§ 4302. — Definitions.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 16USC4302]
TITLE 16--CONSERVATION
CHAPTER 63--FEDERAL CAVE RESOURCES PROTECTION
Sec. 4302. Definitions
For purposes of this chapter:
(1) Cave
The term ``cave'' means any naturally occurring void, cavity,
recess, or system of interconnected passages which occurs beneath
the surface of the earth or within a cliff or ledge (including any
cave resource therein, but not including any vug, mine, tunnel,
aqueduct, or other manmade excavation) and which is large enough to
permit an individual to enter, whether or not the entrance is
naturally formed or manmade. Such term shall include any natural
pit, sinkhole, or other feature which is an extension of the
entrance.
(2) Federal lands
The term ``Federal lands'' means lands the fee title to which is
owned by the United States and administered by the Secretary of
Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior.
(3) Indian lands
The term ``Indian lands'' means lands of Indian tribes or Indian
individuals which are either held in trust by the United States for
the benefit of an Indian tribe or subject to a restriction against
alienation imposed by the United States.
(4) Indian tribe
The term ``Indian tribe'' means any Indian tribe, band, nation,
or other organized group or community of Indians, including any
Alaska Native village or regional or village corporation as defined
in, or established pursuant to, the Alaska Native Claims settlement
\1\ Act (43 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.).
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\1\ So in original. Probably should be capitalized.
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(5) Cave resource
The term ``cave resource'' includes any material or substance
occurring naturally in caves on Federal lands, such as animal life,
plant life, paleontological deposits, sediments, minerals,
speleogens, and speleothems.
(6) Secretary
The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Agriculture or the
Secretary of the Interior, as appropriate.
(7) Speleothem
The term ``speleothem'' means any natural mineral formation or
deposit occurring in a cave or lava tube, including but not limited
to any stalactite, stalagmite, helictite, cave flower, flowstone,
concretion, drapery, rimstone, or formation of clay or mud.
(8) Speleogen
The term ``speleogen'' means relief features on the walls,
ceiling, and floor of any cave or lava tube which are part of the
surrounding bedrock, including but not limited to anastomoses,
scallops, meander niches, petromorphs and rock pendants in solution
caves and similar features unique to volcanic caves.
(Pub. L. 100-691, Sec. 3, Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4546.)
References in Text
The Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, referred to in par. (4), is
Pub. L. 92-203, Dec. 18, 1971, 85 Stat. 688, as amended, which is
classified generally to chapter 33 (Sec. 1601 et seq.) of Title 43,
Public Lands. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title note set out under section 1601 of Title 43 and Tables.