Code of Federal Regulations Title 43. Public Lands:  Interior § 43.3472.1–1 Qualified applicants and bidders

A lease may be issued only to (a) citizens of the United States;  (b) associations of citizens organized under the laws of the United States or of any state thereof, which are authorized to hold such interests by the statute under which they are organized and by the instrument establishing their association;  (c) corporations organized under the laws of the United States or of any state thereof, including a company or corporation operating a common carrier railroad;  and (d) public bodies, including municipalities.