFR 385.2001 (a) (1) 

(iii) and the instructions on the Commission’s website at http://www.ferc.gov/docs filing/efiling.asp 

for more information on electronic filing and registering for a FERC Online account. If you 

choose to not electronically file your requests, you may file an original and seven copies of the 

request with: 

Kimberly D. Bose, Secretary

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Mail Code: DHAC

888 First Street, N.E.

Washington, DC 20426 

If this notification has been misdirected to you, please forward it to the appropriate 

office/staff. If you have questions regarding this letter, please contact Henry Woo at 202-502-

8872, or at henry.woo@ferc.gov. 

Sincerely, 

Charles K. Cover, P.E.

Chief, Project Review Branch

Division of Hydropower Administration 

and Compliance 
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ILLUSTRATION 49 – Surface Management Agency Notification Letter

In Response Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3730 (Office Code)

Surface Management Agency Contact

Agency Name

Mailing Address

City, State, Zip Code

Dear (insert contact name);

On (insert date), our office received a location notice for the (insert claim name) placer mining claim, Bureau of 

Land Management serial number (insert serial number). The claim is located in (insert complete legal description),

within (insert the applicable classification information such as: Power Site Classification 280 dated December 19, 

1933, and Secretarial Order Interpretation No. 227 dated April 11, 1939).

The Mining Claims Rights Restoration Act of August 11, 1955 (30 U.S.C. §§ 621-625), authorizes the location of 

mining claims on public lands withdrawn for power purposes. Power site classifications are open to mineral entry, 

providing the surface management agency and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) have no 

objection to mining.

In addition, placer mining claims recorded in power site withdrawals are subject to a 60-day waiting period whereby 

no mining will be conducted. During this 60-day period, the Secretary of the Interior must determine whether to hold 

a public hearing to determine whether placer mining operations would substantially interfere with other uses of the 

land.

Our records indicate that the (insert claim name) is located within the (insert surface management agency name – for 

example Payette National Forest). As the surface management agency, please review the enclosed location notice,

maps, and Master Title Plat (MTP) to determine if a public hearing will be required. We would appreciate receiving 

your report by (insert date).

If you have any questions, please contact (insert name) at the address in the above letter, or by calling (insert 

telephone number).

Sincerely, 

 Signature Block

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
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ILLUSTRATION 50 – Contest Transmittal Form 1850-1
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ILLUSTRATION 51 – Hearing Required Notice

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3736 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

 NOTICE

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Hearing Required

On (insert date), this office received a location notice from (insert claimant name) for the (insert claim name) 

unpatented placer mining claim. The claim was assigned Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert 

serial number). During our land status review, we determined that the (insert claim name) was located within (insert 

Power site or project information – Example: Power Site Classification No. 146, dated April 20, 1926). By Notice 

dated (insert date) (copy enclosed), the claimant was notified that:

1. Power Site Classifications are open to mineral entry, provided that the lands are not included in any project 

operated or being constructed under a license or permit issued under the Federal Power Act or are under 

examination and survey by a prospective licensee of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC)

under an uncancelled preliminary permit that has not been renewed more than once, and

2. Placer claims located within a power site withdrawal are subject to a 60-day waiting period whereby no 

mining operations will be conducted while the Secretary determines whether to hold a public hearing to 

determine if placer mining operations will substantially interfere with other uses of the lands..

On (insert date), the Mining Engineer/Hazmat Coordinator for the (insert surface managing agency) filed a request 

for a hearing to prohibit placer mining on the (insert claim name). In accordance with Section 2(b) of the Mining 

Claims Rights Restoration Act of August 11, 1955, (69 Stat. 681) a hearing will be held to determine one of the 

following results:

1. Complete prohibition of placer mining;

2. Permission to engage in placer mining upon the condition that the locator will, following placer operations, 

restore the surface of the claims to the condition in which they were immediately prior to those operations; 

or

3. General permission to engage in placer mining.

Your file for the (insert claim name) has been forwarded to the Office of Hearings & Appeals and you will be 

notified by that office when a date has been set for the hearing. As this notice is being provided to you within the 60-

day period described above, you are hereby advised that no mining operations are permitted on the (insert claim 

name) until after the hearing has been held.
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Any questions regarding this Notice should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the above 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block

Enclosure

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.

cc: Insert appropriate cc copies such as for the applicable Forest Service.
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ILLUSTRATION 52 – Certificate of Posting

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Use appropriate letterhead for your state office

Certificate as to Posting

Bureau Office: Insert State Office

 

Serial Number: Insert Mining Claim Serial Number

I HEREBY CERTIFY that a Transmittal of Contest or other Proceeding for Hearing , a copy of which is 

attached, was posted in a conspicuous place in this Office, shown above, for a period of at least thirty (30) days. The 

Notice was posted on the __________ day of __________________________, and remained posted until the 

__________ day of _______________________________. 

_______________________________ ____________________________________________

 (Date) (Signature of Officer)

_____________________________________________

(Title)
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ILLUSTRATION 53- Motion to Dismiss

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

(Use appropriate letterhead for your state office)

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

OFFICE OF HEARINGS AND APPEALS

HEARINGS DIVISION

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, ) Contest No. IDI-35723

through the BUREAU OF LAND )

MANAGEMENT )

)

Contestant, ) CONTESTANT’S MOTION TO 

) DISMISS WITHOUT PREJUDICE 

v. ) AND WITHDRAWAL OF REQUEST

) FOR HEARING

(Insert Claimant Name) )

)

Contestee. )

)

The Bureau of Land Management does hereby move to withdraw its (insert date), request for hearing on the (insert 

claim name) (insert BLM serial number) unpatented placer mining claim, without prejudice to re-file a request for a hearing at 

some future date. We have determined that the areas of concern can be protected through a plan of operations to be submitted by 

the claimants and approved by the Bureau of Land Management, (insert BLM Field Office). 

The Bureau of Land Management wishes to reserve the right to re-file a request for a P.L. 359 hearing if it 

determines that the aforementioned plan of operations will not protect the areas of concern. The Bureau of Land Management 

acknowledges that, by dismissing this action, the automatic suspension of mining operations pending a hearing, provided for 

under 30 U.S.C. § 621(b), will no longer be in effect. Further, the Bureau of Land Management acknowledges 
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that any request for re-hearing would be more than 60 days after the filing of the notice of location by the contestees; thus, the 

automatic suspension of mining operations pending a hearing would not be re-established.

Respectfully submitted this _____ day of ______________________________. 

_______________________________________

Signature Block (Signed by Solicitor’s Office – NOT the BLM)
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ILLUSTRATION 54 – Certificate of Service

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that on (insert date), I served a true and correct copy of the attached CONTESTANT’S 

MOTION TO DISMISS WITHOUT PREJUDICE AND WITHDRAWAL OF REQUEST FOR 

HEARING by certified mail, return receipt requested, on the following:

Administrative Law Judge

Office of Hearings and Appeals

405 South Main Street, Suite 400

Salt Lake City, Utah 84111

Claimant Name

Address

City, State, Zip Code

______________________________________

Signature Block (Solicitor’s Office – NOT the BLM)
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ILLUSTRATION 55 – Deferment Granted Decision

In Reply Refer To:

Serial Number

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL -- RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

DECISION

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State Zip Code :

Petition for Deferment of Assessment Work Granted

On (insert date), (insert claimant name) filed a Petition for Deferment of Assessment Work for the (insert claim 

name and serial number) for the assessment year beginning on September 1, (insert year) and ending on 

September 1, (insert year), together with the required processing fee.

(Insert claimant name) met the requirements in regulations 43 CFR 3836 Subpart B for requesting a deferment of 

assessment work and is hereby granted a deferment from the performance of the assessment work for the (insert year)

assessment year subject to the following conditions:

1. The deferment will terminate automatically if the reason for the deferment ends. 

2. The deferred assessment work may be performed any time after the deferment ends (insert deferment 

ending date), however, it must be completed before the end of the following assessment year (insert 

ending of next assessment year). This is in addition to completing the regular assessment due at that 

time.

3. The deferment can be renewed for one additional assessment year if a valid reason for the deferment 

continues. A deferment can be renewed only one time. 

4. You may choose to pay the annual maintenance fee for the deferred year instead of performing the 

deferred assessment work.

When the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) grants a deferment of assessment work, you must record a copy of the 

decision granting your petition in the county where the claims are located. You must also submit a notice of intent to 

hold to the BLM on or before December 30 of the calendar year in which the assessment year ends (insert year). The 

notice of intent to hold must state that BLM has deferred the assessment work requirement (43 CFR 3835.31(c)).

When you submit a notice of intent to hold you are also required to submit:

1. A copy of the BLM decision granting a deferment of the annual assessment work; or

2. A copy of a pending petition for deferment of the annual assessment work including the date you 

submitted the petition; or 

3. Any other documentation in the notice of intent to hold supporting why you are filing a notice of intent to 

hold instead of an assessment work filing; (43 CFR 3835.33); and
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4. A $10 non-refundable processing fee for each claim.

NOTE TO ADJUDICATOR: APPEAL PARAGRAPH NOT REQUIRED.

Any questions regarding this Decision should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the above 

letterhead or by calling (insert telephone number).

Signature Block

Enclosure

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
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ILLUSTRATION 56 – Deferment Denied Decision

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

DECISION

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Petition for Deferment of Assessment Work Denied

Maintenance Fee Payment Required

On (insert date), this office received a Petition for Deferment of the Assessment Work for the (enter year) assessment 

year from (claimant name) for the (insert claim names, and if there are too many to list in the Decision, attach a 

separate listing) mining claims, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial numbers (insert serial numbers). 

The reason given by (insert claimant name) for requesting the deferment of the assessment work is due to the death 

of Chester E. Farrow and the fact that his estate has not been settled thereby causing the funds in the estate to not be 

available. (Note to adjudicator – The reason has been left as an example. You would insert the applicable 

reason after the phrase “due to the” in the first sentence.)

The requirements for obtaining a deferment of assessment work are set forth in the BLM's regulations at 43 CFR 

3836 Subpart B. Those regulations provide that a deferment may be granted only to mining claimants who file a 

qualifying small miner waiver (43 CFR 3836.23(a)(4)) and who have been denied access to the mining claim or 

group of mining claims or who have received from the Federal government a declaration of taking or notice of intent 

to take the claim (43 CFR 3836.21).

When a petition for deferment is denied by the authorized officer, the maintenance fees that were due on 

September 1, (insert year), must be paid within 60 days of receipt of the decision of the authorized officer denying 

the petition for deferment. Failure to pay the maintenance fees will cause the claims included in the petition to be 

deemed forfeited by operation of law. Accordingly, (insert claimant name) is hereby allowed 60 days from his 

receipt of this Decision in which to pay the required maintenance fees for the (insert claim names or they can be 

listed on an attachment) mining claims.

Insert Standard Appeal with Stay Information Paragraphs
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Any questions regarding this Decision should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the above 

letterhead or by calling (insert telephone number).

 Signature Block

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
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BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 57 – QCD for Severed Claim Rejection Notice (No Fees)

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

NOTICE

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Quit Claim Deed Returned Unrecorded

On (insert date), this office received a quitclaim deed for the (insert claim name) which transfers and severs a portion 

of the mining claim known as the (insert claim name), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert 

serial number) (the “parent” claim).

The recordation of the quitclaim deed for the (insert claim name) is rejected and the quitclaim deed is returned 

unrecorded because the deed was received without the required processing fee. In accordance with regulations at 43 

CFR 3833.32(c), for each mining claim or site transferred, a nonrefundable processing fee of $10 per claim per 

transferee is required at the time a conveyance document is filed with the BLM. Additionally, when a transfer is 

received that severs acreage from the parent claim, an additional new mining claim processing fee ($insert current 

processing fee) is required since a new case file with a new serial number will be created for the new severed claim.

Even though the deed is being returned unrecorded, the deed can be resubmitted to this office along with the proper 

processing fees, and all else being regular, the transfer will be processed in accordance with our office procedures and 

the records updated accordingly. 

Any questions regarding this Notice should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the above 

letterhead or by calling (insert telephone number).

 Signature Block

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.

cc: (insert transferor’s name and address) (w/o enclosures)
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ILLUSTRATION 58 – QCD for Severed Claim Rejection Decision (Legal 

Description Discrepancy)

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

DECISION

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Quit Claim Deed Returned Unrecorded

On (insert date), this office received a quitclaim deed for the (insert claim name) mining claim which transfers and 

severs a portion of the (insert claim name) placer mining claim (the "parent" claim), Bureau of Land Management 

(BLM) serial number (insert serial number), together with nonrefundable processing fees totaling $(insert total 

money received) ($10 per transferee per claim for the transfer of interest and $20 to establish a new case file). A new 

case file has been established for the (insert new claim name) mining claim, which has been serialized as (insert new 

serial number). This new serial number should be used in any future correspondence with this office regarding the 

(insert new claim name) mining claim.

In reviewing the quitclaim deed and the legal description of the lands being transferred, it is noted that the deed lists 

land that was not originally included in the parent claim. Our records show that the description on the deed listed as 

the (insert legal description) is not part of the parent mining claim. A copy of the original location notice and map 

for the (insert parent claim name) are enclosed with this Decision.

A segregation deed creates a new and separate mining claim from a severed portion of a properly located and 

recorded parent unpatented mining claim. The new segregated claim can be created from only those lands located 

within the boundaries of the parent claim. No additional lands may be added. The deed for the (insert new claim 

name) describes land totaling 10 acres, but since the (insert new claim name) includes land that was not in the parent 

claim, there are actually only 5 acres being transferred from the parent claim, as shown on the attached worksheet.

The BLM policy in Washington Office Instruction Memorandum No. 2007-185, dated September 7, 2007, states that 

the BLM will not record transfer documents which subdivide an existing placer mining claim into parcels of less than 

10 acres. Transfers of subdivided placer mining claims of less than 10 acres will be rejected and returned to the 

transferee without further action. Because the quitclaim deed submitted for the (insert new claim name) subdivides 

the parent claim as to only a 5-acre parcel, it is hereby rejected and returned unrecorded.
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Insert Standard Appeal with Stay Information Paragraphs

Any questions regarding this Decision should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the above 

letterhead or by calling (insert telephone number).

 Signature Block

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.

cc: (insert transferor’s name and address)
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ILLUSTRATION 59- Sample Publication Notice
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ILLUSTRATION 60 – Notice of Forfeiture Acquiring a Delinquent Co-Claimant’s Interest 

in a Mining Claim Rejection Notice

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3837 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

NOTICE

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Notice of Forfeiture Returned Unrecorded

On (insert date), this office received a certified copy of the (insert the actual name of the Notice – such as 

“Notice of Forfeiture”) which was served on (insert claimant name), by certified mail. The Notice 

instructed (insert claimant name) that (he/she) should come forth and pay (his/her) share of the expenses 

incurred for the following unpatented mining claims: 

 Claim Name Serial Number

In reviewing our records, we found evidence that the above-named claimant did in fact pay maintenance 

fees to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for the (insert year(s)) assessment years.

Accordingly, the “Notice of Forfeiture” filed on (insert date) is hereby returned unrecorded. Our records 

will continue to reflect (insert all claimant names) as co-claimants for the above-named claims until a 

quitclaim deed, court order, abandonment, or other proper transfer documentation is received.

Any questions regarding this Notice should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the 

above letterhead or by telephoning (insert telephone number).

 Signature Block

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in 

the body of the correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
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ILLUSTRATION 61 – Delinquent Co-Owner Additional Requirement Notice

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3837 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

NOTICE

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Notice of Termination of Interest in Mining Claims

Additional Requirement

On (insert date), you submitted a Notice of Termination of Interest in Mining Claims (notice) together with 

documentation from the Office of the Sheriff showing (insert delinquent claimant’s name) was personally served 

such notice of termination of his/her interest in (insert claim name) Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial 

number (insert serial number).

We are unable to record the above-mentioned notice because the notice did not contain the signatures of all the coclaimants. Regulation 43 CFR 3837.23 requires that an originally signed and dated statement by all the compliant coclaimants that the delinquent co-claimant failed to contribute the proper proportion of assessment work, expenditures, 

or maintenance fees within the period fixed by the statute must be submitted to the BLM. 

The notice was personally served on (insert delinquent claimant’s name) on (insert date), and he/she is allowed 90 

days to respond to the notice. Therefore, you are allowed until the end of this same 90-day period to provide 

documentation from (insert claimant’s name who didn’t sign the original statement) stating that (insert delinquent 

claimant’s name) failed to contribute the proper proportion of assessment work, expenditures, or maintenance fees 

within the period fixed by the statute. Failure to do so will result in the notice not being processed and being 

returned. 

Any questions regarding this Notice should be directed to (insert adjudicator’s name) at the address in the above 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block
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ILLUSTRATION 62 – Noncompliance Decision

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3837 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

DECISION

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Notice of Termination of Interest in Mining Claims

Rejected for Recordation

On (insert date), we received a Notice of Termination of Interest in Mining Claims (termination) together with 

documentation from the Office of the Sheriff showing (insert delinquent claimant’s name) was personally served 

such notice of termination of her interest in (insert claim name) Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number 

(insert serial number).

On (insert date), this office issued a Notice (copy enclosed) to (insert claimant name) requesting that, in accordance 

with 43 CFR 3837.23(b), an originally-signed statement from (insert name of co-claimant(s) who did not previously 

submit the required statement) be submitted to this office stating that the delinquent co-claimant failed to contribute 

the proper proportion of assessment work, expenditures, or maintenance fees within the period fixed by the statute. 

The Notice provided until the end of the 90-day period in which (insert delinquent co-claimant's name) had to 

respond, for (insert name of co-claimant(s) who did not previously submit the required statement) to submit the 

required information. As of this date, the required statement with the signature of all the compliant co-claimants has 

not been received. Accordingly, since the required statement has not been received, the recordation of the Notice of 

Termination of Interest in Mining Claims is hereby rejected.

Since the Notice of Termination of Interest is not accepted for recordation, the records of this office will continue to 

show that the (insert claim name) mining claim is held by: (List all the names of the claimants.)

Insert Standard Appeals with Stay Information Paragraph

Any questions regarding this Decision should be directed to (insert adjudicator’s name) at the address in the above 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block

 

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
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ILLUSTRATION 63 – Forfeiture of Co-Owner’s Rights Decision

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3837 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

DECISION

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Failure of a Co-Owner to Contribute

Forfeiture of Co-Owner’s Rights

On (insert date), this office received a copy of a publication of a “Notice of Forfeiture” (Notice) (copy enclosed) 

from (insert name of claimant who filed the Notice). The Notice was filed to show (insert name of claimant who 

failed to contribute) has failed to contribute the proper proportion of the required expenditures for the maintenance of 

the (insert claim name) unpatented mining claim, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert serial 

number).

In compliance with Federal regulation 43 CFR 3837.21(b), (insert name of claimant who published the notice) has

properly published a notice advising (insert name of claimant who failed to contribute) or (his/her) heirs to come 

forth and pay (his/her) share of the expenses incurred for the maintenance of the (insert claim name) unpatented 

mining claim. The Notice was initially published on (insert date of first publication) and the publication period ended 

(insert date – publication period is once a week for 90 days). (Insert delinquent claimant name) must respond to 

(insert name of the claimant who published the notice) by (insert date) which is 90 days from the ending date of the 

publication of the Notice, by contributing (his/her) proportionate share of such expenditures.

In accordance with 43 CFR 3837.11(a)(4), if the delinquent co-owner fails to contribute his/her proportionate share of 

expenditures within the time allowed, the delinquent co-owner’s interest in the claim, by law, passes to the co-owner 

who has made the expenditures or improvements. The time period has passed for (insert delinquent claimant’s name) 

to have contributed his/her proportionate share of the expenditures. Accordingly, the records for the (insert claim 

name) have been updated to show that (insert delinquent claimant’s name) is no longer an owner of the claim. 

Any questions regarding this Decision should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the above 

letterhead or by calling (insert telephone number).

 Signature Block

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.

cc: (send copy to all co-claimants)
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ILLUSTRATION 64 – Delinquent Co-Owner Requirement Letter

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3830 (Office Code)

Claimant Name

Mailing Address

City, State, Zip Code

Dear (insert claimant name):

On (insert date), our office received a copy of a “Personal Notice” and signed U.S. Postal Service return-receipt card 

for a certified letter that you sent to (insert co-claimant who received the notice) concerning the (insert claim name) 

placer mining claim, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert serial number). Upon review of the 

notice, it appears there is a personal disagreement between you and (insert co-claimant’s name). The BLM is a 

recording office and does not get involved in private disputes between co-claimants.

If your intent is to acquire a delinquent co-claimant’s interest, there are procedures outlined in regulations at 43 

CFR 3837 Subpart A--Conditions for Acquiring a Delinquent Co-Claimant’s Interest in a Mining Claim or Site 

which need to be followed before we can remove a co-claimant’s name from our records. After you have 

completed all the required steps outlined in these regulations, you may then file the proper notification with our 

office, along with the required non-refundable processing fee of $10 per claim or site, and request that our office 

remove the co-claimant’s name from our records. 

A copy of the above regulations is enclosed for your information. If you have any questions, please contact 

(insert adjudicator’s name) at the address in the above letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Sincerely,

Signature Block

Enclosure

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
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ILLUSTRATION 65 – Processing Fee Notice

In Reply Refer To:

Serial Number

3837 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

NOTICE

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Processing Fee Required

Transfer of Interest Returned Unrecorded

On (insert date), this office received an Affidavit of Publication which was filed to show that in accordance with 

43 CFR 3837.23, you had acquired (insert delinquent co-claimant’s name) interest in the (insert claim name) 

mining claim, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert serial number). 

In accordance with 43 CFR 3837.23(c), a non-refundable processing fee for a transfer of interest is required 

when notifying the BLM that a claimant has acquired a delinquent co-claimant’s interest in a mining claim. 

When you submitted the Affidavit of Publication, you were notifying this office that you had acquired (insert 

delinquent co-claimant’s name) interest in the (insert claim name) mining claim. Accordingly, you were 

required to pay the non-refundable processing fee of $10 when you filed the transfer of interest; however, no 

processing fee was received. Accordingly, the Affidavit of Publication is hereby returned unrecorded since no 

processing fee was received. The Affidavit of Publication, along with the required processing fee, may be 

resubmitted for recordation.

Any questions regarding this Notice should be directed to (insert adjudicator’s name) at the address in the above 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block

Enclosure

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
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ILLUSTRATION 66 – Additional Requirement Notice

In Reply Refer To:

Serial Number Date 

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL—RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

NOTICE

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Additional Requirement

On (insert date), this office received a Certificate of Location (CoL), along with the recordation fees, for the (insert 

claim name) mining claim, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert serial number).

The CoL for the subject claim was not complete and is missing the item(s) checked () below that must be included: 

□ Quarter Section □ Section □ Township □ Range □ Meridian 

in which the claim(s)/site(s) is/are located was omitted from the CoL. Each CoL must 

include the description of the land in which the claim/site is located in and must identify 

the quarter section, section, township, range and meridian. 

□ Date of Location was omitted. 

□ Type of claim or site was omitted. The CoL must indicate if CoL is for a lode or placer claim or

mill or tunnel site. 

□ Map was not submitted or the map submitted is insufficient. A map outlining the mining 

claims/sites within a section (showing section boundaries) must also be submitted for 

claims/sites. More than one claim/site may be shown on a single map so 

long as each individual claim/site is clearly identified. 

□ Other: _____________________________________________________________________

In order to modify the description, date of location, or the type of location on the CoL, an amended CoL is required. 

In accordance with the regulations at 43 CFR 3000.12, you must submit a nonrefundable filing fee of $10 when filing 

the amended CoL with this office. In addition, the amended CoL must be recorded in the local county recording 

office prior to being filed with the BLM. Failure to do so will result in the rejection of the amended CoL and it will 

not be recorded. The amended CoL for the (insert claim name) must include serial number (insert serial number) and 

must also be clearly marked AMENDED. As a reminder, any time a claimant is going to record an amendment with 

the BLM, the amendment must first be recorded in the local office before being filed with the BLM. 

You are hereby allowed 30 days from your receipt of this Notice to file the amended CoL with our office. Failure to 

do so will result in the recordation of the (insert claim name) mining claim being rejected and the claim being 

declared forfeited. 
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Any questions regarding this Notice should be directed to (insert adjudicator’s name) at the address in the above 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block
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ILLUSTRATION 67 – Late Filed Rejection Decision

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

DECISION

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Mining Claim Recordation Rejected

Mining Claim Declared Abandoned and Void

On (insert date), this office received a Certificate of Location (CoL) for the (insert claim name) placer 

mining claim, which was issued Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert serial number). 

The location date on the CoL is (insert date of location).

In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 and regulations at 43 CFR 

3833.11(a), the CoL must be filed within 90 days after the date of location of the claim. A CoL can be 

received within 15 days after the 90-day expiration period in an envelope postmarked on or before the 90-

day deadline. Failure to file the claim within the required time period will be deemed conclusively to 

constitute an abandonment of the claim.

The (insert claim name) mining claim was located on (insert location date) and was received in this office 

for recording on (insert receipt date), which is (insert number of days) days after the date of location. The 

envelope was postmarked (insert postmark date). Since the CoL was not filed within 90 days after the 

date of location, the (insert claim name) mining claim is considered abandoned and is hereby declared 

void.

The (insert claim name) mining claim may be relocated and the new CoL refiled with the BLM within 

90 days after the date of the new location date as long as there are no intervening rights and the lands 

are open to mineral location. If the claim is refiled, the CoL must be accompanied by a map and all 

required fees at the time of filing for each mining claim or site. Currently, the nonrefundable 

processing fee is $(insert fee), the location fee is $(insert fee), and the maintenance fee is 

$(insert fee). The maintenance fee for placer claims is calculated based on the total acreage in 

the claim and is required for each 20 acres or portion thereof in the claim. The CoLs must 

also be filed with the appropriate county recorder.

Insert Standard Reclamation Paragraph

Insert Standard Appeals with Stay Info Paragraph

If at the end of the appeal period, no appeal to this Decision has been filed, a refund of the maintenance 

and location fee in the amount of $(insert amount) will be authorized. If an appeal is filed, the fees will be 
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kept and processed accordingly, based on the Decision by the IBLA.

Any questions regarding this Decision should be directed to (insert adjudicator’s name) at the address in 

the above letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body 

of the correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
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ILLUSTRATION 68 – Form 1842 -1 Appeal Information Form
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ILLUSTRATION 69 – Stay Form 4.20 and 4.21

§ 4.20 Purpose.

In the interest of establishing and maintaining uniformity to the extent feasible, this subpart sets forth general rules 

applicable to all types of proceedings before the Hearings Division and the several Appeal Boards of the Office of 

Hearings and Appeals.

§ 4.21 General provisions.

(a) Effect of decision pending appeal. Except as otherwise provided by law or other pertinent regulation:

 (1) A decision will not be effective during the time in which a person adversely affected may file a notice of appeal; 

when the public interest requires, however, the Director of an Appeals Board may provide that a decision, or any part of 

a decision, shall be in full force and effective immediately; 

 (2) A decision will become effective on the day after the expiration of the time during which person adversely 

affected may file a notice of appeal unless a petition for a stay pending appeal is filed together with a timely notice of 

appeal; a petition for a stay may be filed only by a party who may properly maintain an appeal;

 (3) A decision, or that portion of a decision, for which a stay is not granted will become effective immediately after 

the Director or an Appeals Board denies or partially denies the petition for a stay, or fails to act on the petition within the 

time specified in paragraph (b)(4) of this section.

(b) Standards and procedures for obtaining a stay. Except as otherwise provided by law or other pertinent regulation:

 (1) A petition for a stay of a decision pending appeal shall show sufficient justification based on the following 

standards:

 (i) The relative harm to the parties if the stay is granted or denied,

 (ii) The likelihood of the appellant’s success on the merits,

 (iii) The likelihood of immediate and irreparable harm if the stay is not granted, and 

 (iv) Whether the public interest favors granting the stay;

 (2) The appellant requesting the stay bears the burden of proof to demonstrate that a stay should be granted;

 (3) The appellant shall serve a copy of its notice of appeal and petition for a stay on each party named in the decision 

from which the appeal is taken, and on the Director or the Appeals Board to which the appeal is taken, at the same time 

such documents are served on the appropriate officer of the Department; any party, including the officer who made the 

decision being appealed, may file a response to the stay petition within 10 days after service; failure to file a response 

shall not result in a default on the question of whether a stay should be granted; service shall be made by delivering 

copies personally or by sending them by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested;

 (4) The Director or an Appeals Board shall grant or deny a petition for a stay pending appeal, either in whole or in 

part, on the basis of the factors listed in paragraph (b)(1) of this section within 45 calendar days of the expiration of the

time for filing a notice of appeal;

( c) Exhaustion of administrative remedies. No decision which at the time of its rendition is subject to appeal to the 

Director or an Appeals Board shall be considered final so as to be agency action subject to judicial review under 5 

U.S.C. 704, unless a petition for a stay of decision has been timely filed and the decision being appealed has been made 

effective in the manner provided in paragraphs (a)(3) or (b)(4) of this section or a decision has been made effective 

pending appeal pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of this section or pursuant to other pertinent regulation.

(d) Finality of decision. No further appeal will lie in the Department from a decision of the Director or an Appeals 

Board of the Office of Hearings and Appeals. Unless otherwise provided by regulation, reconsideration of a decision 

may be granted only in extraordinary circumstances where, in the judgment of the Director or an Appeals Board 

sufficient reason appears therefore. Requests for reconsideration must be filed promptly, or within the time required by 

the regulations relating to the particular type of proceeding concerned, and must state with particularity the error 

claimed. The filing and pendency of a request for reconsideration shall not operate to stay the effectiveness of the 

decision involved unless so ordered by the Director or an Appeals Board. A request for reconsideration need not be filed 

to exhaust administrative remedies.

(36 FR 7186, Apr. 15, 1971, as amended at 58 FR 4942, Jan. 19, 1993)
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ILLUSTRATION 70 – Null and Void In Part Decision

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED 

DECISION

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Mining Claim Declared Null and Void In, Part Ab Initio

On (insert date received), this office received a notice of location for the (insert claim name) placer mining claim. 

The location date for the (insert claim name) mining claim is (insert location date). This claim has been issued 

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert serial number) which should be referred to in any future 

correspondence with our office regarding this claim. The location notice and map for the (insert claim name) mining 

claim show the claim is located in the (insert legal description – example: N1⁄2, SE1⁄4 sec. 7, T. 1 N., R. 4 E., MD 

Mer., Plumas County, California).

Insert Reason Paragraph from Page 2 

Accordingly, since the above-described land was withdrawn from mining location on the date the (insert claim name) 

was located, the (insert claim name) is hereby declared null and void in part, ab initio as to the (insert legal 

description of the portion within the withdrawal).

Insert Standard Reclamation Paragraph

Insert Standard Appeals Paragraph

Any questions regarding this Decision should be addressed to (insert adjudicator name) at the above address in the 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
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ILLUSTRATION 70 – Null and Void In Part Decision (page 2)

Sample paragraphs for abandoned & void in part.

1. Recreation & Public Purposes Withdrawal or other withdrawal: The official land records of this office 

show the (insert land description) is withdrawn under the provisions of the Recreation and Public Purposes Act 

(R&PP Act) (16 U.S.C. § 473) (or insert other act that may withdraw the lands). The R&PP Act withdrew these 

lands from all forms of appropriation under the public land laws, including the mining laws. A copy of the 

Public Land Order that withdrew the land is enclosed with this Decision. 

2. Federal Aid Highway: The official land records of this office show a right-of-way as it existed in (insert year of 

location). The highway, serialized as (insert serial number) is XX feet wide on each side of the center line. The 

right-of-way was issued under the Federal Highway Act of August 27, 1958. All Federal Aid Highways are 

appropriated and transferred to the State of (insert State name). Therefore, the lands within the right-of-way 

were closed to the location and entry of mining claims on (insert date of grant), the date the right-of-way was 

granted and remain closed on (insert date of location of the claim), the date of attempted location of the (insert 

claim name).

3. Forest Service Roadside Zone: The President, in Executive Order No. 10355, authorized the Secretary of the 

Interior to make withdrawals using (1) the authority vested in the President by the Act of June 25, 1910, as 

amended on August 24, 1912 (the Pickett Act) and (2) using his authority as President of the United States to 

make withdrawals. While the Pickett Act did not authorize the Secretary of the Interior to withdraw 

metalliferous minerals, the authority of the office of the President does allow the President to delegate to the 

Secretary of the Interior the authority to withdraw metalliferous minerals.

Thus Public Land Order 3342 (PLO 3342), using the authority vested in the President, withdrew certain lands 

from the mining laws of the United States for use by the United States Forest Service. Included in the 

withdrawal was one for the protection of existing forest roads and highways and adjacent roadside zones. One 

roadside zone was for all land lying within 200 feet of the centerline of U.S. Highway 50 and California Forest 

Highway No. 32 in the NE1⁄4SE1⁄4 of section 26, among other lands. These lands were withdrawn from the 

mining laws on the date the PLO was published in the Federal Register, March 6, 1964. Therefore, that portion 

of the NE1⁄4SE1⁄4 of section 26 lying within the roadside zone was closed to the location and entry of mining 

claims on March 6, 1964, and remained closed on September 1, 2008, the date of attempted location. (Note: All 

the information for the California PLO has not been deleted because it seemed like it would be more helpful 

to the adjudicator.)

INCLUDED IN DECISIONS FOR FEDERAL AID HIGHWAYS AND ROADSIZE ZONES

Amended Location Notice Required

(The above will be added to the title of the Decision under Null and Void in Part)

In addition, it appears that the right-of-way divides the (insert claim name) placer mining claim into two 

noncontiguous parcels. 30 U.S.C. § Subsection 36 states, "This section authorizes an association location of 

contiguous claims only, and clearly implies that claims not contiguous may not be joined in a single location." Placer 

mining claims must be described in 10-acre tracts, but two or more tracts must be contiguous (43 CFR 3832.12(c)).

This situation can be corrected by filing an amended location notice to exclude the noncontiguous parcel. There is a 

$10.00 nonrefundable processing fee for each claim for filing amended location notices with the BLM. The 

noncontiguous parcel may be filed as a separate claim, subject to valid intervening rights of third parties or the United 

States; and if the subject land is public land that is open to mineral location. A new certificate of location may be 
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filed for the new claim within 90 days from the date of relocation accompanied by a map and all required fees. 

Currently, the nonrefundable processing fee is $(insert fee), the location fee is $(insert fee), and the maintenance fee 

is $(insert fee). The maintenance fee for placer claims is calculated based on the total acreage in the claim and is 

required for each 20 acres or portion thereof in the claim. The notices of location must also be filed with the

appropriate county recorder.

Unless an appeal is filed in response to the null and void ab initio portion of this Decision, an amended location 

notice or a relinquishment/abandonment of one of the portions of the claims must be filed with this office within 30 

days from receipt of this Decision. Failing to do so will result in the rejection of the recordation of the (insert claim 

name) mining claim. 
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ILLUSTRATION 71 – Notice to Lode Claimant – Portion of Claim May be 

Null & Void 

(Note: This Illustration differs from Illustration 13 in that it involves only a 

lode claim and it’s more of a notification to the claimant that the patented land 

is not available for mineral location.)

In Reply Refer To:

Serial Number

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED 

NOTICE

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Patented Land Not Available for Mineral Location

On (insert date) our office received a notice of location and map for the (insert claim name) lode mining claim, which 

was assigned Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert serial number). The location notice and map 

for the (insert claim name) show the claim to be located in (insert legal description - Example: A portion of the SE1⁄4 

sec. 7, T. 10 N., R. 3 E., Principal Meridian, Montana). 

In a review of the official land records of this office, it was discovered that the (insert legal description – Example: 

SE1⁄4 sec. 7, T. 10 N., R. 3 E., Principal Meridian) was patented with no mineral reservation, out of Federal ownership 

on (insert date), and is therefore not available for mineral location. Under certain conditions, the end and side lines 

of a lode may be extended onto land not open to mineral entry in order to obtain extralateral rights on the land still 

open to mineral entry. The extension of lines onto the land not open to entry does not give the lode claimant any 

surface or mineral rights in such land, but only serves to protect the apex rights on the land open to entry. The 

extended portion of the lode claim is, therefore, not considered null and void, but to avoid any potential trespass, you 

should check the location of your claim in relation to the patented area. 

Insert Standard Reclamation Paragraph

Any questions regarding this Notice should be addressed to (insert adjudicator name) at the above address in the 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block
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ILLUSTRATION 72 –Forfeiture Decision – No Fee Received

(Note: This Illustration differs from Illustration 14 to show no maintenance 

fee was received. Illustration 14 is regarding an untimely payment.)

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL-- RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

DECISION

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Mining Claim Forfeited by Operation of Law

Under 30 U.S.C. § 28f(a), the holder of an unpatented mining claim, mill site, or tunnel site must pay a maintenance 

fee for each claim or site on or before September 1 each year to hold the claim or site for the upcoming assessment 

year. See also 43 CFR § 3834.11(a)(2). Failure to comply with the maintenance fee requirement will be deemed 

conclusively to constitute a forfeiture of the claim or site and the claim or site shall be deemed null and void by 

operation of law (30 U.S.C. § 28i).

Our records show that we did not receive the maintenance fee payment on or before September 1, (insert year) for the 

(insert claim name) (insert type of claim or site) mining claim, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number 

(insert serial number). Accordingly, since we did not receive the maintenance fee payment for the (insert assessment 

year) assessment year on or before September 1, (insert year), the (insert claim or site name) mining claim is hereby 

declared forfeited and the claim is deemed null and void by operation of law as of September 1, (insert year).

 

Insert Standard Reclamation Paragraph

Insert Standard Appeals Paragraph

Any questions regarding this Decision should be addressed to (insert adjudicator name) at the above address in the 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
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ILLUSTRATION 73 – Abandoned and Void Decision – No Assessment Work 

Filed

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL-- RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

DECISION

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Mining Claim Declared Abandoned and Void

In accordance with section 314(a) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA), 43 U.S.C § 

1744(a), the owner of an unpatented mining claim or site located after October 21, 1976, is required to file with the 

Bureau of Land Management (BLM) an affidavit of assessment work on or before December 30 of each year 

following the calendar year in which the claim is located. Failure to do so constitutes conclusive abandonment of the 

claim and renders it void.

Under 30 U.S.C. § 28f(a), the holder of an unpatented mining claim, mill site, or tunnel site must pay a maintenance 

fee for each claim or site on or before September 1 each year to hold the claim or site for the upcoming assessment 

year. See also 43 C.F.R. § 3834.11(a)(2). Congress, however, provided the Secretary of the Interior the discretion to 

waive the fee for a claimant who certified in writing that on the date the payment was due, the claimant and all related 

parties owned 10 or fewer mining claims or sites on public lands and had performed assessment work required under 

the Mining Law of 1872.

On (insert date), (insert claimant name) filed a Maintenance Fee Waiver Certification for the (insert mining claim 

name) unpatented mining claim , BLM serial number (insert serial number) with this office. Accordingly, (insert 

claimant name) was required to file an affidavit of assessment work with this office on or before December 30, 

(insert year) for the (insert mining claim name) mining claim (43 CFR § 3835.31). According to our records, no 

affidavit of assessment work has been received. Accordingly, since the affidavit of assessment work was not filed 

with this office as prescribed by law, the (insert mining claim name) unpatented mining claim is hereby declared 

abandoned and void by operation of law. 

Insert Standard Reclamation Paragraph

Insert Standard Appeals Paragraph
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Any questions regarding this Decision should be addressed to (insert adjudicator name) at the above address in the 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
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ILLUSTRATION 74 – Notice of Intent to Hold Notice Required

In Reply Refer To:

Serial Number Date

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL—RETURN RECEIPT REQUSTED 

NOTICE

Claimant Name : 

Mailing Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State Zip Code :

Additional Requirement

On (insert date), this office received a notice of location, along with a payment in the amount of (insert amount) for 

the (insert claim name) mining claim, which was located on (insert date). The (insert claim name) mining claim was 

assigned Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert serial number). This number should be used in 

any future correspondence with our office regarding the (insert claim name) mining claim.

In accordance with regulations at 43 CFR 3835.31(c) and 3835.33, assessment work is not required to be performed 

during the same assessment year in which a claim is located; however, the claimant is required to file a notice of 

intent to hold (NOI) by December 30 of the calendar year in which the assessment year ends. Based on this, you 

were required to file an NOI by December 30, (insert year), for the (insert year) assessment year. According to our 

records, the required NOI has not been received.

Failure to file the NOI is a curable defect, and you are hereby notified that you must submit the NOI for the (insert 

year) assessment year along with the required $10 per claim processing fee. Your NOI should contain the statement 

that you are filing the NOI because you located the claim during the (insert year) assessment and were not yet 

required to perform assessment work. A copy of 43 CFR 3835.33 which lists the requirements when filing your NOI, 

is enclosed for your information. Note to adjudicator: Option to enclose a sample copy of an NOI.

You are hereby allowed 30 days from your receipt of this Notice in which to submit the NOI to this office. Failure to 

do so will result in the forfeiture of the (insert claim name) mining claim under separate Decision.

Any questions regarding this Notice should be addressed to (insert adjudicator name) at the above address in the 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block

Enclosures

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
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ILLUSTRATION 75 – Decision Vacated in Part

In Reply Refer To:

Serial Number Date

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL—RETURN RECEIPT REQUSTED 

DECISION

Claimant Name : 

Mailing Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State Zip Code :

Decision Vacated in Part

This office issued a Decision dated (insert date), (copy enclosed) which declared the (insert claim names) mining 

claims, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial numbers (insert serial numbers), respectively, abandoned and 

void for the failure of (insert claimant name) to submit the required affidavit of assessment work on or before 

December 30, 20__.

In response to the above-named Decision, (insert claimant name) submitted evidence showing the required 

document had actually been received in this office [or postmarked by the due date] for the (insert claim name and 

serial number) on (insert date). Accordingly, since the affidavit of assessment work was filed on or before 

December 30 for the (insert claim name) mining claim, the Decision dated (insert date) is hereby vacated in part 

as it pertains to (insert claim name) mining claim only, and the Decision remains in full force and effect as to the 

remaining claims.

Any questions regarding this Decision should be should be addressed to (insert adjudicator name) at the above 

address in the letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block

Enclosure

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
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ILLUSTRATION 76 – Decision Vacated

In Reply Refer To:

Serial Number Date

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL—RETURN RECEIPT REQUSTED 

DECISION

Claimant Name : 

Mailing Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State Zip Code :

Decision Vacated

This office issued a Decision dated (insert date), (copy enclosed) which declared the (insert claim name) mining 

claim, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) serial number (insert serial number), abandoned and void for the 

failure of (insert claimant name) to submit the required affidavit of assessment work on or before December 30, 

(insert year).

In response to the above-named Decision, (insert claimant name) submitted evidence showing the required 

document had actually been received in this office on (insert date). Accordingly, since the affidavit of assessment 

work was timely received, the Decision dated (insert date) is hereby vacated. The records of this office have been 

updated to reflect the (insert claim name) mining claim is in compliance with the requirements under 43 CFR 

3830 for the (insert assessment year) assessment year.

Any questions regarding this Decision should be should be addressed to (insert adjudicator name) at the above 

address in the letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

Signature Block

Enclosure

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
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BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 77 – Appeal Acknowledgement Letter

In Reply Refer To:

Serial Number Date

3830 (Office Code)

Claimant Name

Address

City, State, Zip Code

APPEAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Appeal filed by (insert claimant name) in connection with the (insert 

claim name) mining claim, and the Decision dated (insert Decision date).

The case file, including the Notice of Appeal, will be forwarded to the Interior Board of Land Appeals, Office of 

Hearings and Appeals, for appropriate consideration. That office will advise you directly of the action taken in 

the case.

The Appeals Procedures, 43 CFR, Section 4.400, are outlined in the enclosed information sheet.

 

 

Signature Block

Enclosure

NOTE: In accordance with the BLM Correspondence Manual, enclosures are to be listed in the body of the 

correspondence and are no longer listed at the bottom.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

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BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 78a – Appeal Transmittal Memorandum (without the form)

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL--RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

APPEAL TRANSMITTAL

Memorandum

To: Board of Land Appeals, Office of Hearings and Appeals

From: Chief, Branch of Solid Minerals

Subject: Transmitting Appeal of (Insert Claimant Name)

Kind of Application: Mining Claim Recordation

Attached is a Notice of Appeal filed by (insert claimant name) on behalf of (insert appropriate other names if 

applicable) of the Decision dated (insert date) entitled (insert title of Decision) for (insert claim name and serial 

number).

(X) There are no conflicting cases of record.

( ) The conflicting cases shown on the status sheet have been properly noted as to the appeal.

( ) The records of the conflicting or referenced cases identified below are transmitted herewith for use in 

connection with the appeal:

 

 

 Signature Block

1-Attachment

 1-Case file (insert serial number)

cc: (Insert Appropriate Field Solicitor’s Office and address) w/copy of Forfeiture Decision and Notice of Appeal
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

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BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 78b – Appeal Transmittal Memorandum Blank Form
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MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VII-112

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 78c – Appeal Transmittal Memorandum – Completed 
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BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 79 – Standard Relocation Notification Paragraph

It is optional to use the following relocation notification paragraph when issuing a Decision 

notifying a claimant(s) their claim has been forfeited:

Forfeited or abandoned claims and sites that have been declared void by operation of law may be 

relocated subject to valid intervening rights of third parties or the United States. It is the 

claimant’s responsibility to assure that the land is open to mineral entry at the time of location. 

New location notices, charges, and fees must be filed in the proper BLM office within 90 days 

from the date of location. When recording new location notices with the BLM, a map and all 

required fees are required at the time of filing for each mining claim or site. Currently, the 

nonrefundable processing fee is $(insert fee), the location fee is $(insert fee), and the maintenance 

fee is $(insert fee). The maintenance fee for placer claims is calculated based on the total acreage 

in the claim and is required for each 20 acres or portion thereof in the claim. The notices of 

location must also be filed with the appropriate county recorder.
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BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 80 – Requirements for Transferring Association Placer 

Mining Claims

REQUIREMENTS FOR TRANSFERRING ASSOCIATION PLACER MINING CLAIMS 

Under the Mining Law of 1872, 30 U.S.C. 36, an “association of persons” may locate placer 

mining claims in excess of 20 acres in size. The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) 

regulations at 43 CFR 3833.33(a) allow mining claimants to transfer or convey an association 

placer claim to a smaller number of owners than originally located the claim, including a single 

owner, under certain conditions.

What are the restrictions when transferring or conveying an association placer mining 

claim to a smaller number of owners than originally located the claim?

Under the BLM’s regulations at 43 CFR 3833.33(a), it is permissible to transfer or convey an 

association placer claim over 20 acres in size to a smaller number of owners than originally locate 

the claim only if a “discovery of a valuable mineral deposit” was made within the limits of the 

claim prior to the date of transfer.

What does “discovery of a valuable mineral deposit” mean?

For purposes of the Mining Law, “discovery of a valuable mineral deposit” means that minerals 

have been found within the boundaries of the mining claim and that the evidence is of such a 

character that a person of ordinary prudence would be justified in the further expenditure of his 

labor and means, with a reasonable prospect of success, in developing a valuable mine.

In addition, for a discovery to exist the deposit must be marketable; that is, of such value that it 

can be mined, removed and disposed of at a profit.

A discovery has not been made until sufficient work has been done to show that the material can 

be produced and sold at a profit under conditions present at the time of transfer. The mineral 

deposit possessing in and of itself a present or prospective value for mining purposes must be 

actually and physically exposed in sufficient quantities to justify development of the mining claim 

through actual mining operations. If the deposit requires additional exploration to delineate the 

ore reserves and determine grade or quality before development may be confidently started, a 

discovery has not been made.

Sampling must have occurred on the subject claim. You will need several quantitative samples to 

adequately show a discovery of an association placer mining claim. Sampling should be done at 

as many places on the claim as may be necessary to establish the continuity and extent of the 

deposit. Until sampling has been completed, it is rarely possible to develop anything more than 

an informed guess as to the nature of any deposit. There must be something beyond a mere 

surmise, speculation, belief, or geological theory or impression of the existence of minerals on a 
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

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BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

mining claim to constitute a discovery of a valuable mineral deposit that would satisfy the 

regulations for transferring or conveying an association placer mining claim. Mere indications of 

existence of minerals within the boundaries of the claim or on adjoining lands are not sufficient to 

support a discovery of a valuable mineral deposit.

What information should I provide to the BLM to support that my association placer 

mining claim(s) had a discovery of a valuable mineral deposit at the time of transfer or 

conveyance?

Although the BLM’s analysis is made on a case-by-case basis, the following information will 

generally be helpful to the BLM to support that a discovery of a valuable mineral deposit existed 

on the association placer mining claim(s) prior to the date of transfer:

1. A map showing the claim location and claim boundary.

2. Sampling information.

a. Map showing sampling locations;

b. Sample volume and interval;

c. Material sampled;

d. Raw gold recovered and raw gold weight (grams/bank cubic yards); and

e. Raw gold value ($/bank cubic yard)

i. Using the price of gold per Troy ounce at the time the discovery was made; 

and

ii. Gold value must be adjusted for fineness as placer gold is never 100% 

pure.

3. Reserve Estimate.

a. Map showing deposit boundaries;

b. Method used to calculate reserve estimate; and

c. Cut-off grade.

4. Development Costs ($/bank cubic yard).

a. Road construction;

b. Exploration;

c. Mobilization;

d. Ponds;

e. Stripping;

f. Plant construction;

g. Buildings;

h. Pipe/couplings; and/or

i. Demobilization.

5. Cost of Equipment – list all equipment and the cost less salvage value.

6. Cost of Operation ($/bank cubic yard) – equipment operation, labor and supplies.

7. Reclamation costs.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

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BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 81 – Acknowledgement of Discovery Documentation 

Submitted in Response to a Notice to Reduce Acreage

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL—RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

NOTICE

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Acknowledgement of Documentation Submitted

A Notice dated (insert date of Notice) required that the above-listed mining claims be amended to reduce 

the acreage of the claims because the claims are association placer mining claims and have been 

transferred to a smaller number of claimants than originally located the claims.

The Notice stated that in accordance with 43 CFR 3833.33, you may transfer, sell, or otherwise convey an 

association placer mining claim at any time to an equal or greater number of mining claimants. If you 

want to transfer an association placer claim to an individual or an association that is smaller in number 

than the association that located the claim, you – (a) must have discovered a valuable mineral deposit 

before the transfer; or (b) upon notice from BLM, you must reduce the acreage of the claim so that you 

meet the 20-acre per locator limit. 

In response, rather than amend the claims to reduce the acreage you submitted documentation you believe 

shows such a discovery. This Notice acknowledges that we received the documentation you submitted and 

that our office has made the determination that you will not be required to reduce the claim acreage at this 

time. Our decision is based solely on the documentation you submitted and even though you will not be 

required to reduce the claim acreage at this time, no factual determination has been made by this office that 

a valid discovery has been made. That determination cannot be made without a complete mineral validity 

examination, and our office will not be pursuing that type of examination at this time. 

Any questions regarding this Notice should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

 Signature Block
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

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BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

ILLUSTRATION 82 – 30-Day Notice to Cure an Insufficient Payment

In Reply Refer To: Date

Serial Number

3830 (Office Code)

CERTIFIED MAIL—RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

NOTICE

Claimant Name :

Address : Mining Claim Recordation

City, State, Zip Code :

Additional Fees Required

This office timely received a maintenance fee payment on (insert date) for the (insert year) assessment year 

for the (insert claim or site name or enclose a listing as an Exhibit) lode (or placer, mill site or tunnel site) 

mining claim. 

Regulation 43 CFR 3830.21 regarding required fees was amended by a notice published in the Federal 

Register (insert FR citation – for example 79 FR 36662, June 30, 2014), which increased the fees beginning 

with the (insert year) assessment year, which began on September 1, (insert year). The maintenance fees 

were increased to $(insert amount) for lode claims, mill sites and tunnel sites, and $(insert amount) for each 

20 acres or portion thereof for placer claims. 

Accordingly, your maintenance fee payment in the amount of $(insert amount) to cover the (insert year) 

assessment year for the (insert claim or site name) is insufficient due to the increase in fees. The balance of 

$(insert amount) must be paid to cover the full maintenance fee payment for the (insert year) assessment year. 

In accordance with 43 CFR 3834.23(d), you are hereby allowed thirty (30) days from receipt of this Notice to 

remit the additional fees to this office. If the required fee(s) are not received within 30 days from receipt of 

this notice, a decision will be issued declaring the claim(s)/site(s) forfeit and void by operation of law.

Any questions regarding this Notice should be directed to (insert name of adjudicator) at the address in the 

letterhead or by telephone at (insert telephone number).

 Signature Block
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VIII-1

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

Chapter VIII – Reference Material

A. LR2000 Data Element Dictionary

The input code requirements are: (M) Mandatory action for all case files; (R) Required if the 

action occurred on the mining claim; and (O) Optional to input if the action occurred on the 

mining claim. Codes without the M, R, or O beside them are Non-Input Codes and are not to be 

used in Mining Claim Recordation. These codes will eventually be deleted from this Data 

Element Dictionary.

Domain Name

Domain 

Code & 

Input 

Rqmt

Line 

No. Description

MINERAL REPORT APPROVED 013 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

TRESPASS SETTLED 018 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

APPLICANT DECEASED 039 (O) 01 ENTER DATE OF APPLICANT/INTEREST

02 HOLDER’S DEATH AS VERIFIED ON ACTION

03 CODE SCREEN

SENT TO WASHINGTON 060 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

50 USE CODE 960, CASE SENT TO

ADDL INFO REQUIRED 104 (O) 01 ENTER DATE ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE IS 

02 REQUESTED.

20 OPTIONAL TO ENTER TYPE OF INFORMATION

21 REQUESTED IN ACTION REMARKS

ADDITIONAL INFO RECEIVED 113 (O) 01 ENTER DATE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS

02 RECEIVED.

20 OPTIONAL TO ENTER TYPE OF INFORMATION

21 RECEIVED IN ACTION REMARKS.

APPEAL WITHDRAWN 118 (R) 01 ENTER THE DATE AN APPEAL IS WITHDRAWN.

APPEAL DISMISSED 119 (R) 01 ENTER DATE APPEAL IS DISMISSED

20 ENTER DECISION CITATION IN ACTION

21 REMARKS.

APPEAL FILED 120 (R) 01 ENTER DATE NOTICE OF APPEAL IS FILED.

20 PUT IBLA DOCKET NUMBER IN ACTION

21 REMARKS WHEN RECEIVED.

APPLICATION REJ/DEN 125 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

SUSPENDED 127 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

STAY REQUESTED 136 (R) 01 ENTER DATE REQUEST FOR A STAY IS FILED.

02 IN CONJUNCTION WITH AN APPEAL TO THE

03 INTERIOR BOARD OF LAND APPEALS.

STAY GRANTED 137 (R) 01 ENTER DATE OF ORDER ISSUED BY INTERIOR

02 BOARD OF LAND APPEALS GRANTING THE

03 REQUEST FOR A STAY, i.e., THE EFFECT OF 

04 THE DECISION APPEALED FROM IS SUSPENDED

05 PENDING THE OUTCOME OF THE APPEAL IN

06 IBLA.

STAY DENIED 138 (R) 01 ENTER DATE OF ORDER ISSUED BY INTERIOR
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Domain Name

Domain 

Code & 

Input 

Rqmt

Line 

No. Description

02 BOARD OF LAND APPEALS (IBLA) DENYING A 

03 STAY, i.e., THE DECISION ON APPEAL IS 

04 IN EFFECT DURING THE PENDENCY OF THE

05 APPEAL IN IBLA.

CASE CLOSED 146 (R) 01 ENTER DATE CASE IS CLOSED.

02 EXAMPLE OF USE: TO CLOSE A CASE WHEN

03 ONE CLAIM HAS BEEN ASSIGNED TWO SERIAL

04 NUMBERS.

40 ALTERS CASE DISPOSITION TO CLOSED.

50 DO NOT USE IF CODE 239, 271,

51 311, OR 631 HAS BEEN USED.

LITIGATION FILED 148 (R) 01 ENTER DATE LITIGATION ACTION FILED.

02 INCLUDES ALL CASE TYPES UNDER JUDICIAL 

03 REVIEW.

20 ENTER CIVIL ACTION NUMBER IN ACTION

21 REMARKS.

CASE RECEIVED 149 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE

CONTEST SENT HRNG&APPLS 161 (R) 01 ENTER DATE COMPLAINT AND ANSWER SENT

02 TO ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE FOR HEARING.

CASE SENT TO NARA 163 (R) 01 ENTER DATE CASE SENT TO NATIONAL

02 ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION.

20 NOTE FEDERAL RECORDS CENTER (SEE DE2926

21 FOR APPROPRIATE CODE) AND ACCESSION NO.

22 BEGINNING IN 1ST POSITION OF ACTION

23 REMARKS. ENTER FORMAT IS: A SLASH (/) IS

24 REQUIRED BETWEEN FRC AND ACCESSION NO.;

25 ACCESSION NUMBER MUST HAVE DASHES (-)

26 BETWEEN COMPONENTS. END ENTRY WITH A 

27 SEMICOLON. EXAMPLE: DEN/049-88-0025;

FRC RETRIEVAL NUMBERS 164 (R) 01 ENTER DATE SENT TO NATIONAL 

02 ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION.

20 NOTE AGENCY BOX NUMBER AND FRC LOCATION

21 NUMBER BEGINNING IN 1ST POSITION OF

22 ACTION REMARKS. ENTER FROMAT: A SLASH

23 (/) IS REQUIRED BETWEEN AGENCY BOX NO.

24 AND FRC LOCATION NO., A DASH (-) IS 

25 REQUIRED BETWEEN AGENCY BOX NOS., FOR 

26 EXAMPLE 209 OF 300 BOXES. END ENTRY

27 WITH A SEMICOLON.

28 EXAMPLE: 209-300/SB9387435;

CASE SENT TO IBLA 165 (R) 01 ENTER DATE CASE SENT TO IBLA.

20 ENTER IBLA DOCKET NUMBER IN ACTION

21 REMARKS; IBLA 94-000.

CASE SENT TO DIRECTOR 167 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE

20 USE CODE 960, CASE SENT TO.

ADDRESS CHANGE FILED 170 (R) 01 ENTER DATE ADDRESS CHANGE IS RECEIVED.

CHANGE OF NAME RECEIVED 171 (R) 01 ENTER DATE CHANGE OF NAME RECOGNIZED.

02 USUALLY REFERS TO A CORPORATE NAME
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

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BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

Domain Name

Domain 

Code & 

Input 

Rqmt

Line 

No. Description

03 CHANGE; INCLUDES DISSOLUTION OF

04 CORPORATION OR PARTNERSHIP.

20 ENTER PRIOR NAME IN ACTION REMARKS.

21 REMARKS TO FACILITATE RECORD TITLE

22 SEARCH.

CONTEST/COMPLAINT ANSWER 178 (R) 01 ENTER DATE CONTEST/COMPLAINT ANSWERED BY

02 CONTESTEE.

CONTEST/COMPLAINT DISMIS 179 (R) 01 ENTER DATE CONTEST/COMPLAINT DISMISSED

02 BY APPROPRIATE AUTHORITY.

20 CITE LEGAL REFERENCE IN ACTION REMARKS.

CONTEST FILED 180 (R) 01 ENTER DATE GOVERNMENT OR PRIVATE CONTEST

02 IS INITIATED.

20 ENTER BY WHOM IN ACTION REMARKS.

21 PLACE CONTEST SERIAL NUMBER IN ACTION

22 REMARKS. FOR MINERAL PATENT APPLICATIONS

23 THE SERIAL NUMBER WILL BE THE MINERAL

24 PATENT APPLICATION SERIAL NUMBER. FOR

25 OTHER CONTESTS, IT WILL BE THE SERIAL

26 NUMBER ASSIGNED VIA CASE TYPE 3872.

HEARING ENDED – PL 359 181 (R) 01 ENTER DATE HEARING IN CONFORMANCE WITH

02 PL 359 & 43 CFR 3730 IS HELD.

20 ENTER RESULTS OF HEARING IN ACTION

21 REMARKS (MINING ALLOWED, MINING ALLOWED

22 SUBJECT TO BOND, MINING DENIED).

DECISION FINAL – NO APPEAL 187 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE

DECISION VACATED 188 (R) 01 ENTER DATE OF DECISION WHICH VACATES

02 OR RESCINDS A PRIOR DECISION

20 CITE THE DECISION BEING VACATED OR

21 RESCINDED BY LEGAL REFERENCE, OR THE 

22 DATE IF A BLM DECISION IN ACTION

23 REMARKS.

40 ALTERS CASE DISPOSITION TO RECORDED.

FERC/FPC OPEN TO MINING 211 (R) 01 ENTER DATE DETERMINATION IS MADE THAT

02 FEDERAL ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

03 OR FEDERAL POWER COMMISSION HAS NO

04 OBJECTION AND LAND IS OPEN TO MINING

05 UNDER PL 359.

06 THIS ONLY APPLIES TO MINING CLAIMS 

07 IN POWERSITE WITHDRAWALS.

FINAL CERTIFICATE ISSUED 212 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

50 USE ACTION CODE 630.

FERC/FPC REPORT RECEIVED 216 (R) 01 ENTER DATE REPORT IS RECEIVED. APPLIES

02 ONLY TO MINING CLAIMS/SITES LOCATED IN

03 POWERSITE WITHDRAWALS UNDER PL 359.

FERC/FPC REPORT RQSTD 217 (R) 01 ENTER DATE REPORT REQUESTED. APPLIES

02 ONLY TO MINING CLAIMS/SITES LOCATED IN

03 POWERSITE WITHDRAWALS UNDER PL 359.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

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BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

Domain Name

Domain 

Code & 

Input 

Rqmt

Line 

No. Description

HEARING HELD 222 (R) 01 ENTER DATE HEARING IN CONJUNCTION

02 WITH 43 CFR PART 4 IS HELD.

20 OPTIONAL TO ENTER PLACE OF HEARING IN

21 ACTION REMARKS.

HEARING ORDERED 223 (R) 01 ENTER DATE HEARING IS SCHEDULED UNDER

02 43 CFR PART 4 BEFORE HEARINGS OFFICER OR

03 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE.

20 IF BLM NOTE IN ACTION REMARKS.

HEARING NOT REQUIRED 224 (R) 01 ENTER DATE DETERMINATION IS MADE

02 THAT NO HEARING IS REQUIRED PURSUANT 

03 TO PL 359 AND 43 CFR 3730.

DECLARED NULL & VOID 239 (R) 01 ENTER DATE OF DECISION DECLARING MINING

02 CLAIM NULL AND VOID.

20 ENTER REASON IN ACTION REMARKS (LAND

21 STATUS OR DISCOVERY)

40 ALTERS CASE DISPOSITION TO CLOSED.

DECLARED N/V IN PART 240 (R) 01 ENTER DATE OF DECISION DECLARING

02 MINING CLAIM NULL AND VOID IN PART.

20 ENTER REASON IN ACTION REMARKS (LAND

21 STATUS OR DISCOVERY)

RECORDATION REJECTED 245 (R) 01

02

03

04

05

06

07

08

20

21

22

40

ENTER THE DATE OF THE DECISION DECLARING

A NEW CLAIM OR SITE FORFEITED OR ABANDONED

DUE TO (1) THE NEW CLAIM OR SITE NOT BEING

TIMELY RECEIVED FOR RECORDING AT THE BLM;

(2)THE CLAIMANT FAILING TO CURE A DEFECT

IN THE NEW LOCATION WITHIN THE TIME ALLOWED

BY THE BLM; OR (3) THE NEW LOCATION NOT BEING 

RECEIVED WITH THE PROPER FEES.

ENTER REASON IN ACTION REMARKS. EXAMPLE:

OVER 90 DAYS; FAILURE TO CURE; OR

INSUFFICIENT FEES.

ALTERS CASE DISPOSITION TO CLOSED.

FUTURE ACTION SUSPENSE 247 (O) 01 ENTER DATE FILE NEEDS TO BE 

02 REVIEWED FOR FURTHER ACTION.

20 OPTIONAL TO ENTER REASON IN

21 ACTION REMARKS. REMOVE CODE

22 ONCE ACTION IS COMPLETED.

SUBJECT TO PL 359 265 (R) 01 ENTER DATE OF DETERMINATION THAT THE

02 MINING CLAIM IS SUBJECT TO THE 

03 PROVISIONS OF PUBLIC LAW 83-359, MINING

04 IN POWERSITE WITHDRAWALS. (43 CFR 3730).

SUBJECT TO O&C 266 (R) 01 ENTER DATE OF DETERMINATION THAT THE 

02 MINING CLAIM IS SUBJECT TO THE 

03 PROVISIONS OF PUBLIC LAW 80-477. THE ACT

04 THAT OPENED THE OREGON AND CALIFORNIA

05 RAILROAD REVESTED LANDS AND THE COOS

06 BAY WAGONROAD RECONVEYED LANDS TO THE

07 OPERATION OF THE 1872 MINING LAW.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VIII-5

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

Domain Name

Domain 

Code & 

Input 

Rqmt

Line 

No. Description

08 (43 CFR 3821)

SUBJECT TO SRHA 267 (R) 01 ENTER DATE NOTICE OF INTENT TO LOCATE

02 ON STOCK RAISING HOMESTEAD ACT LANDS 

03 WAS RECEIVED. USE FOR CLAIMS SUBJECT TO 

04 THE ACT OF APRIL 16, 1993. CROSS REFERENCE

05 CLAIM SERIAL NUMBER TO NOITL CASE TYPE

06 3814.

CLAIM PATENTED 271 (R) 01 ENTER DATE MINERAL PATENT IS SIGNED.

20 ENTER MINERAL PATENT CASE FILE NUMBER IN

21 ACTION REMARKS.

40 ALTERS CASE DISPOSITION TO CLOSED.

60 FORMAT FOR ENTRY OF APPLICATION NUMBER

61 IS GEO STATE, ADMIN STATE, & NUMBER; NO

62 SPACES, i.e., SDMT11786 OR WAOR22876.

PATENT CANCELLED 272 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

PATENT CANC IN PART 273 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

SUPP PATENT ISSUED 274 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

PROOF OF PUB RECEIVED 291 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

PROTEST DISMISSED 298 (R) 01 ENTER DATE PROTEST IS DISMISSED.

PROTEST FILED 299 (R) 01 ENTER DATE PROTEST FILED.

02 A PROTEST IS AN OBJECTION TO ANY

03 PROPOSED ACTION BY THE BUREAU THAT

04 DOES NOT MEET THE CRITERIA OF A 

05 CONTEST.

PUB IN NEWSPAP DIRECTED 300 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

PURCHASE PRICE RECEIVED 302 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

RELQ ACCEPTED 310 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

RELQ FILED (IN TOTAL) 311 (R) 01 ENTER DATE RELINQUISHMENT FILED.

02 USE ONLY WHEN ALL OWNERS HAVE GIVEN

03 UP ALL LAND INTEREST IN THE CLAIM.

40 ALTERS CASE DISPOSITION TO CLOSED.

RELQ FILED (PARTIAL) 312 (R) 01 ENTER DATE RELINQUISHMENT FILED 

02 FOR ONLY PART OF THE LANDS IN THE 

03 CLAIM.

INDIV CLAIMANT RELQ 313 (R) 01 ENTER THE DATE AN INDIVIDUAL CLAIMANT

02 RELINQUISHES INTEREST IN MINING CLAIM.

03 THIS DOES NOT AFFECT OTHER CLAIMANTS OF 

04 THE CLAIM.

NOTICE OF TRSPAS RECD 358 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

CLAIM FC CANCELLED 359 (R) 01 ENTER DATE OF DECISION CANCELLING THE

02 CLAIM FINAL CERTIFICATE. USE WITH

03 MINERAL PATENT (CASE TYPE 386X).

20 ENTER PATENT APPLICATION SERIAL NUMBER

21 AND DATE FINAL CERTIFICATE ISSUED IN

22 ACTION REMARKS.

50 USE ONLY WITH CASE TYPES 3841, 3842,

51 3844.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

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BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

Domain Name

Domain 

Code & 

Input 

Rqmt

Line 

No. Description

DECISION AFFIRMED 361 (R) 01 ENTER DATE BLM DECISION IS AFFIRMED,

02 AFFIRMED IN PART OR AFFIRMED AS

03 MODIFIED, WITH NO REMAND BY REVIEWING

04 OFFICIAL, IBLA, OR NEXT HIGHEST

05 APPELLATE LEVEL.

20 CITE LEGAL BASIS (CFR, IBLA DECISION, SO

21 OPINION, ETC) FOLLOWED BY “IN PART” OR 

22 “MODIFIED” IN ACTION REMARKS.

DEC AFFIRMED IN PART 362 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE

50 USE ACTION CODE 361.

DEC AFFIRMED AS MODIFIED 363 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE

50 USE ACTION CODE 361.

DEC REMANDED FUR ACTION 365 (R) 01 ENTER DATE OF DECISION REMANDING THE

02 CASE FOR FURTHER ACTION.

20 CITE LEGAL REFERENCE IN ACTION REMARKS.

DEC REVRSD & REMANDED 366 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE

50 USE ACTION CODE 849.

DEC VACATED IN PART 370 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE

BOND APPROVED 376 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE

BOND REQUIRED 377 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE

BOND PERIOD TERMINATED 378 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE

REFUND AUTHORIZED 379 (R) 01 ENTER DATE REFUND IS AUTHORIZED.

20 ENTER AMOUNT OF REFUND IN ACTION REMARKS

21 BEGINNING IN FIRST POSITION OF ACTION 

22 REMARKS ENTER DOLLAR SYMBOL FOLLOWED

23 BY AMOUNT REFUNDED TO TWO DECIMAL 

24 PLACES (EX: $100.50). ENTER THE CBS RECEIPT

25 NUMBER OF THE INITIAL COLLECTION RECEIPT

26 IN THE “RECEIPT NUMBER” FIELD.

TITLE REVT/RECON TO US 381 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

ADVERSE CLAIM FILED 385 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE

CASE REINSTATED/REOPENED 388 (R) 01 ENTER DATE CLOSED CASE REOPENED.

40 RETURNS CASE TO RECORDED DISPOSITION.

HEARING REQUESTED 389 (R) 01 ENTER DATE HEARING IS REQUESTED PURSUANT

02 TO TITLE 43 CFR PART 4, SUBPART E.

20 OPTIONAL TO ENTER REASON IN ACTION

21 REMARKS.

CURABLE $25 MAINT FEE 391 (R) 01 ENTER DATE $25 CURABLE PORTION OF THE

02 MAINTENANCE FEE WAS RECEIVED. WILL ONLY

03 BE USED FOR 2005 ASSESSMENT YEAR. ENTER

04 RECEIPT NUMBER IN THE RECEIPT NUMBER FIELD

20 ENTER ASSESSMENT YEAR IN THE FIRST FOUR

21 SPACES OF ACTION REMARKS.

MONIES RECEIVED 392 (M) 01 ENTER DATE MONIES RECEIVED, DOLLAR 

02 AMOUNT IN ACTION REMARKS AND CBS

03 RECEIPT NUMBER IN THE RECEIPT NUMBER FIELD

DECISION/NOTICE ISSUED 393 (R) 01 ENTER DATE A BUREAU NOTICE OR BUREAU,
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VIII-7

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

Domain Name

Domain 

Code & 

Input 

Rqmt

Line 

No. Description

02

03

20

50

51

52

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE, OR INTERIOR

BOARD OF LAND APPEALS DECISION IS ISSUED.

ENTER REASON IN ACTION REMARKS.

DO NOT USE WHEN USING ACTION CODE 239 –

DECLARED NULL & VOID OR ACTION CODE 240

DECLARED N/V IN PART.

CURABLE SVC CHARGE 394 (R) 01 ENTER DATE CURABLE SERVICE CHARGE WAS

02 RECEIVED; THIS IS ONLY FOR A NEW MINING

03 CLAIM.

20 ENTER RECEIPT NUMBER IN THE RECEIPT

21 NUMBER FIELD.

RECORDATION NOTICE RECD 395 (M) 01 ENTER DATE NOTICE IS RECEIVED (DATE02 STAMPED) BY BLM.

40 THIS SETS DISPOSITION TO PENDING.

TRF OF INTEREST FILED 396 (R) 01 ENTER DATE TRANSFER OF INTERST

02 IS RECEIVED BY BLM. ENTER THE 

03 STATE’S EFFECTIVE DATE IN 

04 GENERAL REMARKS. USE WHEN

05 CLAIMANT CONVEYS ALL OR PART

06 INTEREST IN THEIR CLAIM.

80 OLD OWNER PROGRAMMATICALLY

81 MOVED TO ACTION REMARKS.

SURFACE RIGHTS DTRMINED 397 (R) 01 ENTER DATE SURFACE RIGHTS DETERMINAITON

02 COMPLETED AND CLAIMANT RIGHTS RECOGNIZED

03 UNDER PL 84-167.

20 ENTER IN ACTION REMARKS DATE OF 

21 DETERMINATION FROM PUBLICATION FILE,

22 (CASE TYPE 3710), OR CONTEST FILE IF 

23 VERIFIED STATEMENT WAS CONTESTED & RIGHT

24 WERE DETERMINED TO VEST IN THE CLAIMANT.

DOC RETURNED UNRECORDED 398 (R) 01

02

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

50

51

ENTER DATE UNACCEPTABLE DOCUMENT

RETURNED TO CLAIMANT.

ENTER AMOUNT TO BE EARNED IN

ACTION REMARKS FOLLOWED BY A

SEMICOLON. AFTER THE SEMICOLON,

ENTER THE ACTION CODE FOR THE TYPE

OF DOCUMENT. EXAMPLE: $20;396 OR $10;635.

IF MULTIPLE CASES ARE AFFECTED,

ENTER ACTION CODE ONCE IN LR2000

FOR EACH CASE WITH APPROPRIATE

DOLLAR AMOUNT IN ACTION REMARKS.

ENTER RECEIPT NUMBER IN RECEIPT

NUMBER FIELD.

CURABLE $15 MAINT FEE 399 (R) 01 ENTER DATE $15 CURABLE PORTION OF THE 

02 MAINTENANCE FEE WAS RECEIVED. WILL ONLY

03 BE USED FOR 2010 ASSESSMENT YEAR. ENTER

04 RECEIPT NUMBER IN THE RECEIPT NUMBER FIELD

20 ENTER ASSESSMENT YEAR IN FIRST FOUR SPACES
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VIII-8

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

Domain Name

Domain 

Code & 

Input 

Rqmt

Line 

No. Description

21 OF ACTION REMARKS

LOCATION DATE 403 (M) 01 ENTER DATE OF LOCATION OF UNPATENTED

02 MINING CLAIM.

40 THIS CODE SETS CASE DISPOSITION TO ACTIVE.

COUNTY RECORDATION 404 (O) 01 ENTER DATE DOCUMENT WAS RECORDED WITH

02 THE COUNTY.

20 OPTIONAL TO ENTER VOLUME, BOOK, PAGE

21 NUMBER OR RECEPTION NUMBER IN ACTION

22 REMARKS. EXAMPLE: NNNN;NNNN;NNNN

CASE SEGREGATED BY TRF 410 (R) 01 USE ONLY ON PATENT CASE. ENTER DATE

02 THE TRANSFER OF INTEREST THAT 

03 SUBDIVIDED THE CLAIM WAS RECEIVED.

04 USE ACTION CODE 411 CASE CREATED

05 BY TRF ON NEW CASE.

20 ENTER SERIAL NUMBER OF NEW CASE

21 IN ACTION REMARKS. EX: INTO CAMC29333.

22 ENTER EFF DATE OF DEED IN REMARKS.

CASE CREATED BY TRF 411 (M) 01 USE ONLY ON NEW CASE. ENTER DATE

02 THE TRANSFER OF INTEREST THAT

03 SUBDIVIDED THE CLAIM WAS RECEIVED.

04 ENTER ACTION CODE 410 CASE SEGREGATED

05 BY TRF ON PARENT CASE.

20 ENTER SERIAL NUMBER OF PARENT CASE

21 IN ACTION REMARKS. EX: OUT OF CAMC22222.

22 ENTER EFF DATE OF DEED IN REMARKS.

ACTIVE MILITARY WAIVER 477 (R) 01 ENTER DATE BLM ACCEPTED THE

02 WAIVER APPLICATION AND NOTICE

03 OF MILITARY DUTY.

20 ENTER ASSESSMENT YEAR IN FIRST 

21 FOUR SPACES OF ACTION REMARKS.

LEAVE ACTIVE MILITARY 478 (R) 01 ENTER DATE BLM ACCEPTED A 

02 NOTICE THE CLAIMANT LEFT ACTIVE

03 MILITARY DUTY.

20 ENTER ASSESSMENT YEAR IN FIRST

21 FOUR SPACES OF ACTION REMARKS.

RECLAMATION WAIVER 479 (R) 01 ENTER DATE BLM ACCEPTED THE

02 RECLAMATION WAIVER.

20 ENTER ASSESSMENT YEAR IN FIRST

21 FOUR SPACES OF ACTION REMARKS.

EVID OF ASSMT FILED 480 (R) 01 ENTER DATE EVIDENCE OF PROOF OF LABOR OR

02 AFFIDAVIT OF ASSESSMENT WORK PERFORMED

03 WAS FILED (DATE STAMPED). IF TIMELY FILE

04 AFTER DECEMBER 30TH, ENTER DATE AS 

05 12/30/XXXX.

20 ENTER ASSESSMENT YEAR IN THE FIRST FOUR

21 SPACES OF ACTION REMARKS.

50 USE ONLY WITH CASE TYPES 3841 AND 3842.

NOTICE OF INTENT TO HOLD (R) 481 (R) 20 ENTER ASSESSMENT YEAR IN FIRST FOUR
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VIII-9

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

Domain Name

Domain 

Code & 

Input 

Rqmt

Line 

No. Description

21 SPACES OF ACTION REMARKS.

MAINTENANCE FEE/$100 (R) 482 (R) 01 ENTER DATE THIS $100 MAINTENANCE FEE

02 WAS RECEIVED. ENTER THE RECEIPT NUMBER

03 IN THE RECEIPT NUMBER FIELD.

20 ENTER ASSESSMENT YEAR IN FIRST FOUR

21 SPACES OF ACTION REMARKS.

SMALL MINER CERT FILED 483 (R) 01 ENTER DATE THAT THE SMALL MINER

02 CERTIFICATION FOR EXEMPTION/WAIVER

03 FROM THE CLAIM RENTAL/MAINTENANCE FEE

04 WAS RECEIVED.

20 ENTER ASSESSMENT YEAR IN FIRST FOUR

21 SPACES OF ACTION REMARKS.

LOCATION YEAR/MAINTENANCE FEE 484 (M) 01 ENTER DATE OF LOCAITON YEAR THAT THE FIRST

02 MAINTENANCE FEE IS RECEIVED AND THE CBS

03 RECEIPT NUMBER IN THE RECEIPT NUMBER FIELD

MULTIPLE PAYMENT 485 (R) 01

02

20

ENTER DATE A MULTIPLE PAYMENT IS RECEIVED FOR

A CLAIM/SITE.

ENTER THE ACTION CODE NUMBER RELATED TO THE

21 REASON FOR THE MULTIPLE PAYMENT IN ACTION

22 REMARKS ENDING WITH A SEMICOLON FOLLOWED BY

23 THE RELATED ASSESSMENT YEAR. MAY ONLY USE THE

24 FOLLOWING ACTION CODES FOR THE REASON IN ACTION

25 REMARKS: 480 (EVIDENCE OF ASSESSMENT FILED),481

26 NOTICE OF INTENT TO HOLD), OR MOST RECENT

27 MAINTENANCE FEE PAYMENT CODE (e.g., 482, 582, 682)

28 EXAMPLE: 480;2009

29 ENTER THE RECEIPT NUMBER IN THE RECEIPT NUMBER

30 FIELD.

UNACCEPTABLE WAIVER 486 (R) 01 ENTER DATE THAT AN UNACCEPTABLE WAIVER

02 FILING WAS RECEIVED. ENTER ASSESSMENT 

03 YEAR IN FIRST FOUR SPACES OF ACTION REMARK

REMAND REQUESTED 487 (R) 01 ENTER DATE OF MEMORANDUM REQUESTING

02 REMAND OF THE CASE FROM IBLA.

ASSESS DOC RECEIVED 488 (R) 01 ENTER DATE THAT AN ASSESSMENT DOCUMENT WAS 

RECEIVED.

02 USE THIS ONLY WHEN THE DOCUMENT WAS NOT

03 REQUIRED BY BLM (i.e. EVIDENCE OF ASSESSMENT

04 FILED WHEN A MAINTENANCE FEE WAS RECEIVED.)

20 ENTER THE ACTION CODE NUMBER RELATED TO

21 THE REASON FOR THE ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT

22 DOCUMENT RECEIVED IN ACTION REMARKS

23 FOLLOWED BY A SEMICOLON AND THE RELATED

24 ASSESSMENT YEAR. ENTER THE RECEIPT NUMBER

25 FIELD. ACTION REMARK REASONS FOR 

26 ASSESSMENT DOCUMENT RECEIVED: 

27 480 (FOR EVIDENCE OF ASSESSMENT FILED)

28 481 (FOR NOTICE OF INTENT TO HOLD)

60 EXAMPLE FOR ACTION REMARKS: 480;2002
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VIII-10

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

Domain Name

Domain 

Code & 

Input 

Rqmt

Line 

No. Description

APPRAISAL/REAPPR RQSTD 489 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

MINERAL APPRIASAL RQST 490 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

LITIGATION COMPLETED 491 (R) 01 ENTER DATE JUDICIAL ACTION ON THE CASE

02 IS COMPLETED. INCLUDES CIVIL ACTIONS

03 IN REGARD TO ADVERSE CLAIMS.

TITLE ACCEPTED BY US 494 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE

DUP FILE SENT TO IBLA 495 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

CURABLE MAINTENANCE FEE 499 ® 01

02

03

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

ENTER THE DATE THE CURABLE

MAINTENANCE FEE PAYMENT WAS

RECEIVED.

ENTER ASSESSMENT YEAR IN FIRST

FOUR SPACES OF ACTION REMARKS

BEFORE THE SEMICOLON (;) AND

THE PROGRAMMED DOLLAR 

AMOUNT. FOR EXAMPLE: 2015;$15.

ENTER RECEIPT NUMBER IN THE

RECEIPT NUMBER FIELD.

MAP IN LEAD FILE 500 (R) 01 ENTER DATE OF RECORDING.

20 IN LEAD CASE OPTIONAL TO ENTER INCLUSIVE

21 SERIAL NUMBERS OF ALL CLAIMS WITHIN THE

22 LEAD CASE IN ACTION REMARKS FOLLOWED BY

23 A SEMICOLON, EX: NMC84132-84200;

24 IN CASES OTHER THAN LEAD CASE, ENTER

25 SERIAL NUMBER OF LEAD CASE IN ACTION

26 REMARKS.

ACC ADV IN LEAD FILE 501 (M) 01 ENTER DATE OF RECORDING.

20 IN LEAD CASE OPTIONAL TO ENTER INCLUSIVE

21 SERIAL NUMBERS OF ALL CLAIMS WITHIN THE

22 LEAD CASE IN ACTION REMARKS FOLLOWED BY

23 A SEMICOLON, EX: NMC84132-84200; IN

24 CASES OTHER THAN LEAD CASE, ENTER

25 SERIAL NUMBER OF LEAD CASE IN ACTION

26 REMARKS.

NOTICE ACCEPTED 517 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

NOTICE TERMINATED 518 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

CASE IN WSA 566 (R) 01 ENTER DATE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OR IDENTIFI02 CATION IS MADE WHERE LANDS HAVE BEEN

03 IDENTIFIED TO BE IN WHOLE OR IN PART,

04 IN A WILDERNESS STUDY AREA.

20 ENTER NAME AND/OR NUMBER OF WSA IN

21 ACTION REMARKS.

CLAIM IN DWA 567 (R) 01 ENTER DATE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OR IDENTIFI02 CATION IS MADE WHERE LANDS HAVE BEEN

03 IDENTIFIED TO BE IN WHOLE OR IN PART

04 IN A DESIGNATED WILDERNESS AREA.

20 ENTER NAME OF DWA IN ACTION REMARKS.

MAINTENANCE FEE/$125 582 (R) 01 ENTER DATE THE $125 MAINTENANCE FEE

02 WAS RECEIVED. ENTER RECEIPT NUMBER IN
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VIII-11

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

Domain Name

Domain 

Code & 

Input 

Rqmt

Line 

No. Description

03 THE RECEIPT NUMBER FIELD.

20 ENTER ASSESSMENT YEAR IN FIRST FOUR

21 SPACES OF ACTION REMARKS.

RECORDS NOTED 600 01

02

03

04

05

06

ENTER DATE NOTATION IS EITHER

MADE ON OR REMOVED FROM THE

MASTER TITLE PLAT AND/OR HISTORICAL

INDEX. USE ALSO WHEN NOTING THE

TRACT BOOKS IN THE EASTERN STATES

OFFICE.

CLAIM FINAL CERT ISSUED 630 (R) 01 ENTER DATE FINAL CERTIFICATE SIGNED.

20 IF SUPPLEMENTAL OR CORRECTED, NOTE IN

21 ACTION REMARKS. OPTIONAL TO ENTER PATENT

22 APPLICATION SERIAL NUMBER IN ACTION

23 REMARKS.

50 USE ONLY WITH CASE TYPES 3841, 3842 AND

51 3844.

ABANDONMENT CLAIM VOID 631 (R) 01 ENTER DATE MINING CLAIM OR SITE DEEMED

02

03

ABANDONED AND VOID OR FOFEITED BY STATUTE. 

USE DATE OF STATUTORY ABANDONMENT OR DATE

04 CLAIM OR SITE IS CONSIDERED FORFEITED. DO NOT

05 USE DATE OF DECISION. DATE WILL EITHER BE

06 09/01/XXXX OR 12/30/XXXX (USE APPROPRIATE YEAR

07 IN PLACE OF XXXX.) ALWAYS USE IN CONJUNCTION

08 WITH AC 393 DECISION ISSUED, TO RECORD THE

09 ACTUAL DATE OF THE DECISION.

20

21

22

40

ENTER REASON FOR DECISION IN ACTION REMARKS

(NO MAINTENANCE FEE; NO WAIVER CURE;

NO FLPMA DOCUMENT, ETC.)

ALTERS CASE DISPOSITION TO CLOSED.

VOID BY OPERATION OF LAW 632 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

50 USE CODE 631.

DEFERMENT REQUEST FILED 633 (R) 01 ENTER DATE REQUEST FOR DEFERMENT

02 IS FILED. USE FOR CASE TYPES 3841 AND

03 3842 ONLY.

20 ENTER ASSESSMENT YEAR REQUESTED IN FIRST

21 FOUR SPACES OF ACTION REMARKS.

DEFERMENT GRANTED 634 (R) 01 ENTER DATE DEFERMENT OF ASSESSMENT

02 WORK IS GRANTED.

20 ENTER ASSESSMENT YEAR DEFERRED IN FIRST

21 FOUR SPACES OF ACTION REMARKS.

AMENDED LOCATION FILED 635 (R) 01 ENTER DATE AMENDED LOCATION NOTICE OR

02 CERTIFICATE IS FILED

BOND TERMINATION RQSTD 636 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE

CASE CLOSED CONVERSION 666 01 USED FOR CONVERSION PURPOSES ONLY.

02 WILL NOT BE CONVERTED TO ALMRS/IOC.

LAND STATUS CHECKED 669 (R) 01 ENTER DATE LAND STATUS RECORD 

02 IS CHECKED.

20 OPTIONAL TO ENTER INITIALS OF STATUS
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VIII-12

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

Domain Name

Domain 

Code & 

Input 

Rqmt

Line 

No. Description

21 VERIFIER IN ACTION REMARKS.

SUSPENSION LIFTED 678 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

MAINTENANCE FEE/$140 682 (R) 01 ENTER DATE THE $140 MAINTENANCE FEE WAS

02 RECEIVED. ENTER RECEIPT NUMBER IN THE

03

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

RECEIPT NUMBER FIELD. 

PRIOR TO ASSESSMENT YEAR 2012, ENTER ASSESSMENT

YEAR IN FIRST FOUR SPACES OF ACTION REMARKS.

AFTER JULY 27, 2012, REMARKS WILL BE FORMATTED

WITH THE ASSESSMENT YEAR AND TOTAL

MAINTENANCE FEE AMOUNT DUE. EXAMPLE:

2013;$1,120. FOR LODE, MILL SITE, AND TUNNEL SITE

CASES, THE AMOUNT WILL BE $140. FOR PLACER

CLAIMS, TOTAL AMOUNT DUE IS BASED ON TOTAL

ACREAGE IN THE CLAIM. 

ADDL/CURABLE MAINT FEE 685 01

02

03

04

20

21

22

23

ENTER DATE ADDITIONAL OR CURABLE PORTION OF

MAINTENANCE FEE WAS RECEIVED. WILL ONLY

BE USED IF THE ASSESSMENT YEAR IS EQUAL TO OR 

GREATER THAN 2012.

ENTER RECEIPT NUMBER IN THE RECEIPT NUMBER

FIELD. ENTER ASSESSMENT YEAR FOLLOWED BY

A SEMICOLON AND THEN THE DOLLAR AMOUNT 

IN ACTION REMARKS. EXAMPLE: 2012;$280.

ORDER ISSUED 705 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

PATENT ISSUED IN PART 710 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

PENDING RESOLUTION 777 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

02 THIS CODE MUST BE DELETED ONCE THE

03 LOCKE DECISION HAS BEEN APPLIED.

SURFACE RIGHTS – OWNER 779 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

50 USE CODE 397.

MAINTENANCE FEE PAYMENT 782 01

02

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

ENTER DATE THE MAINTENANCE FEE

PAYMENT WAS RECEIVED.

ENTER ASSESSMENT YEAR IN FIRST

FOUR SPACES OF ACTION REMARKS

BEFORE THE SEMICOLON (;) AND

THE PROGRAMMED DOLLAR 

AMOUNT. FOR EXAMPLE: 2015;$155

ENTER RECEIPT NUMBER IN THE

RECEIPT NUMBER FIELD.

MINERAL REPORT RECEIVED 840 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

QUIT CLAIM DEED RECEIVED 844 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

DECISION REVERSED 849 (R) 01 ENTER DATE OF DECISION REVERSING OR

02 REVERSING IN PART AND REMANDING THE 

03 CASE.

20 CITE LEGAL REFERENCE IN ACTION REMARKS.

MINERAL REPORT RECEIVED 851 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

PUBLISHED IN NEWSPAPER 860 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

RESERVED MINERAL ESTATE 880 (R) 01 ENTER DATE CLAIM OR SITE LOCATED ON

02 FEDERAL RESERVED MINERAL ESTATE.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VIII-13

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

Domain Name

Domain 

Code & 

Input 

Rqmt

Line 

No. Description

20 ENTER TYPE OF SURFACE PATENT IN

21 ACTION REMARKS, i.e., STOCK RAISING

22 HOMESTEAD, COLOR-OF-TITLE, ETC.

CASE DESTROYED 885 (M) 01 ENTER DATE CASE DESTROYED.

02 CASE MAY NOT BE DESTROYED UNTIL SIX

03 YEAR AND THREE MONTHS HAVE ELAPSED FROM

04 DATE OF CASE CLOSURE AS PER 1272 RECORDS

05 DISPOSITION, SCHEDULE 4.

20 OPTION TO ENTER BY WHOM IN ACTION REMARKS

UNDELIVERABLE ADDRESS 888 (R) 01 ENTER DATE OF DETERMINATION THAT ADDRESS

02 OF RECORD IS INCORRECT AND NO FORWARDING

03 ADDRESS HAS BEEN FILED. USE ON ALL CASE

04 TYPES. USE WHEN CLAIM IS ACTIVE AND 

05 ADDRESS IS INVALID. THIS CODE MUST 

06 BE DELETED IF THE INVALID ADDRESS IS

07 CHANGED TO A VALID ADDRESS.

DEFERMENT DENIED 896 (R) 01 ENTER DATE DECISION IS SIGNED DENYING

02 CLAIMANTS REQUEST FOR DEFERMENT OF 

03 ASSESSMENT WORK UNDER 43 CFR 3852. USE

04 ONLY WITH 3841 AND 3842 CASE TYPES.

MAINT WAIVER DOC FILED 913 (R) 01 ENTER DATE DOCUMENT RECEIVED. ACTION 

02 ENTERED ON FIRST LISTED SERIAL NUMBER

03 ONLY.

20 ENTER ASSESSMENT YEAR IN ACTION

21 REMARKS. EXAMPLE: 2010

CASE SENT TO 960 (R) 01 ENTER DATE CASE SENT TO ANOTHER OFFICE.

20 REQUIRED TO ENTER WHERE OR TO WHOM

21 SENT IN ACTION REMARKS.

CASE MICROFILMED 963 (R) 01 ENTER DATE CASE FILE IS MICROFILMED.

20 OPTIONAL TO ENTER BY WHOM IN ACTION 

21 REMARKS.

AUTOMATED RECORD VERIF 974 (R) 01 ENTER DATE THE AUTOMATED CASE RECORD

02 WAS VERIFIED.

20 ENTER INITIALS OF VERIFIER IN ACTION

21 REMARKS.

CODE TO BE DEFINED 999 01 THIS IS A NON-INPUT CODE.

02 REQUEST A NEW CODE FROM THE SERVICE

03 CENTER THROUGH YOUR STATE DATA

04 ADMINISTRATOR.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VIII-14

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

CASE RECORDATION CODES FOR CONTESTS

Domain Name Action 

Code

Description

CASE ESTABLISHED 387 (M) ENTER DATE THE HEARING IS REQUESTED FROM THE 

SMA.

REPORT REQUESTED 910 (R) ENTER DATE NOTICE WAS SENT TO SMA REQUESTING 

IF THEY WANTED A HEARING OR IF A SOLICITORS 

OPINION IS REQUIRED.

IN REMARKS – ENTER TO WHOM THE REPORT IS 

REQUESTED

REPORT RECEIVED 911 (R) ENTER DATE THE REPORT IS RECEIVED AT BLM.

IN REMARKS – ENTER FROM WHOM THE REPORT IS 

RECEIVED.

HEARING REQUESTED 389 (R) ENTER DATE THE HEARING IS REQUESTED FROM THE 

SMA.

HEARING ORDERED 223 (R) ENTER DATE HEARING IS ORDERED BEFORE 

HEARINGS OFFICER OR ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE. 

IF BLM, NOTE IN ACTION REMARKS. OPTIONAL TO 

ENTER DATE AND LOCATION OF SCHEDULED 

HEARING IN ACTION/GENERAL REMARKS. PENDING 

ENTITY REQUIRED FOR MINERALS, OPTIONAL FOR 

LANDS.

HEARING HELD 222 (R) ENTER DATE THE HEARING IS HELD.

CONTEST FILED OR ISSUED 180 (M) ENTER DATE GOVERNMENT OR PRIVATE CONTEST IS 

INITIATED. ENTER BY WHOM IN ACTION REMARKS.

REFERENCE NUMBER 501 (R) ENTER DATE THE HEARING IS REQUESTED.

IN ACTION REMARKS – REFERENCE THE MINING 

CLAIM SERIAL NUMBER.

CONTEST SENT HRNG/APLS 161 (R) ENTER THE DATE THE CONTEST CASE FILE IS SENT TO 

THE ALJ.

IN REMARKS – ENTER TO WHOM AND WHERE THE FILE 

WAS SENT. EX: ALJ SALT LAKE CITY; OR IBLA;

CONTEST COMPLAINT ANSWERED 178 (R) ENTER THE DATE THE ALJ OR IBLA RENDERED THEIR 

DECISION

IN REMARKS – TYPE OF DECISION RENDERED

CONTEST DISMISSED 179 (R) ENTER DATE CONTEST IS DISMISSED.

CASE CLOSED 970 (M) ENTER DATE CONTEST FILE IS CLOSED
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VIII-15

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

CASE RECORDATION CODES FOR SRHA INPUT

Domain Name Action 

Code

Description

CASE ESTABLISHED 387 (M) ENTER THE DATE THE NOITL IS RECEIVED. PENDING 

ENTITY IS REQUIRED

FILING FEE RECEIVED 347 (O) ENTER DATE FILING FEE IS RECEIVED. 

IN REMARKS - ENTER AMOUNT RECEIVED. $30.00;

LAND STATUS CHECKED 669 (O) ENTER DATE LAND STATUS IS CHECKED.

IN REMARKS - ENTER EMPLOYEES INITIALS.

ADD’L INFO REQUESTED 104 (O) ENTER DATE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS 

REQUESTED. 

IN REMARKS - ENTER TYPE OF INFORMATION WAS 

REQUESTED AND FROM WHOM. PENDING ENTITY IS 

REQUIRED.

ADD’L INFO RECEIVED 103 (O) ENTER DATE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IS 

RECEIVED.

IN REMARKS – ENTER TYPE OF INFORMATION 

REQUESTED AND FROM WHOM. REMOVE PENDING 

ENTITY FROM ACTION CODE 104

APPLICATION WITHDRAWN 130 (R) ENTER DATE NOTICE IS WITHDRAWN. REMOVE 

PENDING ENTITY FROM ACTION CODE 387

APLN REJ/DENIED 125 (R) ENTER DATE OF DECISION REJECTING OR DENYING 

THE NOTICE

IN REMARKS – ENTER REASON FOR REJECTION. EX: 

PRIOR FILING. REMOVE PENDING ENTITY FROM 

ACTION CODE 387.

LAND SEGREGATED 552 (R) ENTER DATE AFTER THE NOTICE WAS FILED WITH 

BLM

SEGREGATION (MINERAL) 543 (R) ENTER DATE AFTER THE NOTICE WAS FILED WITH 

BLM

BEGINNING DATE 891 (R) ENTER DATE CLAIMANT INTENDS TO OCCUPY THE 

LAND AS SPECIFIED IN THE NOTICE. IF MULTIPLE 

DATES, ENTER THE FIRST STARTING DATE.

COMPLETION DATE 893 (R) ENTER DATE CLAIMANT INTENDS TO DISCONTINUE 

OCCUPYING THE LAND AS SPECIFIED IN THE NOTICE. 

IF MULTIPLE DATES, ENTER THE LAST ENDING DATE.

EXPLORATION AUTHORIZATION 

DATE

344 (R) ENTER BEGINNING DATE OF AUTHORIZED 

EXPLORATION. THIS DATE IS, BY LAW, THE 31ST DAY 

AFTER THE NOTICE HAS BEEN SERVED ON THE 

SURFACE OWNER.

IN REMARKS – ENTER THE DATE SURFACE OWNER 

SIGNED THE CERTIFIED CARD. EX: 10271948; REMOVE 

PENDING ENTITY FROM ACTION CODE 387.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VIII-16

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

Domain Name Action 

Code

Description

EXPIRES 763 (R) NORMALLY THE NOTICE SEGREGATES THE LAND FOR 

90 DAYS. HOWEVER, IF A PLAN OF OPERATION IS 

FILED WITHIN THE SEGREGATION PERIOD, THE 

SEGREGATION CONTINUES UNTIL THE PLAN IS 

APPROVED, DISAPPROVED, OR OTHERWISE CLOSED. 

IF A PLAN IS FILED WITHIN THE SEGREGATION 

PERIOD, CHANGE THE EXPIRES DATE TO 01/01/9999. 

UPON APPROVAL, DISAPPROVAL, ETC. OF THE PLAN, 

DELETE THIS CODE AND ENTER CODE 234 EXPIRED.

IN REMARKS – ENTER THE DATE THE SEGREGATION 

PERIOD SHOULD TERMINATE.

APPEAL FILED 120 (R) ENTER DATE THE NOTICE OF APPEAL IS FILED. 

PENDING ENTITY IS REQUIRED.

APPEAL DISMISSED 119 (R) ENTER DATE APPEAL IS DISMISSED BY APPROPRIATE 

AUTHORITY. REMOVE PENDING ENTITY FROM 

ACTION CODE 120.

APPEAL WITHDRAWN 930 (R) ENTER DATE CLAIMANT WITHDREW THE APPEAL. 

REMOVE PENDING ENTITY FROM ACTION CODE 120.

DECISION AFFIRMED 361 (R) ENER DATE DECISION IS AFFIRMED. REMOVE 

PENDING ENTITY FROM ACTION CODE 120.

DECISION REMANDED 365 (R) ENTER DATE DECISION IS REMANDED. REMOVE 

PENDING ENTITY FROM ACTION CODE 120.

DECISION REVERSED AND 

REMANDED

366 (R) ENTER DATE DECISION IS REVERSED AND REMANDED. 

REMOVE PENDING ENTITY FROM ACTION CODE 120.

TERMINATED 244 (R) ENTER DATE AUTHORIZED EXPLORAITON PERIOD 

TERMINATES.

SEGREGATION TERMINATED 372 (R) ENTER DATE SEGREGATION TERMINATES, 90-DAYS 

FROM THE DATE OF FILING WITH BLM.

CASE CLOSED 970 (M) ENTER THE DATE THE AUTHORIZED EXPLORATION 

TERMINATES.
H-3830-1 - ADMINISTRATION OF MINING CLAIMS, 

MILL SITES, AND TUNNEL SITES (P) VIII-17

BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

B. Alaska Land Information System (ALIS)/Alaska Case Retrieval Enterprise 

System (ACRES) Data Element Dictionary

The highlighted rows are the actions used for surface management case files in ALIS/ACRES.

Action Date

Action 

Code Action Description Action Remarks Receipt Number Assmt Yr

Date Received 003 AMEND/CORR LOC/NOT RQSTD Reason for Amendment

Date Received 004 AMEND/CORR LOC/NOT RECD Reason for Amendment

Date Received 006 LOC/NOT REJ/DENIED Reason for Rejection

Date Received 007 LOC/NOT REJ/DENIED PART Reason

Date Received 019 LOCATION SERVICE CHARGE

Entered through the 

CBS/ALIS Interface

Date Received 020 CLAIM LOCATION FEE

Entered through the 

CBS/ALIS Interface

Date Received 056 AMENDMENT FEE RECEIVED

Entered through the 

CBS/ALIS Interface

Date Received 072 FILING FEE RECEIVED

Entered through the 

CBS/ALIS Interface

Date Received 085 CREDIT CARD CREDIT AUTHD

Entered through the 

CBS/ALIS Interface

Date Received 090 CREDIT CARD CREDIT ISSUD

Entered through the 

CBS/ALIS Interface

Date Received 091 REFUND ISSUED

Entered through the 

CBS/ALIS Interface

Date Received 092 AUTHORIZED REFUND

Entered through the 

CBS/ALIS Interface

Date Received 099 STOP PAYMENT/NSF
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Action Date

Action 

Code Action Description Action Remarks Receipt Number Assmt Yr

Date Received 110 ANNUAL FILING FEE RECD

Entered through the 

CBS/ALIS Interface

Date Received 111 TRF OF INT FEE RECD

Entered through the 

CBS/ALIS Interface

Date Received 112 ADDTL INFO/EVID RQSTD Document/Info Requested

Date Received 113 ADDTL INFO/EVID RECD Document/Info Received

Date Received 121 COMPL EXAM/RPT COMPLETED

Date Received 131 FIELD REPORT APPROVED

Date Received 138 MINERAL VAL EXAM RQSTD

Date Received 139 MINERAL VAL RPT WRITTEN

Date Received 140 LOC MIN EXAM/RPT RQSTD

Date Received 141 MINERAL EXAM/RPT APPV

Date Received 143 LSE MIN EXAM/RPT RQSTD

Date Received 152 REPORT REQUESTED Report Name

Date Received 153 REPORT RECEIVED

Date Received 169 ADM-JURIS TRFD To whom?

Date Received 199 CASES CONSOLIDATED Other serial number

Date Received 207 CONFLICT IDENTIFIED

Date Received 219 DECEASED

Date Received 230 EXT OF TIME RQSTD Amount of time

Date Received 231 EXT OF TIME GRANTED Amount of time
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Action Date

Action 

Code Action Description Action Remarks Receipt Number Assmt Yr

Date Received 232 EXT OF TIME DENIED Reason

Date Received 251 CLAIM/LEASE DIGITIZED

Date Received 255 LAND STATUS CHECKED

Date Received 272 EA INITIATED

Date Received 273 EIS ANALYSIS INITIATED

Date Received 274 CX INITIATED

Date Received 275 CX DETERMINED

Date Received 276 EA APPROVED

Date Received 277 EIS APPROVED

Date Received 278 DNA INITIATED

Date Received 279 DNA CONCLUDED

Date Received 290 NAME CHANGE RECOGNIZED Name

Date Received 397 SURFACE RGT DET/RECOG

Date Received 408 REG SOL OPN/CONCUR RQSTD

Date Received 413 TITLE RECOVERY COMMENCED

Date Received 454 LANDS IN USFS WSA

Date Received 513 DET MIN IN CHARACTER

Date Received 514 DET NON-MIN IN CHARACTER

Date Received 520 RECONSIDRTN REQST DENIED

Date Received 529 REG SOL OPINION RCVD
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Action Date

Action 

Code Action Description Action Remarks Receipt Number Assmt Yr

Date Received 538 RECONSIDERATION GRANTED

Date Received 540 FILING FEE REQUIRED

Date Received 586 TRF OF INT FILED/ACK

Effective Date by State 

Law

Date Received 700 APPEAL FILED IBLA Docket Number

Date Received 701 APPEAL DISMISSED IBLA Number

Date Received 702 APPEAL WITHDRAWN Reason

Date Received 705 STAY REQUESTED

Date Received 706 STAY GRANTED IBLA Number

Date Received 707 STAY DENIED IBLA Number

Date Received 708 DEC REMANDED IBLA Number

Date Received 709 CONTEST FILED OR ISSUED Serial Number

Date Received 710 CONTEST COMPLT ANSWERED

Date Received 711 CONTEST COMPLT DISMISSED Reason

Date Received 712 CONTEST SENT HRNG&APPLS

Date Received 718 DEC ISSUED Reason

Date Received 719 DEC AFFIRMED IBLA Number

Date Received 720 DEC REVRSD & REMANDED IBLA Number

Date Received 721 DEC VACATED/RESCINDED Reason

Date Received 722 DEC MODIFIED Reason

Date Received 725 DEC AFFRMD PART/RVSD PT IBLA Number
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Action Date

Action 

Code Action Description Action Remarks Receipt Number Assmt Yr

Date Received 729 HEARING NOT REQUIRED

Date Received 730 HEARING REQUESTED

Date Received 731 HEARING ORDERED Date of Hearing

Date Received 732 HEARING HELD

Date Received 736 LITIGATION FILED Court Document Number

Date Received 737 LITIGATION COMPLETED

Date Received 740 NULL AND VOID DECISION Reason

Date Received 741 NULL AND VOID IN PT DEC Reason

Date Received 745 PROTEST FILED Reason

Date Received 747 PROTEST DISMISSED Reason

Date Received 748 PROTEST WITHDRAWN Reason

Date Received 752 RECONSIDERATION RQSTD IBLA Number

Date Received 753 REMAND REQUESTED

Date Received 755 SHOW CAUSE ORDER ISSUED

Date Received 780 RELQ FILED

Date Received 781 RELQ (PARTIAL) FILED

Date Received 782 RELQ ACCEPTED

Date Received 783 RELQ (PARTIAL) ACCEPTED

Date Received 784 RELQ ACCEPTED IN PART

Date Received 785 RELQ UNACPT/DENIED
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Action Date

Action 

Code Action Description Action Remarks Receipt Number Assmt Yr

Date Received 825 SUBJ TO PL 359

Date Received 870 EXCLUDED FROM CONVEYANCE

Date Received 872 FINAL CERT ISSUED

Date Received 873 FINAL CERT CANCELLED

Date Received 879 CLAIM PATENTED

Date Received 880 PATENT CANCELLED

Date Received 883 QUIT CLAIM DEED RECEIVED

Date Received 884 TITLE REV/RECNV TO US

Date Received 885 TITLE ACCEPTED BY U S

Date Received 890 ABANDONMENT CLAIM VOID

Date Received 891 AMENDED LOCATION FILED

Date Received 892 ADDRESS CHANGE FILED

Date Received 893 LEAD CASE

Date Received 894 DEFERMENT REQUEST FILED Reason

Date Received 895 DEFERMENT GRANTED

Date Received 896 DEFERMENT DENIED Reason

Date Received 897 INSUFFICIENT FILINGS

Date Received 898 CLAIM FORFEITED

Date Received 900 EVID OF ASSMT FILED Yes

Date Received 901 FERC/FPA OPEN TO MINING
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Action Date

Action 

Code Action Description Action Remarks Receipt Number Assmt Yr

Date Received 902 CLAIM MAINTENANCE FEE

Entered through the 

CBS/ALIS Interface Yes

Date Received 903 SMALL MINER'S CERT FILED Yes

Date Received 904 LOCATION NOTICE FILED

Date Received 905 LOC ON RES MIN ESTATE

Date Received 906 LOCATION DATE

Date Received 912 NOTICE OF INTENT TO HOLD Yes

Date Received 913

MAINT WAIVER DOC FILED -

entered into first serial number on 

document

Date Received 914 SURFACE MGT FILE ESTB

Date Received 916 UNDELIVERABLE ADDRESS

Date Received 958 CASE REOPENED

Date Received 960 CASE SENT TO

Date Received 961 CASE RECEIVED FROM

Date Received 962 CASE SENT TO NARA

Date Received 963 CASE RECALLED NARA

Date Received 964 CASE MICROFILMED - Not used

Date Received 965 CASE DESTROYED

Date Received 967 CLOSED WITHOUT ACTION

Date Received 970 CASE CLOSED
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Action Date

Action 

Code Action Description Action Remarks Receipt Number Assmt Yr

Date Received 974 AUTOMATED RECORD VERIF

Date Received 992 T & E RES CONCERN
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BLM HANDBOOK Rel. 1

C. ALIS/ACRES Customer Processing Procedures

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this handbook is to guide you through the set of automated 

tasks that affect customer information stored in the customer tables of ALIS/ACRES. In order to 

be able to create and maintain customer information, you must understand the concepts used in 

storing customer information in ALIS/ACRES. 

OVERVIEW: Customer processing encompasses an independent section of the ALIS/ACRES

separate from land and mineral case information. It is possible for a customer’s data to reside in 

the System’s customer section, but not be associated with any case in ALIS/ACRES. However, 

a customer must exist in the customer section of the ALIS/ACRES to be included in a case. 

How a Customer’s Information is stored in ALIS/ACRES: Each customer has ONE 

customer ID number. Each customer can have MULTIPLE names or addresses within one 

customer ID number. For example, a customer with customer number 1357 could have more 

than one name by which they are known as well as two addresses. It would appear in 

ALIS/ACRES as: 

CUST ID CUST NAME NUM CUSTOMER NAME

1357 001 Jane Q. Public

002 Jane Q. Maiden Name

CUST ADDRESS NUM CUSTOMER ADDRESS

001 234 Uphill Lane, Anchorage, AK 99510

002 P O Box 46, Yakutat, AK 99501

CUSTOMER PROCESSING PROCEDURES

Customers may be entered and maintained in ALIS from two points on the ALIS/ACRES Main 

Menu: the Customer Processing Menu or the Case Processing Menu. Where to Process customer 

information in ALIS/ACRES:

1. ADD new customers - use the Customer Processing Menu or Multiple Case Processing 

Menu

2. DELETE existing customers - use the Customer Processing Menu

3. UPDATE customer information - use the Customer Processing Menu

4. ASSOCIATE CUSTOMER TO CASE - use the Case Processing Menu

5. QUERY customer information - use Case Retrieval Menu or Customer Processing Menu
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1. CUSTOMER PROCESSING MENU

Within the Customer Processing Menu you will find: 

Add/Delete Customer

Maintain Customer File

Find Customer by Name

Customer Processing Reports Menu [The “Customer Processing Reports Menu” 

 as created in the earlier versions of ALIS/ACRES is no longer available.]

2. ADD/DELETE CUSTOMER FORM

a. Add Customers: Select Add/Delete Customer.

b. Check to see if the customer exists in ALIS/ACRES: When the Add/Delete Customer 

screen appears, the cursor will appear in the Customer ID Number field. Press F3 

(List of Values or LOV) to query the ALIS/ACRES to check if the customer exists in 

the database. 

(1) Name: Pressing LOV will bring the “Find Customer by Name” form. Type in 

the last name of the customer and the first initial of the first name followed by a 

percent sign (%) with no space between the first initial and the percent sign (%) 

(example: DOE J%). Press the F8 (Execute Query) key to execute the query. 

This will bring forward all customers with the same last name and the same first 

initial. You may find many or a few customers with the same name. At times, 

there will be duplicate customers with a slight variation of how the name was 

entered. For example, a customer with the first name of William may have been 

entered as William or Bill or William with a middle initial. When you find 

these duplications, they need to be corrected. Contact the public room 

personnel to make the necessary corrections by merging the customer numbers. 

(2) Address: Using the escape and number 4 keys (press the escape key and then

the number 4 key), you can check the address of the customer.

(3) Customer Exists: If the customer is already in the database, you do not need to 

proceed any further with this form. Use Control+Q (Exit/Cancel) to exit the 

form and go to Case Processing to associate the customer to a case.

c. Creating a New Customer: If the customer does not already exist in the database, 

you must create the customer in ALIS/ACRES. Use Control+Q to exit out of the
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Find Customer by Name form if you have not done so already. 

(1) Code: Enter or tab to the Code field. This field identifies the customer as an 

Agency, a Corporation, or a Private individual. Agency –all agencies whether 

Federal, state, county, municipal, city, town, etc. Corporation - (businesses) 

includes partnerships, unincorporated groups, Doing Business As (DBA), 

churches, schools, native corporations, family or partnership trusts, etc. Private 

includes all persons and individual trusts. If customer code selected is either 

“A” or “C”, there will be two lines for the name. If the customer code selected 

is “P”, there is only one line. After the customer code is selected, proceed to the 

“Name Line 1” field.

(2) Name: Enter the name using the Customer Name standards, refer to IB No. AK 

96-036, dated January 25, 1996.

(3) Address: After entering the name, proceed to the Address Line 1 field. Enter 

the address using the address standards in IB No. AK 96-036, dated January 25, 

1996. After entering the address, at the ZIP code field, press F10 (Commit) to 

save the data. ALIS/ACRES will assign the NEXT AVAILABLE customer 

number.

(4) Additional names and addresses: If you need to add more names or addresses 

for the customer, proceed to the Maintain Customer File form.

d. Delete Customers: If the customer is no longer linked to any cases, the customer 

name can be deleted from the database. The ALIS/ACRES will not allow any 

deletions as long as a customer is still linked to any case.

(1) Open the form: To delete a customer, use the Add/Delete Customer Form.

(2) Enter customer ID: Enter the customer number in the customer number field 

to retrieve the customer that needs to be deleted.

(3) Delete Record: press Shift F6 (delete record). ALIS/ACRES will ask you if 

you are sure you wish to delete this customer from the database. Select yes to 

delete, select no if you decide the customer needs to remain in the database.

3. MAINTAIN CUSTOMER FILE FORM: This form is used to change an address for a 

customer, add additional names to the customer ID, or add additional addresses to the 
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customer ID.

a. Select Maintain Customer File from the menu. The form looks the same as the 

Add/Delete form but has a different function. Cursor will rest in the Customer ID 

field. If you know the customer number, enter it in the customer ID field and press 

enter or tab key to bring the customer information to the screen. If you do not know 

the customer number, use F3 (LOV) to query the database. This will bring the Find 

Customer by Name form to the screen. Find your customer by using the procedures 

listed in number 2 of the Add/Delete Customer procedures.

b. Changing an address: Either enter the customer number into the customer ID field 

or query the ALIS/ACRES for the customer. Use the tab or enter key to get to the 

Address Line 1. Make the changes in the address and press the commit key, F10.

c. Adding additional names: Use the tab or enter key to get to the Customer Name 

Line 1. Press the F6 key (Create Record) to create a new record. The ALIS/ACRES

will blank out the customer name lines and put the next available name number in the 

name number field. Add your new customer name and press the commit key, F10.

d. Adding additional addresses: Use the tab or enter key to get to the Customer 

Address Line 1. Press the F6 key (Create Record) to create a new record. The 

ALIS/ACRES will blank out the customer address lines and put the next available 

address number in the address number field. Add your new customer address and 

press the commit key, F10.

4. CASE PROCESSING MENU. To access the Maintain Case/Customer Association

form on the Case Processing Menu, choose the Single Case Processing Menu. You then 

enter the case serial number and press Enter to return the case information. When the 

correct case is displayed choose the menu item Maintain Case/Customer Association.

Maintain Case/Customer Association. You may use the Maintain Case/Customer 

Association form to add or delete customers from a case. You may also use this form 

to access the Add/Delete Customer form to add customers to the database.

This is the process to add customers to a specific case from the database by 

identifying the customer’s relationship to the case with the interest relationship field. 

As an example, the BLM main customer number (without creating a new customer 

number) could be linked to any number of cases, identifying the relationship of the 

BLM to the customer by the interest relationship field. Any customer in the database
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could be tied to a case in that manner. Also, you may have the same main customer 

number tied to a case using different name numbers or different address numbers.

5. ADD A NEW CUSTOMER TO A CASE

a. Open the form: To access the Maintain Case/Customer Association form in the 

Case Processing Menu, choose the Single Case Processing Menu. You then enter the 

case serial number and press Enter to return the case information. When the correct 

case is displayed choose the menu item Maintain Case/Customer Association.

b. Open the Add/Delete Customer Form: To add a customer to the database from this 

form, press control+shift+F3 (you may only do this function from the first Customer 

ID number field on the form). This will bring the Add/Delete Customer form to the 

screen. Add your new customer following the procedures stated 

above. Use Control+Q to exit the Add/Delete Customer form and the ALIS will 

bring you back to the Maintain Case/Customer Association form with the new 

customer entered and the cursor in the interest relationship field. 

c. Enter Customer’s Interest Relationship: Use the F3(LOV) key to query the 

interest relationship field if you do not know the number for the interest relationship 

you need to use. If using the F3 key, select the needed interest relationship and then 

press enter or tab key to bring you back to the Maintain Case/Customer Association 

form.

d. Commit: Press commit, F10 to add the customer to the case.

6. ADD AN EXISTING CUSTOMER TO A CASE

a. Open the form: To access the Maintain Case/Customer Association form in the 

Case Processing Menu, choose the Single Case Processing Menu. You then enter 

the case serial number and press Enter to return the case information. When the 

correct case is displayed choose the menu item Maintain Case/Customer 

Association.

b. Enter customer ID: Press F6 to create record. The cursor will move to next 

customer ID field. If you know the customer number, enter it and press the tab or 

enter key.

c. Query for customer ID: If you do not know the customer number, use the F3 
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(LOV) to bring the Find Customer Name form to the screen. Enter your name 

query, move the cursor to the name you need, and press the tab or enter key. This 

will bring the customer number back to the Maintain Case/Customer Association

form. 

d. Enter Customer’s Interest Relationship: Cursor will move to the interest 

relationship field. Enter interest relationship. 

e. Choose the Customer Name: Tab or enter to name number field and put in the 

name number...001 or if you have more than one name to the customer you may 

select another name number (use the up/down arrows to see additional names). 

f. Choose the Customer’s Address: Tab or enter to the address field and enter 001 

or select another address number (use the up/down arrows to see additional 

addresses). 

g. Commit: After entering all of the data for your new case customer, press the 

commit key, F10.

7. REMOVE A CUSTOMER FROM A CASE

a. Open the form: To access the Maintain Case/Customer Association form in the 

Case Processing Menu, choose the Single Case Processing Menu. You then enter 

the case serial number and press Enter to return the case information. When the 

correct case is displayed choose the menu item Maintain Case/Customer 

Association.

b. Enter customer ID: Move cursor to the customer number field of the customer 

you wish to remove from the case.

c. Delete record: Press the Shift F6 (delete record) key. This will remove the 

customer from the case. You do not need to use the commit key. NOTE: You 

may NOT delete the last customer from the case. If you need to remove the last 

customer and add another, you must first add the new customer to the case before 

you can remove the only existing customer on the case.

8. ADD CUSTOMER TO RANGE OF CASES. This form is mainly used for mining 

claims where there is a lead serial number for one claim and other serial numbers for 

multiple claims. NOTE: All of the cases have to be the same case type and status.
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a. Open the form: To access the Add Case/Customer Association to Block of Cases

form, use the Multiple Case Processing Menu.

b. Land Office: Enter the Land Office designation (AA or FF).

c. Range of Serial Numbers: Enter the range (block) of consecutive serial numbers.

d. Add Existing Customers: Add customers following the Maintain Case/Customer 

Association procedures above.

e. Add new customer: To add new customers to the database using the Add

Case/Customer Association to Block of Cases, follow steps 2, 3, and 4 under the 

ADD NEW CUSTOMER TO A CASE listed above.

D. LR2000 Customer Processing Procedures

Customer Maintainers: A Customer Maintainer is a state designated lead who is responsible for 

making certain names entered into the Customer Data Base are in accordance with established 

guidelines and data standards. The Customer Maintainer is responsible for determining who in 

their state will have permission to enter names into the Customer Data Base.

Prior to entering a new claimant name and/or address, check to see if the claimant is already 

listed in the customer database. Remember each change in input will create a new identity, i.e., 

Betty Jean Jones vs Betty J Jones or Betty Jones. Each claimant should have only one name and 

address listed in the LR2000 customer database for active claims. The exception is for a 

company with locations in multiple cities. If a claimant has a separate address for a summer and 

a winter home, they are responsible for making certain the correct address is on record depending 

on where they are residing at the time. It is not the adjudicator’s responsibility to try to 

determine where the claimant is living at the time. For historic reasons addresses on closed 

claims should not be changed.

NOTE: Data entry into LR2000 can be done in lower case letters as LR2000 converts data to 

capital letters. 

The following instructions are the written instructions for entering new customers or changing 

information for existing customers. Step-by-step instructions with graphics are also available in 

the Mining Claim Transaction Processing User Guide found at the LR2000 internal website 

homepage at http://lr2000.blm.gov/. 
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http://web.blm.gov/elearning/Common_Files/SUGs/LR2000/MCR/LR2000_MC_TPSUG.pdf

1. ENTERING NEW CUSTOMERS

a. To determine if a new customer name needs to be added in LR2000, select 

View/Update under Customer Name.

b. Select MC from the pull-down menu for System ID.

c. Type either the last name of an individual or the first word of a company name in the 

Name box.

d. Click the Lookup button.

e. In the pick list, scroll through the list of customers to determine if there is a claimant 

with the same name and address as the customer you’re searching for.

f. If the customer exists, click the cancel button. You will be able to enter your new 

case into LR2000 without adding a new customer name. If the customer is not in the 

pick list, you will need to make a new entry for the customer before adding your case 

into LR2000.

g. To enter a new name, select New under Customer Name.

h. Select MC from the pull-down menu for System ID.

i. Enter claimant’s name in the Proprietor Section. Names for individuals should 

always be entered as: Last, First, Middle Initial, without punctuation between names. 

Titles such as SR, JR and III should be used and will always be added to the end of 

the entry. For instance, John Black, Jr., will be entered as BLACK JOHN JR. 

Company names are entered as shown on the document. With a few exceptions, the 

first word of the name should not be abbreviated.

j. Select the appropriate Category for your customer. The category identifies the 

customer as an Agency, a Corporation, or a Private individual. Agency –all agencies 

whether Federal, state, county, municipal, city, town, etc. Corporation - (businesses) 

includes partnerships, unincorporated groups, Doing Business As (DBA), churches, 

schools, native corporations, family or partnership trusts, etc. Private includes all 

persons and individual trusts.

k. Enter the claimant’s Address, City, State, and Zip code.

l. Click the SAVE button.

m. If your address does not validate through Data Flux (a warning message will appear), 

recheck the address to make certain you are entering it correctly. DO NOT use 

abbreviations in the address line as Data Flux will automatically convert any part of 

the address that should be abbreviated. If you have entered the address just as it is on 

the document, then you should attempt to figure out why the address is not validating.

n. If the address does not validate, do not attempt to make any corrections in this screen. 

Doing so will cause another entry to be made in the Customer Data Base. If you need 

to make a correction after you have already clicked Save, then make the correction in 
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the View/Update screen.

o. To research why your address may not be validating, these websites may be useful in 

determining a correct address:

(1) http://www.usps.com: This site can be used to check the street address to see if 

it’s a valid mailing address. You can also check city names in a zip 

(2) www.whitepages.com: This site can be used to look for the claimant’s address by 

the claimant name. You can also do a reverse lookup by checking the address 

itself. If the claimant is not listed in the telephone directory, then they may not 

appear at this site.

(3) www.melissadata.com/lookups/zipstreet.asp: This site has many lookup features. 

This particular link is used to check street names by zip code. Many times, an 

agent may fill out paperwork and will not spell a street name correctly and you 

can find the correct spelling at this site. Also, you can check to see if the actual 

street number exists for that street. 

(4) www.google.com: When all else fails, sometimes you can “Google” (lookup) a 

street address to see if it even exists. If it does, sometimes the reason it will not 

validate through Data Flux is because it is not an established mailing address. 

You can also Google a company name and then check the company’s website to 

make certain you have their correct mailing address.

NOTE: The above are used as tools to help find correct addresses. Never change 

an address solely on what you may find at one of these sites, unless it is just to 

correct the spelling of a street name. Always document the case file with your 

findings when correcting an address without having anything in writing. You can 

also print out copies from the sites to document the case file to show where you 

found the data.

2. CHANGING CUSTOMER NAME and/or ADDRESS. If you have edit privileges to 

make an address change in LR2000, you can make the change by following these steps. 

If you do not have privileges to edit a name or address, then you will need to email your 

state’s Customer Maintainer(s) and provide them with your claimant’s address 

information update. 

a. In LR2000, select View/Update under Customer Name.

b. Select MC from the pull-down menu for System ID.

c. Type either the last name of an individual or the first word of a company name in the 

Name box.

d. Click the Lookup button.
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e. In the pick list, scroll through the list of customers to locate the customer name to be 

updated. Highlight the customer name by clicking on the name once.

f. Click Select.

g. Enter the customer’s updated information by typing over the existing information. Be 

sure to use the USPS address standards found in Chapter VI of this handbook.

h. When all the updated information has been entered, click Save.

i. If the address does not validate against Data Flux, follow the steps in A.15. above to 

try to determine why.

3. COMBINING CUSTOMER ENTRIES USING THE RENUMBER FEATURE

a. In LR2000, select the View/Update button under Customer Name.

b. Select MC from the pull-down menu for System ID.

c. Type either the last name of an individual or the first word of a company name in the 

Name box.

d. Click the Lookup button.

e. Scroll through the list of customers to determine if there are multiple entries with the 

same address for one customer that can be combined into one entry. 

f. Select the first entry that can be combined into another customer. Highlight the 

customer name and address by clicking once on the name.

g. Click Select.

h. The customer information will appear in the left-hand side of the update screen.

i. On the right-hand side of the update screen, in the first blank line, follow step 3 

above.

j. Click the Lookup button.

k. Again, scroll through the pick list until you see the name and address of the customer 

that the first customer will be combined with. Highlight the entry and click the Select 

button. Make certain this is the customer you want to remain in the customer 

database after the two entries are combined.

l. After selecting this customer, the full name and address will appear on the right-hand 

side of the update screen. Check once again to make certain you want to combine the 

name and address on the left-hand side to the name and address on the right-hand 

side. After the entries are combined, all claims previously listed under the claimant 

name and address on the right-hand side will be listed under the claimant name and 

address on the left-hand side. 

m. In the toolbar listed below both entries, click the Renumber button. A message at the 

bottom of the screen will appear indicating that the first Customer Proprietor Number 

changed to the second Customer Proprietor Number.
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4. DELETING A CUSTOMER

a. In LR2000, select the View/Update button under Customer Name.

b. Select MC from the pull-down menu for System ID.

c. Type either the last name of an individual or the first word of a company name in the 

Name box.

d. Click the Lookup button.

e. Scroll through the pick list and locate the customer to be deleted and highlight that 

customer by clicking on the entry once.

f. Click Select.

g. The customer data will appear on the left-hand side of the screen. Verify this is the 

correct customer to be deleted.

h. Click Delete in the toolbar at the bottom of the screen. NOTE: There is a safety 

feature that will not let you delete a customer if the customer is attached to a case, 

regardless of the case disposition. As long as the customer appears in LR2000 as a 

customer on any case, LR2000 will not allow the customer entry to be deleted.

i. If you receive a warning message that the customer cannot be deleted as long as the 

name is attached to any cases, then you should try to determine why you were 

instructed to delete that customer or if you know the customer should be deleted, why 

the customer name is still attached to cases in LR2000.

5. MINING CLAIMS NAME/ADDRESS CHANGE SCREEN

When a claimant changes their name and/or address, the change should be made only for those 

claims or sites that are active. Closed claims should remain with the old claimant name and 

address to maintain the integrity of the case at the time of closure. The following process is used 

to change a claimant name or address only on active claims. LR2000 Mining Claim users will 

need to request permission to have access to this screen if they do not already have access. It is 

suggested that users that have the Mining Claim Customer update permission get permission to 

this screen.

The ‘new’ name and/or address will need to be added to the Mining Claim customer database 

before the change can be made on this screen. Before adding a new entry, however, you should 

first verify if the claimant has both active and closed claims and sites. If the claimant only has 

active claims or sites, you do not need to make a new entry in the name data base and will simply 

change the address or name as appropriate on the existing entry. You can still use this function 

to update all the active cases with the action for either a name or address change. If the claimant 

has both active and closed claims or sites, add the new name and/or address to the MC Customer 

through the “New” Customer Name screen. 
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Once that is completed, access the ‘Name/Addr Chg’ function under Mining Claims in the left 

hand column. Type the ‘Old/Changed’ customer name or partial name in the name field and 

click ‘Lookup’.

Select/highlight the ‘Old’ Customer name/address from the pick list and click ‘Select’.

The following screen will appear. Verify that the customer presented is the ‘Old’ customer name 

and/or address or Customer ID. 
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Type the ‘new’ or partial customer name in the field next to the new “Change To” field and click 

Lookup. 

The next screen will appear with the ‘new’ customer information and an Update Type field. 

Verify that this is the new customer name and/or address. 
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Highlight the action you need: Address Change, Name Change or Both. 

Once you select the action to be performed, another portion of the screen will be displayed. Add 

in the Action Date and any Action Remarks for the respective action code(s). Then select to 

change the ‘Active’ claims only to the new Name and/or Address.

Once you click ‘Update’ you will be prompted to verify that the active cases with the old cust_id 

will be changed overnight (to the new cust_id).

When you click ‘OK’ you will get the following message.
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E. Stock Raising Homestead Act of 1916
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F. 43 US Code Sec. 299. Reservation of Coal and Mineral Rights

(a) General provisions. All entries made and patents issued under the provisions of this 

subchapter shall be subject to and contain a reservation to the United States of all the coal 

and other minerals in the lands so entered and patented, together with the right to 

prospect for, mine, and remove the same. The coal and other mineral deposits in such 

lands shall be subject to disposal by the United States in accordance with the provisions 

of the coal and mineral land laws in force at the time of such disposal. Any person 

qualified to locate and enter the coal or other mineral deposits, or having the right to mine 

and remove the same under the laws of the United States, shall have the right at all times 

to enter upon the lands entered or patented, as provided by this subchapter, for the 

purpose of prospecting for coal or other mineral therein, provided he shall not injure, 

damage, or destroy the permanent improvements of the entryman or patentee, and shall 

be liable to and shall compensate the entryman or patentee for all damages to the crops on 

such lands by reason of such prospecting. Any person who has acquired from the United 

States the coal or other mineral deposits in any such land, or the right to mine and remove 

the same, may reenter and occupy so much of the surface thereof as may be required for 

all purposes reasonably incident to the mining or removal of the coal or other minerals, 

first, upon securing the written consent or waiver of the homestead entryman or patentee; 

second, upon payment of the damages to crops or other tangible improvements to the 

owner thereof, where agreement may be had as to the amount thereof; or, third, in lieu of 

either of the foregoing provisions, upon the execution of a good and sufficient bond or 

undertaking to the United States for the use and benefit of the entryman or owner of the 

land, to secure the payment of such damages to the crops or tangible improvements of the 

entryman or owner, as may be determined and fixed in an action brought upon the bond 

or undertaking in a court of competent jurisdiction against the principal and sureties 

thereon, such bond or undertaking to be in form and in accordance with rules and 

regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior and to be filed with and approved 

by the officer designated by the Secretary of the Interior of the local land office of the 

district wherein the land is situate, subject to appeal to the Secretary of the Interior or 

such officer as he may designate: Provided, That all patents issued for the coal or other 

mineral deposits herein reserved shall contain appropriate notations declaring them to be 

subject to the provisions of this subchapter with reference to the disposition, occupancy, 

and use of the land as permitted to an entryman under this subchapter. 

(a) Exploration; location of mining claims; notices

(1) In general 
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(A) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section and any other provision of 

law to the contrary, after the effective date of this subsection no person other 

than the surface owner may enter lands subject to this subchapter to explore 

for, or to locate, a mining claim on such lands without –

(i) filing a notice of intention to locate a mining claim pursuant to 

paragraph (2); and 

(ii) providing notice to the surface owner pursuant to paragraph (3)

(B) Any person who has complied with the requirements referred to in 

subparagraph (A) may, during the authorized exploration period, in order to 

locate a mining claim, enter lands subject to this subchapter to undertake 

mineral activities related to exploration that cause no more than a minimal 

disturbance of surface resources and do not involve the use of mechanized 

earthmoving equipment, explosives, the construction of roads, drill pads, or 

the use of toxic or hazardous materials.

(C) The authorized exploration period referred to in subparagraph (B) shall 

begin 30 days after notice is provided under paragraph (3) with respect to 

lands subject to such notice and shall end with the expiration of the 90-day 

period referred to in paragraph (2)(A) or any extension provided under 

paragraph (2). 

(2) Notice of intention to locate a mining claim 

Any person seeking to locate a mining claim on lands subject to this subchapter in 

order to engage in the mineral activities relating to exploration referred to under 

paragraph (1)(B) shall file with the Secretary of the Interior a notice of intention 

to locate a claim on the lands concerned. The notice shall be in such form as the 

Secretary shall prescribe. The notice shall contain the name and mailing address 

of the person filing the notice and a legal description of the lands to which the 

notice applies. The legal description shall be based on the public land survey or 

on such other description as is sufficient to permit the Secretary to record the 

notice on the land status records of the Secretary. Whenever any person has filed 

a notice under this paragraph with respect to any lands, during the 90-day period 

following the date of such filing, or any extension thereof pursuant to this 

paragraph, no other person (including the surface owner) may –

(A) file such a notice with respect to any portions of such lands; 

(B) explore for minerals or locate a mining claim on any portion of such lands; 

or 

(C) file an application to acquire any interest in any portion of such lands 

pursuant to section 1719 of this title. If, within such 90-day period, the 
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person who filed a notice under this paragraph files a plan of operations with 

the Secretary pursuant to subsection (f) of this section, such 90-day period 

shall be extended until the approval or disapproval of the plan by the 

Secretary pursuant to subsection (f) of this section. 

(3) Notice to surface owner 

Any person who has filed a notice of intention to locate a mining claim under 

paragraph (2) for any lands subject to this subchapter shall provide written notice 

of such filing, by registered or certified mail with return receipt, to the surface 

owner (as evidenced by local tax records) of the lands covered by the notice under 

paragraph (2). The notice shall be provided at least 30 days before entering such 

lands and shall contain each of the following: 

(A) A brief description of the proposed mineral activities. 

(B) A map and legal description of the lands to be subject to mineral 

exploration. 

(C) The name, address and telephone number of the person managing such 

activities. 

(D) A statement of the dates on which such activities will take place.

(4) Acreage limitations 

The total acreage covered at any time by notices of intention to locate a mining 

claim under paragraph (2) filed by any person and by affiliates of such person 

may not exceed 6,400 acres of lands subject to this subchapter in any one State 

and 1,280 acres of such lands for a single surface owner. For purposes of this 

paragraph, the term “affiliate” means, with respect to any person, any other 

person which controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, such 

person. 

(b) Consent 

Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section and any other provision of law, after the 

effective date of this subsection no person may engage in the conduct of mineral 

activities (other than those relating to exploration referred to in subsection (b)(1)B) (!1) 

of this section) on a mining claim located on lands subject to this subchapter without the 

written consent of the surface owner thereof unless the Secretary has authorized the 

conduct of such activities under subsection (d) of this section. 

(c) Authorized mineral activities 
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The Secretary shall authorize a person to conduct mineral activities (other than those 

relating to exploration referred to in subsection (b)(1)(B) of this section) on lands subject 

to this subchapter without the consent of the surface owner thereof if such person 

complies with the requirements of subsections (e) and (f) of this section.

(d) Bond 

(1) Before the Secretary may authorize any person to conduct mineral activities the 

Secretary shall require such person to post a bond or other financial guarantee in 

an amount to ensure the completion of reclamation pursuant to this subchapter. 

Such bond or other financial guarantee shall ensure –

(A) payment to the surface owner, after the completion of such mineral activities 

and reclamation, compensation for any permanent damages to crops and 

tangible improvements of the surface owner that resulted from mineral 

activities; and 

(B) payment to the surface owner of compensation for any permanent loss of 

income of the surface owner due to loss or impairment of grazing, or other 

uses of the land by the surface owner to the extent that reclamation required 

by the plan of operations would not permit such uses to continue at the level 

existing prior to the commencement of mineral activities.

(2) In determining the bond amount to cover permanent loss of income under 

paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall consider, where appropriate, the potential 

loss of value due to the estimated permanent reduction in utilization of the land.

(e) Plan of operations

(1) Before the Secretary may authorize any person to conduct mineral activities on 

lands subject to this subchapter, the Secretary shall require such person to submit 

a plan of operations. Such plan shall include procedures for –

(A) the minimization of damages to crops and tangible improvements of the 

surface owner;

(B) the minimization of disruption to grazing or other uses of the land by the 

surface owner; and

(C) payment of a fee for the use of surface during mineral activities equivalent 

to the loss of income to the ranch operation as established pursuant to 

subsection (g) of this section. 

(2) The Secretary shall provide a copy of the proposed plan of operations to the 

surface owner at least 45 days prior to the date the Secretary makes a 

determination as to whether such plan complies with the requirements of this 
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subsection. During such 45-day period the surface owner may submit comments 

and recommend modifications to the proposed plan of operations to the Secretary.

(3) (A) The Secretary shall, within 60 days of receipt of the plan, approve the plan of 

operations if it complies with the requirements of this subchapter, including each 

of the following: 

(i) The proposed plan of operations is complete and accurate. 

(ii) The person submitting the proposed plan of operations has 

demonstrated that all other applicable Federal and State 

requirements have been met.

(B) The Secretary shall notify the person submitting a plan of operations of any 

modifications to such plan required to bring it into compliance with the 

requirements of this subchapter. If the person submitting the plan agrees to 

modify such plan in a manner acceptable to the Secretary, the Secretary 

shall approve the plan as modified. In the event no agreement can be 

reached on the modifications to the plan which, in the opinion of the 

Secretary, will bring such plan into compliance with the requirements of this 

subchapter, then the Secretary shall disapprove the plan and notify both the 

surface owner and the person submitting the plan of the decision.

(C) The 60-day period referred to in subparagraph (A) may be extended by the 

Secretary where additional time is required to comply with other applicable 

requirements of law.

(D) The Secretary shall suspend or revoke a plan of operation whenever the 

Secretary determines, on the Secretary’s own motion or on a motion made 

by the surface owner, that the person conducting mineral activities is in 

substantial noncompliance with the terms and conditions of an approved 

plan of operations and has failed to remedy a violation after notice from the 

Secretary within the time required by the Secretary.

(4) Final approval of a plan of operations under this subsection shall be conditioned 

upon compliance with subsections (e) and (g) of this section. 

(f) Fee 

The fee referred to in subsection (f)(1) of this section shall be –

(1) paid to the surface owner by the person submitting the plan of operations; 

(2) paid in advance of any mineral activities or at such other time or times as may be 

agreed to by the surface owner and the person conducting such activities; and 

(3) established by the Secretary taking into account the acreage involved and the 

degree of potential disruption to existing surface uses during mineral activities 

(including the loss of income to the surface owner and such surface owner’s 
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operations due to the loss or impairment of existing surface uses for the duration 

of the mineral activities), except that such fee shall not exceed the fair market 

value for the surface of the land. 

(g) Reclamation 

Lands affected by mineral activities under a plan of operations approved pursuant to 

subsection (f)(3) of this section shall be reclaimed, to the maximum extent practicable, to 

a condition capable of supporting the uses to which such lands were capable of 

supporting prior to surface disturbance. Reclamation shall proceed as 

contemporaneously as practicable with the conduct of mineral activities. 

(h) State law 

(1) Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed as affecting any reclamation, 

bonding, inspection, enforcement, air or water quality standard or requirement of 

any State law or regulation which may be applicable to mineral activities on lands 

subject to this subchapter to the extent that such law or regulation is not 

inconsistent with this title.(!2) 

(2) Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed as affecting in any way the right of 

any person to enforce or protect, under applicable law, the interest of such person 

in water resources affected by mineral activities. 

(i) Inspections 

Should any surface owner of land subject to this subchapter have reason to believe that 

they are or may be adversely affected by mineral activities due to any violation of the 

terms and conditions of a plan of operations approved under subsection (f) of this section, 

such surface owner may request an inspection of such lands. The Secretary shall 

determine within 10 days of the receipt of the request whether the request states a reason 

to believe that a violation exists, except in the event the surface owner alleges and 

provides reason to believe that an imminent danger exists, the 10-day period shall be 

waived and the inspection conducted immediately. When an inspection is conducted 

under this paragraph, the Secretary shall notify the surface owner and such surface owner 

shall be allowed to accompany the inspector on the inspection. 

(j) Damages for failure to comply 

(1) Whenever the surface owner of any land subject to this subchapter has suffered 

any permanent damages to crops or tangible improvements of the surface owner, 
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or any permanent loss of income due to loss or impairment of grazing, or other 

uses of the land by the surface owner, if such damages or loss result from –

(A) any mineral activity undertaken without the consent of the surface owner 

under subsection (c) of this section or an authorization by the Secretary 

under subsection (d) of this section; or 

(B) the failure of the person conducting mineral activities to remedy to the 

satisfaction of the Secretary any substantial noncompliance with the terms 

and conditions of a plan under subsection (f) of this section; the surface 

owner may bring an action in the appropriate United States district court for, 

and the court may award, double damages plus costs for willful misconduct 

or gross negligence. 

(2) The surface owner of any land subject to this subchapter may also bring an action 

in the appropriate United States district court for double damages plus costs for 

willful misconduct or gross negligence against any person undertaking any 

mineral activities on lands subject to this subchapter in violation of any 

requirement of subsection (b) of this section. 

(3) Any double damages plus costs awarded by the court under this subsection shall 

be reduced by the amount of any compensation which the surface owner has 

received (or is eligible to receive) pursuant to the bond or financial guarantee 

required under subsection (e) of this section. 

(4) Payment of financial guarantee 

The surface owner of any land subject to this subchapter may petition the Secretary for 

payment of all or any portion of a bond or other financial guarantee required under 

subsection (e) of this section as compensation for any permanent damages to crops and 

tangible improvements of the surface owner, or any permanent loss of income due to loss 

or impairment of grazing, or other uses of the land by the surface owner. Pursuant to 

such a petition, the Secretary may use such bond or other guarantee to provide 

compensation to the surface owner for such damages and to insure the required 

reclamation. 

(k) Bond release 

The Secretary shall release the bond or other financial guarantee required under 

subsection (e) of this section upon the successful completion of all requirements pursuant 

to a plan of operations approved under subsection (f) of this section.

(l) Conveyance to surface owner 
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The Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary to simplify the procedures 

which must be complied with by surface owners of lands subject to this subchapter who 

apply to the Secretary to obtain title to interests in such lands owned by the United States.

(m)Definitions 

For the purposes of subsections (b) through (n) of this section –

(1) The term “mineral activities” means any activity for, related to or incidental to 

mineral exploration, mining, and beneficiation activities for any locatable mineral 

on a mining claim. When used with respect to this term –

(A) the term “exploration” means those techniques employed to locate the 

presence of a locatable mineral deposit and to establish its nature, position, 

size, shape, grade and value; 

(B) the term “mining” means the processes employed for the extraction of a 

locatable mineral from the earth; and 

(C) the term “beneficiation” means the crushing and grinding of locatable 

mineral ore and such processes are employed to free the mineral from the 

other constituents, including but not necessarily limited to, physical and 

chemical separation techniques. 

(2) The term “mining claim” means a claim located under the general mining laws of 

the United States (which generally comprise 30 U.S.C. § chapters 2, 12A, and 16, 

and sections 161 and 162) subject to the terms and conditions of subsections (b) 

through (p) of this section. 

(3) The term “tangible improvements” includes agricultural, residential and 

commercial improvements, including improvements made by residential 

subdividers. 

(n) Minerals covered 

Subsections (b) through (o) of this section apply only to minerals not subject to 

disposition under –

(1) the Mineral Leasing Act (30 U.S.C. § 181 and following); 

(2) the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 [30 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq.]; or 

(3) the Act of July 31, 1947, commonly known as the Materials Act of 1947 (30 

U.S.C. § 601 and following). 

References In Text 

The effective date of this subsection, referred to in subsecs. (b)(1)(A) and (c), is the date 180 
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days after Apr. 16, 1993. This title, referred to in subsec. (i)(1), is unidentifiable because act Dec. 

29, 1916, does not contain titles.

The Mineral Leasing Act, referred to in subsec. (p)(1), is act Feb. 25, 1920, ch. 85, 41 Stat. 437, 

as amended, which is classified generally to chapter 3A (Sec. 181 et seq.) of Title 30, Mineral 

Lands and Mining.

For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 181 

of Title 30 and Tables.

The Geothermal Steam Act of 1970, referred to in subsec. (p)(2), is Pub. L. 91-581, Dec. 24, 

1970, 84 Stat. 1566, as amended, which is classified principally to chapter 23 (Sec. 1001 et seq.) 

of Title 30. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under 

section 1001 of Title 30 and Tables.

The Materials Act of 1947, referred to in subsec. (p)(3), is act July 31, 1947, ch. 406, 61 Stat. 

681, as amended, which is classified generally to subchapter I (Sec. 601 et seq.) of chapter 15 of 

Title 30. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under 

section 601 of Title 30 and Tables. 

Amendments

1993 - Pub. L. 103-23 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and added 

subsecs. (b) to (p). 

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1993 AMENDMENT

Section 1(c) of Pub. L. 103-23 provided that: “The amendments made by this Act [amending this 

section] shall take effect 180 days after the date of enactment [Apr. 16, 1993].” REGULATIONS 

Section 1(d) of Pub. L. 103-23 provided that: “The Secretary of the Interior shall issue final 

regulations to implement the amendments made by this Act [amending this section] not later than 

the effective date of this Act [see Effective Date of 1993 Amendment note above]. Failure to 

promulgate these regulations by reason of any appeal or judicial review shall not delay the 

effective date as specified in paragraph (c).”

Transfer Of Functions 

For transfer of functions of other officers, employees, and agencies of Department of the Interior, 

with certain exceptions, to Secretary of the Interior, with power to delegate, see Reorg.
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Plan No. 3 of 1950, Secs. 1, 2, eff. May 24, 1950, 15 F.R. 3174, 64 Stat. 1262, set out under 

section 1451 of this title.

Words “officer designated by the Secretary of the Interior” substituted for “register” and 

“Secretary of the Interior or such officer as he may designate” substituted for “Commissioner of 

the General Land Office” on authority of section 403 of Reorg.

Plan No. 3 of 1946. See note set out under section 1 of this title.

Act Mar. 3, 1925, abolished office of surveyor general and transferred administration of all 

activities in charge of surveyors general to Field Surveying Service under jurisdiction of United 

States Supervisor of Surveys. 

Report To Congress On Foreign Mineral Interests 

Section 2 of Pub. L. 103-23 directed Secretary of the Interior to submit report to Congress within 

2 years after Apr. 16, 1993, on acquisition of mineral interests made after such date by foreign 

firms on lands subject to this section. 
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G. 43 CFR 3814 

Mineral reservation in entry and patent; mining and removal of reserved deposits; bonds. 

(a) Section 9 of the Act of December 29, 1916 (39 Stat. 864; 43 U.S.C. § 299), 

provides that all entries made and patents issued under its provisions shall contain a 

reservation to the United States of all coal and other minerals in the lands so entered and 

patented, together with the right to prospect for, mine, and remove the same; also that the 

coal and other mineral deposits in such lands shall be subject to disposal by the United 

States in accordance with the provisions of the coal and mineral land laws in force at the 

time of such disposal. 

(b) Said section 9 also provides that any person qualified to locate and enter the 

coal or other mineral deposits, or having the right to mine and remove the same under the 

laws of the United States, shall have the right at all times to enter upon the lands entered 

or patented under the Act, for the purpose of prospecting for the coal or other mineral 

therein, provided he shall not injure, damage, or destroy the permanent improvements of 

the entryman or patentee and shall be liable to and shall compensate the entryman or 

patentee for all damages to the crops on the land by reason of such prospecting. Under 

the Act of June 21, 1949 (30 U.S.C. § 54), a mineral entryman on a stock raising or other 

homestead entry or patent is also held liable for any damage that may be caused to the 

value of the land for grazing by such prospecting for, mining, or removal of minerals 

except that vested rights existing prior to June 21, 1949, are not impaired. 

(c) It is further provided in said section 9 that any person who has acquired from 

the United States the coal or other mineral deposits in any such land or the right to mine 

and remove the same, may reenter and occupy so much of the surface thereof as may be 

required for all purposes reasonably incident to the mining or removal of the coal, or 

other minerals, first, upon securing the written consent or waiver of the homestead 

entryman or patentee; or, second, upon payment of the damages to crops or other tangible 

improvements to the owner thereof under agreement; or, third, in lieu of either of the 

foregoing provisions, upon the execution of a good and sufficient bond or undertaking to 

the United States for the use and benefit of the entryman or owner of the land, to secure 

payment of such damages to the crops or tangible improvements of the entryman or 

owner as may be determined and fixed in an action brought upon the bond or undertaking 

in a court of competent jurisdiction against the principal and sureties thereon. This bond 

on Form 3814 must be executed by the person who has acquired from the United States 

the coal or other mineral deposits reserved, as directed in said section 9, as principal, with 

two competent individual sureties, or a bonding company which has complied with the 

requirements of the Act of August 13, 1894 (28 Stat. 279; 6 U.S.C. § 6-13), as amended 
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by the Act of March 23, 1910 (36 Stat. 241; 6 U.S.C. § 8, 9), and must be in the sum of 

not less than $1,000. Qualified corporate sureties are preferred and may be accepted as 

sole surety. Except in the case of a bond given by a qualified corporate surety there must 

be filed therewith affidavits of justification by the sureties and a certificate by a judge or 

clerk of a court of record, a United States district attorney, a United States commissioner, 

or a United States postmaster as to the identity, signatures, and financial competency of 

the sureties. Said bond, with accompanying papers, must be filed with the authorized 

officer of the proper office, and there must also be filed with such bond evidence of 

service of a copy of the bond upon the homestead entryman or owner of the land. 

(d) If at the expiration of 30 days after the receipt of the aforesaid copy of the 

bond by the entryman or owner of the land, no objections are made by such entryman or 

owner of the land and filed with the authorized officer against the approval of the bond 

by them, he may, if all else be regular, approve said bond. If, however, after receipt by 

the homestead entryman or owner of the lands of copy of the bond, such homestead 

entryman or owner of the land timely objects to the approval of the bond by said 

authorized officer, the said officer will immediately give consideration to said bond, 

accompanying papers, and objections filed as aforesaid to the approval of the bond, and 

if, in consequence of such consideration he shall find and conclude that the proffered 

bond ought not to be approved, he will render decision accordingly and give due notice 

thereof to the person proffering the bond, at the same time advising such person of his 

right of appeal to the Director of the Bureau of Land Management from the action in 

disapproving the bond so filed and proffered. If, however, the authorized officer, after 

full and complete examination and consideration of all the papers filed, is of the opinion 

that the proffered bond is a good and sufficient one and that the objections interposed as 

provided herein against the approval thereof do not set forth sufficient reasons to justify 

him in refusing to approve said proffered bond, he will, in writing, duly notify the 

homestead entryman or owner of the land of his decision in this regard and allow such 

homestead entryman or owner of the land 30 days in which to appeal to the Director of 

the Bureau of Land Management. If appeal from the adverse decision of the authorized 

officer be not timely filed by the person proffering the bond, the authorized officer will 

indorse upon the bond “disapproved” and other appropriate notations, and close the case. 

If, on the other hand, the homestead entryman or owner of the lands fails to timely appeal 

from the decision of the authorized officer adverse to the contentions of said homestead 

entryman or owners of the lands, said authorized officer may, if all else be regular, 

approve the bond. 

(e) The coal and other mineral deposits in the lands entered or patented under the 

Act of December 29, 1916, will become subject to existing laws, as to purchase or lease, 

at any time after allowance of the homestead entry unless the lands or the coal or other 

mineral deposits are, at the time of said allowance, withdrawn or reserved from 
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disposition. 

[35 FR 9743, June 13, 1970, as amended at 41 FR 29122, July 15, 1976] 
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H. Public Law 103-23 Stock Raising Homestead Act Amendment April 16, 1993
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I.
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I. Case Recordation Data Standards for Contests– IM 91-375 

Government Contests (43 CFR 3872)

Record Number: Serial Number

Proprietor: Contestee(s)

Case Type: 392001 (BLM) or 392002 (FS)

Commodity Codes: 911 (all locatable minerals)

Interest Relationship: 59 (Contestee)

DATE A/C REMARKS

Enter date case is established 387 CASE ESTABLISHED

Enter date report is approved 013 MINERAL REPORT APPROVED. Enter date 

mineral report is signed by certified review 

mineral examiner.

Enter date case is established 265 SUBJECT TO PL 359

Enter date complaint is issued 180 CONTEST FILED OR ISSUED

Enter date complaint is answered 178 CONTEST COMPLT ANSWERED

Enter date complaint is dismissed 179 CONTEST COMPLT DISMISSED

Enter date case is sent to ALJ 161 CONTEST SENT ADM LAW JDG

Enter date hearing is requested 389 HEARING REQUESTED

Enter date hearing is set by ALJ 223 HEARING ORDERED. Enter place in 

action remarks.

Enter date hearing is held 222 HEARING HELD

**When case file is returned from the Office of Hearings and Appeals, continue processing as 

appropriate. Action codes which may be included:

Enter date decision is issued 239 DECLARED NULL AND VOID

Enter date decision is vacated 188 DECISION VACATED

Enter date case is closed 970 CASE CLOSED
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J. BLM Payment Portal Internal User Guide
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BLM PAYMENT PORTAL FOR MINING CLAIMS

1.1 Background

Annual maintenance fees for existing mining claims and sites in all states except Alaska may be paid 

through the BLM Payment Portal at www.blm.gov/payportal/home.html. This site is available 24 hours 

a day. The BLM payment portal provides the ability to query eligible mining claims and sites for 

payment through an interface with the Legacy Rehost (LR2000) public reporting data base; select claims 

and sites to be paid; and then transfer to Pay.gov for payment of the maintenance fees for the selected 

claims and sites. At this time, only credit card payments are accepted and treasury limits apply. Once 

payments are paid to BLM by the bank, a Collection and Billings System (CBS) transaction and receipt 

will automatically be created. LR2000 will then automatically create the applicable action code (AC) to 

record the payment and export the data to CBS to earn the money. Creation of the applicable AC in 

LR2000 will happen immediately after the nightly incremental process.

A complete user guide is available for the payment portal and can be accessed by clicking “Help” from 

the Search screen.

2 Claims Available for Payment:

Only active mining claims and sites where the last assessment year in LR2000 is current will be available 

for payment. For example, to make a payment for the 2015 assessment year, claims and sites must be 

current through the 2014 assessment year. Once a case has been paid through the payment portal, a
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flag is set preventing the claim or site from being selected again for payment. All payments for the 2015 

assessment year must be completed by midnight, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on September 2, 2014. At 

12:01 a.m. (EDT) on September 3, 2014, only claims or sites where the last assessment year is 2015 will 

be available for payment.

2.1.1 Missing Claims on Payment Portal

If a claimant searches for a claim or site, and the claim or site does not appear in the results, the search 

criteria may need to be refined or the claim or site is not available to be paid. Some of the reasons the 

claim or site may not appear in the results are: (1) The claim or site may not be current in their annual 

requirements; (2) the case is closed; (3) the case is pending and complete data is not available; (4) the 

fee has already been paid for the current year; or (5) the last assessment year was not calculated 

properly for the last action. 

2.1.2 Payment Portal Instructions

Instructions for using the BLM payment portal can be found by clicking “Help” on the bottom right of the 

screen or by clicking on any red question mark on the search screen.

2.1.3 Help Desk Tickets 

A help desk ticket can be submitted by clicking “Contact Us” at the bottom of the mining claims search 

screen. Sonia Santillan, Kathryn Ferguson, and Donna Barron will all receive emails of Help Desk Tickets 

from the BLM Payment Portal.

2.1.4 Receipts From Pay.gov

Once the user makes a successful payment at pay.gov, they will receive a receipt (shown below) from 

Pay.gov that shows an Agency Tracking Id. This id is a transaction id that is assigned when the user 

selects a case for payment on the payment portal. You will be able to query by that number if needed in 

the MC Maintenance Fees Paid through the BLM Pay Portal report.
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2.1.5 Payment Portal Transactions in LR2000

Once a user selects a claim or site for payment and clicks on the “Proceed to Pay” button, the user must 

then agree to the terms and conditions and click on the next “Proceed to Pay” button. Note: When 

clicking the Proceed to Pay button, the user will also be alerted that they must complete the full address 

field in Pay.gov when making their payment. If the user does not complete all the address fields, the 

payment will be rejected from CBS. Clicking the Proceed to Pay button will transfer the user to the 

Pay.gov site where a transaction is then created. All transactions made through the BLM payment 

portal will show in a payment portal order table in the LR2000 transaction data base within 

approximately one hour. Transactions that were cancelled from Pay.gov will also be inserted in the 

payment portal table. You can view the Daily Payment Portal Transaction in LR2000 from the 

transaction data base by going to the MC Pay Portal Report under Transaction Reports.
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Clicking on the “Run Report” button will default to payments made on the date you are running the 

report.

For all other queries, enter a date range and/or the Serial Number that received AC 392, and/or Serial 

Number, and/or Receipt Number.

All AC 682s that are populated in LR2000 for payments through the BLM Payment Portal will always 

show an insert user as PAYPORT.

If you open a case where a payment portal transaction is pending, you will receive a message as shown 

below:

3 CBS Transactions and Receipts

Once a payment portal transaction is paid to BLM by the bank, a receipt will be automatically created in 

CBS. All payment portal transactions in CBS will have a login id of MCFAUTO.
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3.1.1 Printing CBS Receipts for Pay Portal Transactions

To print CBS Receipts for transactions from the BLM Payment Portal: 

1. Click on Reprint Receipt function in CBS.

2. Enter a date range and login of MCFAUTO. (MCFAUTO must be in all caps)

Click Search.
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Click the Print icon for each transaction. (There is currently a ticket in process to allow the capability to 

select multiple receipts and/or all receipts for printing).

4 LR2000 Report for BLM Payment Portal Transactions

A new report named MC Maintenance Fees Paid through the BLM Pay Portal has been posted to 

production. This report is a live report and runs against the transaction data base. This report displays a 

list of claims paid by the receipt number.
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You must select an Admin State and either a CBS Receipt Number, CBS Receipt Range, Order Date, or an 

Agency Tracking Id (which is equal to the transaction id created on payment portal) The Agency 

Tracking Id is shown on the receipt the payer receives from pay.gov. 

The Report output is displayed below. There will be a separate page for each receipt so that a copy can 

be printed and placed in each lead file for a particular receipt. If the report output has more than one 

lead file number for a receipt, you will receive an output for each lead file. 
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K. IBLA Decision Index 

The following is a listing of some IBLA and judicial court decisions which may be 

referenced when writing Notices or Decisions. This only represents a small portion of 

Decisions which may be used for reference. Though these decisions may be used for 

reference, they should not be cited in the body of the Notice or Decision. Instead, cite 

to the applicable regulation.

Amendments

IBLA/Court Approved Reasons for Amendments:

The IBLA and the courts have supported the validity of amendments where there are defects in 

the location notice. Rasmussen Drilling, Inc. v. Kerr-McGee Nuclear Corp., 571 F.2d 1144, 

1156-57 (10th Cir 1978), cert. denied, 439 US 862 (1978) (original COL listed claims in wrong 

section, but rival claimants had actual knowledge of proper section); Nylund v. Ward, 187 P. 514, 

515-16 (Colo. 1919) (original COL did not tie the claim to any natural object); McEvoy v. 

Hyman, 25 F. 596, 599-600 (CCD Colo 1885) (defective COLs may be amended); Karen N. 

Owen, 176 IBLA 168 (2008) (COL had an error in the location date).

Amendment of COL re Ownership and Difference between Amendment and Relocation:

Coates-Lahusen, 69 IBLA 137 (1982): An amended location generally relates back to the 

original location; a mining claimant has the right to amend his location to correct various minor 

defects; an amended location is “made in furtherance of the original location and for the purpose 

of giving additional strength or territorial effect thereto, while a relocation is a new and 

independent location,” an amendment can be used to make a change in the record owners of a 

claim where such change is reflective of an existing fact.

Amendment Cannot Take in New Ground:

Lairy D. Brookshire et al., 56 IBLA 73 (1981): An amended location notice generally relates 

back to the date of the original location notice. A location notice cannot be considered an 

amended location, so as to relate back to a location which predates a withdrawal, where the 

location notice describes additional or new land not contained in the original location.
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Annual FLPMA Filings

Annual Filing Timely Made But for Wrong Year:

James L. Gleave, 112 IBLA 281 (1990): The Board noted that there is no statutory requirement 

that a mining claimant file proof of labor with respect to any specific assessment year. In fact, 

section 314 does not even mention the “assessment year.” “The failure to file a proof of labor 

for any specific assessment year is merely a curable defect of which a party must be given notice 

and an opportunity to correct before a claim can be declared abandoned and void.” Id.at 284.

Annual Filing Must Be Made During the Calendar Year that the Assessment Year Ends:

Red Top Mercury Mines, Inc., 96 IBLA 391 (1987): The claimant filed an affidavit of 

assessment work on December 10, 1980. The affidavit was intended to cover work 

accomplished in August and September 1980, and would be sufficient to cover the mining 

assessment year ending at noon on September 1, 1981, (the 1981 assessment year). The Board 

ruled “that filing a proof of labor on December 10, 1980, did not excuse Red Top from filing a 

proof of labor or notice of intention to hold the subject claims in the 1981 calendar year.” Id. at 

395. “The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Board decision and stated that the 

combined affidavit of annual labor filed by the plaintiff in 1980 for the 1980 and 1981 

assessment years does not satisfy the 1981 filing requirement. A filing each year is required.”

The IBLA's decision was affirmed in Red Top Mercury Mines, Inc. v. United States, 887 F.2d 

198 (9th Cir. 1989).

Regulatory Forfeiture of Mill Site Waived If BLM Fails to Notify Mill Site Owner of 

Defective NOI Filing or Failure to File NOI Before Later Annual Filing:

James J. Kohring, 89 IBLA 345 (1985): The BLM declared a mill site claim abandoned and 

void because the claimant failed to file a notice of intention to hold the mill site locations for 

1979. The claimant failed to respond to a decision issued July 5, 1983, requesting that the 1979 

notice be filed. By the time the BLM notified the claimant of the defective 1979 filing, the 

records show he had filed annual notices of intention to hold the mill sites in 1980, 1981, 1982 

and 1983. Because the interim annual filings had been made between the year during which no 

filing was made and the date of the BLM decision, the Board ruled in favor of the claimant, 

stating “where BLM fails to notify a mill site claimant to cure a defective filing prior to the time 

a subsequent annual filing is made, BLM has effectively waived the defective filing and may not 

declare a mill site claim abandoned and void based on absence of that document from the file.” 
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BLM May Issue Abandonment Decisions for Mining Claims Abandoned in Previous 

Assessment Years:

Donald E. Stewart, 104 IBLA 48, 50 (1988): The BLM is not estopped from declaring an 

unpatented mining claim abandoned and void for failure to make an annual filing even though 

the failure to file occurred several years earlier.

Annual Filing Rejected if Land No Longer Federal Land:

Charles Renfro, 96 IBLA 311, 314 (1987): If the land on which a claim is located is conveyed 

out of Federal ownership, the annual filing required by Section 314 of the Federal Land Policy 

and Management Act must be rejected when the land is no longer public land under the 

jurisdiction of the Department. 

Notice of Intent to Hold – Curable or Not:

David McCarty, 181 IBLA 224 (2011): If a notice of intent to hold must be filed on or before 

December 30 of any year following the calendar year in which the claim was located, the failure 

to file such notice of intent to hold shall be deemed conclusively to constitute an abandonment of 

the mining claim. 

Larry G. Andrus Jr., (on recon.), 169 IBLA 353 (2006): Claim was located on 8/24/04, and filed 

on 8/30/04; on 8/30/04, initial maintenance fee paid for 2004 Assessment year; on 8/30/04, 

waiver was filed for 2005 Assessment year; no NOI was filed by 12/30/04; IBLA found this a 

curable defect as the requirement for the NOI for the calendar year in which a mining claim is 

located was regulatory a requirement.

Decisions

BLM Should Request Board to Set Aside Decision and Remand if Original Basis Cannot 

Be Sustained:

Robert D. Thompson, 140 IBLA 70, 74 (1997): The BLM should request the Board to set aside a 

decision and remand to the BLM where the original basis of the BLM decision can no longer be 

sustained. The Board said at 74:
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In the future, we would hope that, when BLM discovers, after a notice of appeal has been 

filed, that the original basis of its decision cannot be sustained, it would request the Board to 

set aside that decision and return jurisdiction over the matter to the State Office, even in 

those situations in which the State Office believes that sufficient, independent grounds exist 

to reiterate the conclusions reached in its original decision.

Extension of Time to Cure Not Allowed:

Melvin Peterson, 180 IBLA 152 (2010): A defective Waiver Certification must be cured, or the 

appropriate maintenance fees paid, within 60 days of receipt of the BLM’s written notice of the 

defect, or the involved mining claims will be forfeit by operation of law. The timely cure of 

some, but not all, of the defects is ineffective to cure the Waiver Certification, and the claims are 

properly declared forfeited. The BLM is without authority to extend that statutory deadline.

Tim Dann, 181 IBLA 91 (2011): Pursuant to 43 CFR 3830.94(b), a claimant will have 30 days 

after receipt of written notification from the BLM in which to cure a defective certificate of 

location, or the involved mining claim will be forfeited by operation of law. The BLM is 

without authority to extend that regulatory deadline except through rulemaking. The relevant 

regulation states that “[i]f you have filed any defective document other than a defective fee 

waiver request, you must cure the defects within 30 days of receiving BLM’s notification of the 

defects” (43 CFR§ 3830.94(b) (emphasis added)). 

Constructive Service Rule – Address of Record:

David Robertson, 107 IBLA 114 (1989): Transmission of a document to a party’s last address of 

record by registered or certified mail, return-receipt requested, constitutes constructive service 

even though delivery was unsuccessful. In such a case, the date of service is the date the item is 

received back by BLM. Application of the constructive service rule is based on two 

assumptions: First that BLM’s decision was sent to appellant’s last address of record, and 

second, that the Postal Service properly performed its duties. With respect to the first 

assumption, upon return of an item as undeliverable, the BLM is required to check its files to 

verify that the address to which the item was sent was correct and to determine whether a new 

address has been provided since the date the notice or decision was sent. If a change of address 

is found, notice must be sent to the new address to perfect service. With respect to the second 

assumption, a party may defeat application of the constructive service rule by showing error in 

Postal Service procedure amounting to negligence in transmitting the decision. The BLM, 

having selected the Postal Service as its agent for the purpose of transmitting an official 

document, must bear the consequences of the failure of the Postal Service to make adequate

attempts at delivery.
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Definitions

Location:

Uinta Tunnel, Mining & Transp. Co. v. Ajax Gold Mining Co., 141 F. 563 (8th Cir. 1905): The 

term “location” is frequently used in a restricted sense to represent the posting of the location 

notice and marking the boundaries. However, in order to perfect the possessory right of the 

locator, a discovery of a valuable mineral deposit must be made within the limits of the claim, 

because a location is not possible without a discovery. The act of “location” includes the posting 

of the notice, recording where required and marking the claim boundaries. 

Mining Claim versus Location:

St. Louis Smelting Company v. Kemp, 104 U.S. 636 (1881). Although the terms “mining claim”

and “location” are sometimes used indiscriminately to indicate the same thing, there is a 

distinction. A “mining claim” refers to the appropriated land; whereas, a “location” refers to the 

act of appropriating the land. 

Related Parties:

Ridge Top Mining Co., 175 IBLA 198 (2008): Under 30 U.S.C. § 28f(d)(2)(B), a “related party” 

is a person who controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the claimant. The 

term control is defined as including “actual control, legal control, and the power to exercise 

control, through or by common directors, officers, stockholders . . . or any other means.” 

Appellants argued that under their LLC Agreement, no individual Member or Manager exercises 

independent authority because “all ordinary management decisions” of the company require a 

majority vote of Managers. However, the Board has held that a person who has the power to 

exercise control by any means may be considered a related party when BLM finds evidence that 

it determines to be adequate to support such a finding. A waiver that is filed by related parties is 

invalid and not subject to cure.

Failure to Pay Constitutes “Abandonment” Under Rental Fee Regulations and 

“Forfeiture” Under Maintenance Fee Regulations:

Great American Gold Co., 141 IBLA 170 (1997): The BLM erroneously declared claims 

“abandoned and void” for failure to pay the maintenance fee. Under the rental fee regulations, 

claims are declared abandoned for failure to pay the fee or file the small miners waiver; however, 

“under 43 CFR 3833.4(a)(2), the failure to pay the maintenance fee or file the waiver 

certification within the time prescribed does not constitute an abandonment of the claims; 
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instead, such a failure ‘shall be deemed conclusively to constitute a forfeiture’ of the claims.” Id.

at 172.

Discovery

One Discovery for Each Placer Location:

U.S. v. McCall, 7 IBLA 21 (1972): A single discovery of a valuable mineral deposit is sufficient 

to validate a placer location, whether it be of 20 acres by an individual, or of 160 acres or less by 

an association of persons. However, each 10-acre subdivision within the claim must be mineral 

in character.

Discovery Required Before Transfer of Association Placer Claim:

U.S. v. Harenburg, 9 IBLA 77, 86 (1973): Although it is permissible for an individual to acquire 

an association placer claim over 20 acres in size, it is essential that there were sufficient 

individuals to make the original location, and furthermore, that a discovery was made within the 

limits of the claim prior to the date of transfer. This is a case involving a contest; however, the 

IBLA was clear that a discovery must be made prior to the date of transfer or the individual may 

be required to reduce the acreage if requested to do so by the BLM.

Dummy Locator

Donald D. Hall, 95 IBLA 33 (1986): The Board considered a case where two claimants located 

a 40 acre placer claim. However, there was the possibility that the claim might have been 

located for the benefit of a corporation which would have the legal status of an individual. If “a 

locator has knowledge of a concealed interest and is a party to the use of dummy locators, the 

location is deemed fraudulent and is invalid in its entirety.” Id. at 35. Otherwise, it is simply 

void as to the excess.
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Maintenance Fees

Maintenance Fees While Case Pending Before IBLA: 

LeNore L. Baird, 142 IBLA 335 (1998): If the BLM issues a decision and the decision is NOT 

stayed while on appeal to IBLA, no maintenance fees are due nor can they be accepted. The 

IBLA cites to IM 98-01, which states that if BLM’s decision ends up being reversed and the 

claim(s) reinstated, the adjudicator should give claimant 30 days to pay the delinquent 

maintenance fees or file a small miner fee waiver request, if annual work was performed during 

the applicable timeframe.

Darrell Palmer, 156 IBLA 360 (2002): If BLM decision stayed while on appeal to IBLA, 

claimant must still comply with maintenance requirements while appeal is pending. Failure to 

timely pay the maintenance fee or file a qualifying small miner waiver will result in the forfeiture 

of the claim(s) and the appeal being declared moot.

Drilling Consultants, Inc., 177 IBLA 44 (2009): If claim is unidentified on maintenance fee 

document, so it has neither claim name nor serial number listed, the maintenance fees are not 

properly submitted and the claim is forfeit and void.

New Location

Bridge Claims:

Bear Creek Mining Co., 160 IBLA 308 (2004): If a newly located mining claim “bridges” the 

September 1 annual deadline, (i.e., located in one assessment year, but recorded in the 

subsequent assessment year), the claimant must file the initial maintenance fee at the same time 

as recording the claims (the initial maintenance fee may not be waived), and may either file the 

annual maintenance fee at the same time or may establish entitlement to a fee waiver for its 

claim and pay no fee. If the requisite filings are made with BLM within the 90-day filing period 

allowed for new claims, the claimant has complied. Where the claimant makes two filings, one 

for the initial maintenance fee and another presenting a maintenance fee payment for the current 

assessment year within the 90-day period, the claimant has complied. Note: This case dealt with 

the previous regulations when determining that the small miner waiver could be filed any time 

within the 90 days. The current regulations at 43 CFR 3835.14(a)(2) are clear that the waiver 

must be filed at the time of recording the new mining claim. 
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Lisa Tucker, 167 IBLA 82 (2005): Bridge claims, the claimant submitted insufficient funds to 

cover the location, service and initial maintenance fee for the location year, as well as the annual 

maintenance fee for the current assessment year. IBLA reaffirms rule in Bear Creek Mining that 

claimants have the full 90 days to submit annual maintenance fees, but recognizes that the 

regulations have changed with respect to when the waiver must be filed.

Location by Minors:

Thompson v. Spray, 14 P. 182 (Cal. 1887): Minors who are citizens may locate mining claims. 

Also, parents of minors may locate claims on behalf of their children. U.S. v. Haskins, 59 IBLA 

1, 88 (1981); West v. U.S., 30 F.2d 739 (D.C. Cir 1929).

Claims Must Be Owned in Part by U.S. Citizens:

J. Garth Woodworth, 78 IBLA 112 (1983): The BLM declared eight lode mining claims null 

and void because the owner, as recorded under Section 314 of the Federal Land Policy and 

Management Act, was not a United States citizen. On appeal, however, the appellant furnished 

documents that established that the claims were owned in part by United States citizens. On this 

basis, the Board reversed the BLM decision.

In J. Garth Woodworth, supra at 113, the Board also pointed out that the “appellant has the 

burden to demonstrate that these claims are owned, at least in part, by citizens of the United 

States.” In this case, the Board directed the appellant to furnish it with a list of the current 

owners of the claims and their current mailing addresses, to identify those owners who are 

United States citizens, and to supply evidence of or proof of citizenship. As required in 30 

U.S.C. 24 (1976), proof of citizenship may consist, in the case of an individual, of his own 

affidavit; in the case of an association of persons unincorporated, of the affidavit of their 

authorized agent, made on his own knowledge, or upon information and belief; and in the case of 

a corporation organized under the laws of the United States, or of any State or Territory, by the 

filing of a certified copy of their charter or certificate of incorporation. Note: It is not clear from 

the IBLA's decision why BLM took action against the mining claims. In general, the 

Department's position is that citizenship is relevant only as to location and patenting, and need 

not be determined at other times. See Hugh McCallum Woodworth, 72 I.D. 233 (1965).

North Noonday Mining Co. v. Orient Mining Co., 1 F. 522 (CCD Cal.1880): If a citizen and an 

alien jointly locate a claim not exceeding the area allowed by one locator, the location is valid 

as to the citizen and a conveyance from the two gives a valid title.
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More Than One Claim Included in Location Notice:

Waldron Enterprises Mining, 88 IBLA 54 (1985): BLM declared 13 placer mining claims 

abandoned and void for failure to meet the recordation requirements because the claimant had 

included all claims in one location notice. The IBLA found that the failure to file separate COLs 

for each claim rendered the COL “absolutely void” except as to the first claim on the COL. 

Because the COL was “absolutely void” under state law, it could not be said to have been 

properly recorded with the BLM.

Lands Embraced in Placer Claims Must Be Contiguous:

Robert J. Collins, 129 IBLA 341, 344 (1994): The Board held that lands embraced within an 

association placer claim must be contiguous. Where a claimant has separate tracts that are not 

contiguous, the claimant has the opportunity to select which tract will be preserved under the 

original claim.

Melvin Helit, 147 IBLA 45, 49 (1998): When a claim improperly contains noncontiguous 

parcels, “when the BLM is apprised of such a situation, the correct procedure is to notify the 

claimant of the problem and offer the claimant the opportunity to correctly identify that part of 

the claim which contains the discovery point and, should the claimant so desire and the land 

remain open to location, to relocate, as separate claims, the remaining noncontiguous parcels.” 

Where the claimant does not appeal the determination or re-describe the claim in conformity 

with the statute, it is proper to declare the claim null and void in its entirety.

Lands Embraced in Placer Claims – Must be Compact and Regular in Form

Snow Flake Fraction Placer, 37 L.D. 250 (1908) and George Kendall, et al., 184 IBLA 71 

(2013): Both decisions discuss the describing of placer mining claims and the requirement to 

keep all claims and sites compact and regular in form as reasonably possible and to conform to 

the U.S. Public Land Survey System. The Snow Flake decision discusses placer claims 

described by metes and bounds and the George Kendall decision discusses describing placer 

claims by aliquot part. 

BLM Acceptance of Notices Does Not Validate Otherwise Invalid Claims:

Boyard Tanner, 113 IBLA 387, 391 (1990): The fact that the BLM initially accepted copies of 

the certificates of location of the subject mining claims for recordation does not establish that the 

land was open to mineral entry on the date of location or, more importantly, preclude BLM from 

later declaring these claims null and void ab initio because the land was not then open. 
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Acceptance did not validate claims which were otherwise invalid at the time of their inception or 

preclude a subsequent finding that the land claimed was not open to entry. 

Computing the 90-Day Period:

FLPMA requires the owner of an unpatented mining claim located after October 21, 1976, to file 

a copy of the official record of the notice of location with the BLM within 90 days after the date 

of location. In Warren J. Fytem, 58 IBLA 381 (1981), the Board determined that in computing 

the 90-day period, the date of the location is not included but the last day of the period is 

included.

The 90-day period begins the day after the date of location. If the 90th day falls on a day when 

the office is closed to the public, consider the 90th day as the next day the office is open to the 

public. BLM Manual 3833.12A.

BLM Cannot Void Claim for Failure of Claimant to Submit Information Not Required by 

Regulations:

Add-Ventures, Ltd., 95 IBLA 44, 48 (1986): The BLM had required a claimant to submit a proof 

of chain of title and when the claimant failed to do so the claims were declared void. The Board 

held that because “neither the statute nor regulations require a mineral locator to submit evidence 

of title other than a location notice, BLM did not have authority to require appellant to submit 

documentation establishing a chain of title. Consequently, BLM could not have declared 

appellant's claims void either on the basis of the documents of title supplied or for failure to 

supply them.”

The BLM had mistakenly presumed that the regulation 43 CFR 3833.4(b) (1985) could be used 

as a basis to declare the claims null and void. This regulation provided that the BLM may 

determine a claim to be void if a claimant fails to file information requested to cure a deficiency. 

However, the “regulatory procedure for dealing with curable defects which allows a claim to be 

declared invalid for failure to file requested information applies only when the information 

sought by BLM is required by regulation. It does not apply to other information BLM believes 

might be useful to its administration of mining claim records. When BLM wishes to obtain such 

additional information, it should simply request that the mining claim owner provide it.” Id. at 

48. Note that the current regulations promulgated in 2003 no longer have the language relied 

upon in this case. The current regulations at 43 CFR 3833 are clear that BLM may only decision 

out claims for failure to meet regulatory or statutory requirements.
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New Location – Land Status

Map Showing Claim in Wrong Area Is Curable Defect:

The Carrow Co., 115 IBLA 102, 103 (1990): The claimant appealed from a BLM decision 

declaring a claim null and void ab initio because a legal description on a map showed the claim 

to be on state land. The description in the notice was by metes-and-bounds and the claim was 

tied to a ranch house. The Board held that where a map required by departmental regulation has 

not accurately depicted the situs of the claim, the defect is curable and the claimant may amend 

the location notice to correct an error in the legal description, so long as the claim as marked on 

the ground does not take in additional ground. Also see Outline Oil Corp., 95 IBLA 255, 259 

(1987).

Boundaries of Lode Claims May Be Extended Over Appropriated Land (Extralateral 

Rights): 

Seth M. Reilly, 112 IBLA 273 (1990): The Board discussed the well-established rule that the 

boundaries of a lode claim may be extended onto land not subject to location for the purpose of 

claiming unappropriated ground with its boundaries. Del Monte Mining Co. v. Last Chance 

Mining Co., 171 U.S. 55 (1898); Santa Fe Mining Inc., 79 IBLA 48 (1984).

Floating Claims:

In Melvin Helit, 146 IBLA 362, 370 (1998), the Board held that if the locators have attempted to 

locate a “floating claim” (one that can vary at any time by the claimants’ subjective declarations 

as to what is or is not a part of the claim), and it is impossible to ascertain what lands are covered 

by a mining claim based on either the description in the notice or the markings on the ground, the 

claim is properly declared null and void.

Material Sale Contracts:

Cambrillic Natural Stone Unique Minerals, Inc. (on recon.), 165 IBLA 140 (2005): Materials 

sale contracts do not segregate the land from mining location, but such locations are subject to 

the outstanding contract of sale. Also, minerals may be sold under the Materials Act only if they 

are not subject to location under the mining laws. 
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Taylor Grazing Act:

Amax Specialty Minerals, 100 IBLA 60 (1987): Lands patented under the exchange provisions 

of section 8 of the Taylor Grazing Act of 1934, as amended, 43 U.S.C. § 315g (1964) (repealed 

by Section 7705(a) of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976) with a reservation 

of the minerals to the United States are subject to appropriation under the mining or mineral 

leasing laws. See 43 CFR 3811.2-9.

Payments

Dishonored Checks:

Gary L. Carter (on recon.), 132 IBLA 46 (1995): When a check in payment of a fee is tendered 

but dishonored by the bank, it must be a bank error, as admitted by the bank, in order to accept 

substitute payment for a dishonored check if the time for submitting payment has passed; 

otherwise, the claims are void.

Loco Mining Co., 155 IBLA 153 (2001): A mining claimant whose maintenance fee payment 

was dishonored by the bank appealed the voidance of its mining claims because the owner was 

told by the BLM that the agency may accept a replacement payment as long as the funds arrive 

before the BLM receives notice that there was a problem with the payment. The Board held that 

even though the information was not correct in this case, the BLM was not estopped from 

declaring the claims forfeited and null and void. The BLM's misadvice was not in the form of a 

crucial misstatement in an official decision. Further, reliance on such misadvice was irrelevant, 

since it was not given until after the mandatory statutory deadline for making payment (when the 

BLM was no longer authorized to accept maintenance fees) and since reliance on any misadvice 

may not create rights not authorized by law.

Postmark Rule

Kathleen K. Rawlings, et al., 137 IBLA 368 (1997): History of postmark rule.

Western Utah Copper, 174 IBLA 337 (2008): Postmark rule applies to new claims. Also, a 

private postage meter stamp is sufficient to satisfy the postmark rule where a U.S. Postal Service 

employee explained that the Postal Service considered the date affixed by North American's 

Pitney-Bowes postage meter as the "official date for when the mail was deposited for delivery," 

essentially adopting that postage meter stamp as its own postmark.
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James J. McGarvey, 174 IBLA 299 (2008): A maintenance fee waiver certification is timely 

received by the BLM pursuant to 43 CFR 3830.5 when it is received no later than 15 days after 

the due date provided that it had been sent to the BLM in an envelope postmarked on or before 

the due date, even though originally sent to the wrong address.

Records Notation

Notation Rule:

B.J. Toohey, 88 IBLA 66 (1985): History of the notation rule.

Segregative Effect Must Be Removed by the Same Type of Action That Caused It:

Boyad Tanner, 113 IBLA 387, 391 (1990): The notation rule requires that lands segregated by a 

particular action are restored by the same type of action. For example, if a segregative effect is 

established by noting the records, the segregative effect can only be removed by again noting the 

records. However, if the segregative effect of an application is noted in the Federal Register, the 

relinquishment of that application must similarly be noted in the Federal Register before the 

segregative effect can be removed.

Notation Rule Does Not Apply/No Opening Order or Other Action Necessary:

David Cavanaugh, 89 IBLA 285, 300-01 (1985): Where Section 204 of FLPMA (43 U.S.C. § 

1714 provides for segregation to terminate in 2 years from the date of the Federal Register notice 

regarding the filing of a withdrawal application, the notation rule does not apply. If there is no 

acceptance or rejection of the application, the segregative effect automatically terminates at the 

end of the 2-year period, even if the notation remains on the records. Note: Withdrawal 

applications filed before the enactment of FLPMA are subject to the notation rule. 

Richard Bargen, 117 IBLA 239, 243 (1991). Where Congress creates a withdrawal that 

terminates on a date specifically stated in the statute, the BLM has no authority to extend the 

withdrawal by taking the position that either (1) an opening order is necessary to make the lands 

available to location, or (2) that the segregative effect can be continued by the notation rule.

Casey E. Folks, Jr. et al, 183 IBLA 24 (2012) recon. denied 183 IBLA 359 (2013): Lands 

within an expired FLPMA withdrawal that withdrew lands from the mining laws and that are not 

subject to an overlapping withdrawal or segregation still in effect, are automatically and 

immediately open to mineral location and entry upon expiration of the withdrawal. See also 
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Washington Office Instruction Memorandum No. 2014-042 dated February 5, 2014.

Claimants Have Constructive Notice of Withdrawals:

John F. and Vickie L. Malone, 89 IBLA 341, 344 (1985): Claimants are charged with 

constructive knowledge of the existence of withdrawals. The BLM is not required to promptly 

check the legal status of every claim to advise locators they are on lands not open to entry under 

the mining laws. The Board said the “BLM cannot be expected to promptly determine the legal 

status of each individual claim, considering the volume of records for unpatented mining claims 

it is expected to review.”

Wolfram Jack Mining Corporation, 176 IBLA 183 (2008): Section 204(j) of the Federal Land 

Policy and Management Act of 1976, 43 U.S.C. § 1714(j) (2000), provides that the Secretary 

“shall not make, modify, or revoke any withdrawal created by Act of Congress.” Lands are 

closed to entry or appropriation when Congress declares them withdrawn by statute, the legal 

effect of which does not depend upon the BLM’s promptness in noting the withdrawal in the 

public land records.

Effect of Withdrawals on Mining Claims:

Jack Stanley, 103 IBLA 392, 394 (1989): Where lands covered by mining claims are withdrawn 

from future entries “subject to valid existing rights,” the withdrawal attaches, as of the date of the 

withdrawal, to all land described by the withdrawal, including the lands covered by the mining 

claims. So long as the claims are valid, the withdrawal is ineffective as to the lands embraced by 

the claims. However, when the claims terminate, the withdrawal automatically becomes 

effective, to the lands covered by the entry, thus closing them to future entries. No further action 

is required to effect the withdrawal. 

Stock Raising Homestead Act 

Claims Located on Lands Patented under the Stock Raising Homestead Act:

Margaret L. Berggren, 171 IBLA 297 (2007): Surface owner CAN file NOITL and enjoy 

benefit of 90-day segregation. While surface owner is not required to file NOITL to prospect 

and locate mining claims, they can file one and therefore enjoy the benefit of the 90-day 

segregation. 

Karry Keith Klump, 141 IBLA 166 (1997): The appellant had located a claim on lands patented 
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under the Stock Raising Homestead Act (Act), as amended, 43 U.S.C. §§ 291-299 (1994), but 

had not complied with the notice requirements imposed by the 1993 amendment to the Act that 

became effective on October 13, 1993. The BLM declared the claim null and void because 

Klump failed to give notice to the Department and the affected landowner before making his 

location as required by 43 U.S.C.§ 299(b) (1994). The Board upheld the BLM’s decision 

because written notice must be given to the surface owner by registered or certified mail at least 

30 days before entering the lands. Id. at 168-69

American Colloid Co., 154 IBLA 7 (2000). Where BLM's regulation and notice form relating to 

the location of mining claims on lands patented under the Stock Raising Homestead Act, as 

amended, require only the name of the person filing the notice, and the name of the person 

managing exploration and claim location activities, a properly filed and served notice which does 

not identify either the name of the mining association or the names and addresses of the 

individual members is valid, and a decision declaring the mining claims located by the mining 

association null and void by reason of such alleged defect will be reversed.

Transfers

(See entries for association placer transfers and transfers of claims under a waiver.)

Waivers

Failing to list claims on waiver results in abandonment of those claims:

Burbank Gold, Ltd., 138 IBLA 17 (1997): If claimant lists 10 or fewer claims on waiver, and its 

POL lists the same claims, and there is nothing in record that appears to contradict intent to 

abandon claims not listed, claimant qualifies for waiver and the non-listed claims are considered 

abandoned.

No FLPMA filings required if maintenance fee is paid for the same assessment year:

Cheryl Jong, 142 IBLA 75 (1997): Maintenance fees paid in 1994; waiver and maintenance fees 

paid in 1995 for 1996 Assessment Year, waiver filed on August 26, 1996, and notice of intent to 

hold filed December 11, 1996; ruling was that claims were not void; no POL was required for 

1996 Assessment Year because maintenance fees paid for 1996 Assessment Year.

Patrick M. Layman (on recon.), 144 IBLA 367 (1998): Decision declaring claims forfeit and 

void for no POL by 12/30/94; Layman paid rental fees for 1993 Assessment Year and 1994 
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Assessment year; on September 2, 1994, Layman filed waiver; IBLA found that no POL for 

Assessment year 1994 was required.

"Related Parties":

Silver Crystal Miners, 147 IBLA 146 (1999): Under maintenance fee statute and regulations 43 

CFR 3833.1-6, definition of related parties expanded and includes “person who controls, is 

controlled by, or under common control with the claimant;” this would include common 

directors, officers, stockholders, voting trust or a holding company or investment company; Joe 

Swisher as president of Silver Crystal would be a “related” party as would other corporations of 

which Swisher is an officer.

Ridge Top Mining Co., 175 IBLA 198 (2008): Having filed a waiver and then having it 

discovered that claimant and related parties hold more than 10 claims is not a curable defect 

because requirement of holding 10 or fewer claims is a statutory requirement.

Requirements for transferees of waived claims:

Frank E. & Carol Sieglitz, 170 IBLA 286 (2006): If a transferee qualifies for a waiver, the POL 

must be performed and filed by 12/30 following the end of that Assessment Year; if the 

transferee does not qualify, he or she must pay the annual maintenance fee for the Assessment 

Year for which the waiver was obtained by 9/1 following the date the transfer became effective 

under state law. The transferees qualified for waiver and were therefore required to file POL, 

rather than have the option of paying the maintenance fees.

Randi Rovetto, 177 IBLA 257 (2009): Waiver was filed 8/24/07 for 2008 Assessment Year; 

8/22/08 QCD was filed which took the claimant over 10 claims and maintenance fees paid; no 

2008 POL; payment of 2008 maintenance fees proper and stopped requirement for 2008 POL; 

however, in fn 6, says that Randi Rovetto would have also had to pay maintenance fee for 2009 

Assessment Year by 9/1/08. When the claimant no longer qualifies to hold claims under a small 

miner waiver, then maintenance fees are due for not only the claims transferred, but also on any 

claims held under a current assessment year waiver.

Opportunity to cure documents associated with waived claims:

Debra Smith, 179 IBLA 220 (2010): Failure to timely pay processing fee for POL for 

Assessment Year 2009; claimant timely filed 2009 POL with no money; IBLA says not forfeit 

and void because fee requirement is regulatory not statutory and claimant should be allowed to 

cure.
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Melvin Peterson, 180 IBLA 152 (2010): Defective waiver must be cured or maintenance fees 

paid within 60 days of BLM notice of defect; cure of some but not all of the defects does not 

cure the defect and claims are forfeit and void; no extension of time beyond the 60 days can be 

given.

Photocopies of previous waivers do not satisfy certification requirement for the current 

year:

Thomas L. Carufel, Dorothea L. Johnson, 155 IBLA 340 (2001): A mining claimant seeking a 

waiver of the requirement to pay the annual mining claim maintenance fee must file an annual 

certification of his qualifications for a waiver on the date payment is due. The refiling of a 

photocopy of a certification of qualifications previously executed by claimants and filed for a 

different assessment year does not constitute a timely filed certification of qualifications for a 

waiver and the claim is properly held to be forfeited and void.