Document: 436 U.S. 604 98 S.Ct. 2002 56 L.Ed.2d 570 Cecil D. ANDRUS, Secretary of the Interior, Petitioner,v.CHARLESTONE STONE PRODUCTS CO., INC. No. 77-380. Argued April 18, 1978. Decided May 31, Syllabus The basic federal mining statute, 30 U.S.C. § 22, which derives from an 1872 law, provides that "all valuable mineral deposits in lands belonging to United States . shall be free and open exploration purchase." Respondent, after purchasing a number claims, discovered water on one them (Claim 22) used prepare for commercial sale sand gravel removed claims. On review unfavorable administrative decisions against respondent's claims proceedings challenging their validity, District Court held, inter alia, respondent was entitled access Claim 22's water, Appeals affirmed, adding sua sponte 22 itself is valid because thereon. Held : Water not "valuable mineral" within meaning hence locatable thereunder. Pp. 610-617. (a) fact may "mineral" broadest sense word sufficient holding claimant has located deposit" under 22; nor or marketable enough support claim's validity based presence water. In order claim valid, substance must only dictionary definition those words, it also type Congress intended make basis claim. 610-611. (b) relevant statutory provisions, reflect view statutes private rights are governed by state local law custom; history out such arose; Department Interior construing line with view; practical problems would arise if two overlapping systems acquisition were permitted, all conclusion did intend law. 611-617. 553 F.2d 1209, reversed. Sara S. Beale, Washington, C., petitioner. Gerry Levenberg, respondent. Mr. Justice MARSHALL delivered opinion Court. 1 Under f deral law,1 States" declared "free 22.2 question presented whether as words 2 * A land containing deposits" "located" complying certain procedural requisites; who locates thereby gains exclusive right possession land, well extract minerals it. See generally §§ 21-54; American Law Mining 1.17 (1973). at issue this case, known group 23 near Las Vegas, Nev., 1942. 1962, had purchased these drilling This some 3 1965, filed complaint Bureau Land Management, seeking have invalid ground "common varieties" gravel, been expressly excluded minerals" 1955 statute. 3, 69 Stat. 368, 611.3 At hearing Secretary's complaint, principal "valuable" prior effective date legislation, case valid.4 Administrative Judge concluded evidence established pre-1955 value 10. appeals taken both Government, Board (IBLA) affirmed respects here relevant. 9 I. B. L. A. 94 (1973).5 4 Respondent sought Nevada.6 court IBLA supported "at least" Claims through 16 valid. App. Pet. Cert. 26a. further held "that permitted so produced made available operations claims." Ibid. IBLA's decision accordingly vacated, remanded Interior. 5 Government's appeal, Ninth Circuit affirmed. 1209 (1977). It agreed 22. grounded latter conclusion, however, 'upon rationale other than relied upon Court," id., 1215, briefed argued either Appeals. Noting "[s]ince early times, regarded mineral," ibid., appellate stated could assume aware necessary glove hand [that] impliedly reserve allowed recovered," 1216. Since "has intrinsic desert area" additional particular site "as washing agent gravel," ruled "claim extraction [Claim 22's] valid." Ibid.7 6 difference between Court's Appeals' rationales allowing significant one. use claim; Appeals, contrast, If indeed merely thereon, but possessory keep others making any By procedures, moreover, secure "patent" Government conveying fee simple title land. 29, 37; 1.23 Union Oil Co. v. Smith, 249 337, 348-349, 39 308, 310-311, 63 L.Ed. 635 (1919). significance determination regarding validity. single petition "[w]hether 1872." 2. 7 We granted certiorari, 434 964, 501, 54 449 (1977), we now reverse. II 8 purposes correct concluding "mineral," word, "valuable." Both facts they hardly sufficient. long ago recognized when Act Congress, cannot given its definition. granting public lands, except "mineral lands," railroad, wrote: 10 "The 'mineral' many senses, dependent context, ordinary definitions throw little light signification case. Thus scientific division matter into animal, vegetable kingdom absurd applied grant since belong Equally subversive found Century Dictionary: 'any constituent earth's crust' ." Northern Pacific R. Soderberg, 188 526, 530, 365, 367, 47 575 (1903). 11 context similar conclusions drawn. As observed, term statute construed encompass substances conceivably mineral, "there justification mile locations virtually every part surface," "a very high proportion earth 'mineral.' " Rummell Bailey, Utah 2d 137, 140, 320 P.2d 653, 655 (1958). Robert Beery, 25 287, 294-296 (1976) (noting dirt," while literally considered law); Holman Utah, 41 L.D. 314, 315 (1912); Mining, supra, 2.4, p. 168. 12 similarly Many present value, seems likely itself—especially just 15 miles downtown see F.2d, 1211—has, "an value," Yet surely general real estate law; commentator written, "the Congressional mandate sanction disposal laws unrelated mining." 1.18, 56; cf. supra (distinguishing homestead agricultural entry laws). claim.8 III 13 incorporates provisions involving derive earlier Acts. 17 94-95. 1866, Congress' first major effort regulate provided protection "vested rights" "possessors owners" "to mining, agricultural, manufacturing purposes," extent "priority possession" "are acknowledged customs, laws, courts." 51.9 1870, again emphasized "local" "[a]ll patents subject vested accrued acquired [the 1866 provision]." 52.10 14 discussing rights, often note arid Western States. 1879 ustice Field California, writing Court, described vivid terms influx miners shaped his State neighbors: precious metals belonged States, unsurveyed Into mountains emigrants vast numbers penetrated, occupying ravines, gulches canons, probing directions metals. But mines worked without Without gold remain ever buried rock. doctrines common respecting riparian owners applicable condition mountains. Numerous regulations adopted, assumed exist, obvious justness, security ditches flumes, Jennison Kirk, 453, 457-458, 240 (1879). Basey Gallagher, 20 Wall. 670, 681-684, 452 (1875) (Field, J.); Atchison Peterson, 507, 510-515, 414 (1874) J.). Over half century later, Sutherland set same California Oregon Power Beaver Portland Cement Co., 295 142, 154-155, 55 725, 727-728, 79 1356 (1935). He then explained 1870 "approve confirm policy appropriation beneficial use, rules legislation judicial arid-land states, test measure non-navigable waters domain." Id., 155, 728. 18 Our opinions thus recognize that, although developed together West respect chose comprehensive regulation. When passed clearly preserve "pre-existing [water] right[s ]." Broder Natoma & 101 274, 276, 790 Less years passage instead "governed customs laws," pursuant provisions. Charles Lennig, 190, 191 (1886); William Chessman, 774, 775 (1883). Department, charged responsibility "regulating Cameron 252 450, 460, 40 410, 412, 64 659 (1920), recently reaffirmed interpretation. I.B.L.A. 287 (1976). 19 ruling contrary, refer 51 52, embody provisions; our consistent course rulings question. Instead, benefit briefing, below decided "it incongruous hazard this, much laws. adopted "passive" one, Waters Rights 102.1, 53 (R. Clark ed. 1967); three times (in 1872) custom. defies policy, meant time establish parallel system acqui ing sub silentio designed mining. arose, notion simply untenable. IV reinforced consideration consequences expected flow contrary. 21 undoubtedly having rights. doctrine prevailing most mere person controls adjacent body means relatively little; instead, "[t]he appropriator use," actual U.S., 154, S.Ct., 727; 458; W. Hutchins, Selected Problems 30-32, 389-403 (1942); McGowen, Development Political Institutions Public Domain, Wyo.L.J. 1, (1957). Failure period causes one's deemed abandoned. Laws Nineteen 256-328 (1974). With regard entirely different theory prevails. holder claim, investing $100 annually becomes no involved. 28. Once patent obtained, 609, even requirement eliminated. One can readily imagine legal conflicts might differing approaches treated federally cognizable "mineral." could, example, utilize extracted like respondent's, settled another user water.11 Or he yet prevent using it, defeating favor "actual use" scarce resources. 727. respected "could revive abandoned ownership capture, raise horrendous priority extralateral rights."12 decline effect alteration relationships nothing more overly literal reading history. B 24 final indication should remove coverage 611; e 606-607, n. 5. large "abuses persons locate[d] legitimate activity." H.R.Rep.No.730, 84th Cong., 1st Sess., (1955); S.Rep.No.554, 4-5 U.S.Code Cong. Admin.News 1955, 2478. Apparently, locating obtaining inexpensive "use[d] guise nonmining including establishment "filling stations, curio shops, cafes, residence[s] [and] summer camp[s]." 6; 5; Water, course, among elements. While elsewhere, nevertheless possibility abuse less interested extracting resources land.13 A., 296-297. Given unprecedented nature decision, surprising include list confer concerns addressed indicate listed minerals, V 26 grants issue, doubts resolved it." 353 112, 116, 77 685, 687, 693 fortiori, prevail historical decisions, contrary weigh favor. Accordingly, judgment 27 Reversed. 10, 1872, 91. Title full: "Except otherwise provided, surveyed unsurveyed, purchase, occupation citizens intention become such, prescribed according several districts, far inconsistent States." 611 pertinent part: "No deposit varieties sand, stone, pumice, pumicite, cinders petrified wood give hereafter laws: Provided, That herein affect location discovery occurring association deposit. 'Common varieties' sections 601, 603, 615 does materials property giving distinct special traditionally application "complement[ary]" tests relating 'a prudence' expended 'his labor means' developing thereon 'extracted, [removed] marketed profit.' Coleman, 390 599, 600, 602, 88 1327, 1331, 170 (1968), quoting Coleman Castle Womble, 455, 457 (1894). Judge, addition t material reversed 9, invalid. 108. named numbered 12A 13A, 1961. occurred date, His 13A upheld IBLA, 106, 25a, contested 1210 (C.A.9 1977). Although subject-matter jurisdiction raised apparently below, obligation consider sponte. See, e. g., Mt. Healthy City School Dist. Bd. Educ. Doyle, 429 278, 97 568, 571, 50 471 (1977); Mansfield, Coldwater, Lake Michigan Swan, 111 379, 382, 510, 511, 28 462 (1884). Respondent's alleged Procedure (APA), 701 et seq., 1361, 1391(e). 27A. 1391(e) venue jurisdiction. APA, appeared proper 1973, Brandt Hickel, 427 53, (CA9 1970), APA afford implied permitting agency action," Califano Sanders, 430 99, 107, 980, 985, 192 need decide lie action conferred 1331(a). federal-question amended 1976 eliminate amount-in-controversy actions "brought thereof, officer employee thereof official capacity." Pub.L. 94-574 2, 90 2721. Hence 1973 allege $10,000 controversy moment. Ralpho Bell, 186 U.S.App.D.C. 376-377, 51, 569 607, 615-616, Green Philbrook, F.Supp. 834, 836 (Vt.1977). Nor assert 1331(a) jurisdiction, jurisdictionally filed. Fort Sumter Tours, Inc. Andrus, 564 1119, 1123 (CA4 1977); Harary Blumenthal, 555 1113, 1115 (CA2 Fitzgerald Civil Service Comm'n, 180 327, 329 554 1186, 1188 reaching correctly noted, 1216, withdrawn 611. discover until irrelevant 3. infra, 617. referring intent do mean imply exist 1872. conception what relevance "Whenever, possession, manufacturing, accrued, courts, possessors maintained protected same; right-of-way construction canals specified confirmed; whenever person, ditch canal, injures damages settler domain, party committing injury damage liable injured damage." 52 "All granted, homesteads allowed, reservoirs connection section title." understood unlimited "even exhaustion." 349, 311, suggests limited mining-law require previously Brief 31 8; 25-26. Trelease, Federal-State Packaging Rights, Acquisition Mineral Institute Paper pp. 9-17 (Rocky Mt.Min.L.Fdn., 1978). suggestion validated "intrinsic value" "in area," makes particularly likely, substantially lessen claimant's burden showing 4, supra.

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