Learn About The Law
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Current as of January 02, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
(a) Operators shall have the right of surface use only to the extent specifically granted by the lease. With respect to restricted Indian lands, additional surface rights may be exercised when granted by a written agreement with the Indian surface owner and approved by the Superintendent of the Indian agency having jurisdiction.
(b) Except for the National Forest System lands, the authorized officer is responsible for approving and supervising the surface use of all drilling, development, and production activities on the leasehold. This includes storage tanks and processing facilities, sales facilities, all pipelines upstream from such facilities, and other facilities to aid production such as water disposal pits and lines, and gas or water injection lines.
(c) On National Forest System lands, the Forest Service shall regulate all surface disturbing activities in accordance with Forest Service regulations, including providing to the authorized officer appropriate approvals of such activities.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Code of Federal Regulations Title 43. Public Lands: Interior § 43.3164.3 Surface rights - last updated January 02, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/cfr/title-43-public-lands-interior/cfr-sect-43-3164-3/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
A free source of state and federal court opinions, state laws, and the United States Code. For more information about the legal concepts addressed by these cases and statutes, visit FindLaw’s Learn About the Law.
Get help with your legal needs
FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
Search our directory by legal issue
Enter information in one or both fields (Required)