Land Status
The current legal status of a parcel of public land, including ownership, withdrawals, reservations, and available entry types.
Detailed Definition
Land status is the current legal classification of a parcel of public land, encompassing its ownership, any withdrawals or reservations affecting it, and the types of entry or appropriation available. Land status research is a critical step before locating mining claims.
- Ownership: Federal, state, private, or tribal
- Managing agency: BLM, USFS, NPS, DOD, etc.
- Withdrawals: Congressional or administrative actions removing land from entry
- Reservations: Land set aside for specific purposes (military, wildlife, etc.)
- Segregations: Temporary withholdings pending decisions
- Encumbrances: Existing rights such as mining claims, leases, or rights-of-way
- Master Title Plat (MTP): BLM map showing ownership, withdrawals, and patents for each township
- Historical Index: Chronological record of all actions affecting a township
- Serial Register Page: Detailed record for each individual case (claim, lease, etc.)
- Use Plat: Shows specific land uses and authorizations
How to research land status: - BLM LR2000/MLRS online system - BLM General Land Office (GLO) records - State office records and case files - Geographic Coordinate Data Base (GCDB)
Importance for mining claims: Before locating a mining claim, the prospector must verify that the land is: - Federally owned (not state or private) - Open to mineral entry (not withdrawn) - Not already covered by senior claims - Managed by an agency that allows mining claims
Related Terms
BLM
The Bureau of Land Management, the federal agency that administers public lands including mining claim filings and maintenance.
Open to Entry
Public lands that are available for the location of mining claims under the Mining Law of 1872.
Withdrawal
An action by the federal government that removes public lands from availability for mining claim location or other forms of entry.
Segregation
The temporary withholding of public lands from appropriation under public land laws, typically pending a final decision on a proposed withdrawal.
Federal Lands
Lands owned by the US government and managed by federal agencies such as the BLM, USFS, NPS, and others.