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U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 463. Restoration of lands to tribal ownership
(a) Protection of existing rights
The Secretary of the Interior, if he shall find it to be in the
public interest, is authorized to restore to tribal ownership the
remaining surplus lands of any Indian reservation heretofore
opened, or authorized to be opened, to sale, or any other form of
disposal by Presidential proclamation, or by any of the public-land
laws of the United States: Provided, however, That valid rights or
claims of any persons to any lands so withdrawn existing on the
date of the withdrawal shall not be affected by this Act: Provided
further, That this section shall not apply to lands within any
reclamation project heretofore authorized in any Indian
reservation.
(b) Papago Indians; permits for easements, etc.
(1), (2) Repealed. May 27, 1955, ch. 106, Sec. 1, 69 Stat. 67.
(3) Water reservoirs, charcos, water holes, springs, wells, or
any other form of water development by the United States or the
Papago Indians shall not be used for mining purposes under the
terms of this Act, except under permit from the Secretary of the
Interior approved by the Papago Indian Council: Provided, That
nothing herein shall be construed as interfering with or affecting
the validity of the water rights of the Indians of this
reservation: Provided further, That the appropriation of living
water heretofore or hereafter affected, by the Papago Indians is
recognized and validated subject to all the laws applicable
thereto.
(4) Nothing herein contained shall restrict the granting or use
of permits for easements or rights-of-way; or ingress or egress
over the lands for all proper and lawful purposes.
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