Show Forest Service at of Work on Elk Mountain Claim Problem The U U. S. S forest service Is Jg beginning beginning be ginning an educational campaign preliminary to cleaning surface rights on miring claims In the Elk Mountain district west of the Blue Mountains In San Juan county It was disclosed here this week George C C. Whitlock of Price mineral mIneraI claims examiner for the forest service explained that the Elk Mountain situation Is to vital Interest to the many Moab res residents residents resi- resi dents who hold claims in the dis dis- All of the acre Involved ed In the Elk Mountains has been I staked and most of It was staked prior to the time the new law covering surface rights to mining claims went into effect last July Whitlock said Claim holders thus are entitled entitle to all rights they possessed un der the old law Jaw including the right to use timber on the tho claim for a actual mining purposes While the forest service docs does not wish to Interfere In any way with actual mining activity Whitlock Whitlock Whit lock said the service Is anxious to clear surface rights to make possible sale of timber and to prevent Interference with other public uses of the land Involved Including hunting and fishing lie Ito pointed out that some 10 million mil lion feet of timber In the area now Is ready for sale but it cannot cannot can can- not be advertised by the forest service until the surface rights Issue is settled Whitlock has been conferring In n Moab Monticello and BlandIng Bland Bland- Ing with attorneys and others Interested In In the problem pointing out the forest services service's position In Tn time he said the forest ser ser ser- vice will advertise notifying claim holders that they have a choice of either waiving their surface surface sur sur- face rights under the old law and retaining mineral mineraI rights under provisions of at the new statute or of sending In verified statements as to why they wish to retain surface rights In cases where claim holders wish to retain surface rights Whitlock said hearings probably vill vIII be set to verify claim titles md nd clear other points Involved |