16 USC § 482l
Perfection of mining claims within forest
through Pub. L. 116-344, except Pub. Ls. 116-260 and 116-283
Valid mining claims within the said lands, existing on June 10, 1949, and thereafter maintained in compliance with the law under which they were initiated and the laws of the State of New Mexico, may be perfected under sections 482j to 482l of this title, or under the laws under which they were initiated, as the claimant may desire.