Any citizen of the United States believing coal to exist upon any of the lands described in RCW 79.14.470 may apply to the department for an option contract for any amount not exceeding one section for prospecting purposes, such application to be made by legal subdivision according to the public land surveys. The applicant shall pay to the department, at the time of filing the application, the sum of one dollar an acre for the lands applied for, but in no case less than fifty dollars. In case of the refusal of the department to execute an option contract for the lands, any remainder of the sum so paid, after deducting the expense incurred by the department in investigating the character of the land, shall be returned to the applicant.
[ 2003 c 334 § 415; 1927 c 255 § 164; RRS § 7797-164. Prior: 1925 ex.s. c 155 § 2. Formerly RCW 79.01.656, 78.24.020.]

NOTES:

Intent2003 c 334: See note following RCW 79.02.010.

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Terms Used In Washington Code 79.14.480

  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Remainder: An interest in property that takes effect in the future at a specified time or after the occurrence of some event, such as the death of a life tenant.