[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 25USC463]
TITLE 25--INDIANS
CHAPTER 14--MISCELLANEOUS
SUBCHAPTER V--PROTECTION OF INDIANS AND CONSERVATION OF RESOURCES
Sec. 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persons to any lands so withdrawn existing on the date of the withdrawal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
