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Foster v. Seaton

United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

271 F.2d 836 (1959)

Facts

The provisions of 30 U.S.C.A. 22, 29, 35 authorized occupation and purchase of government lands containing valuable mineral deposits. Everett Foster (plaintiff) had claims to valuable mineral deposits of sand and gravel 13 miles from the center of Las Vegas. The Department of Interior initiated proceedings to contest Foster’s claims on the ground that the deposits of sand and gravel were insufficient in quantity, quality, and accessibility to a market to constitute a valid discovery. The hearing officer found in favor of Foster. However, an appeal was filed by rival claimants who intervened to assert an interest in the land under the Small Tract Act, 43 U.S.C.A. 682a. The director of the Bureau of Land Management heard the appeal and reversed the hearing officer’s decision. The secretary of the Interior (defendant) affirmed the director’s ruling. Foster brought suit in district court under the Administrative Procedures Act to review the secretary’s decision, arguing that the secretary misinterpreted the statute by requiring a demonstration of the present value of the mineral deposits. Foster and the secretary cross-moved for summary judgment. The district court granted summary judgment in favor of the secretary. Foster appealed.

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Holding and Reasoning (Per curiam)

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