### Question
What is the definition of public lands?


### Answer
The definition of **public lands** is as follows in *43 U.S.C. § 1702*:

> any land and interest in land owned by the United States within the several States and administered by the Secretary of the Interior through the Bureau of Land Management, without regard to how the United States acquired ownership, except—


(1) lands located on the Outer Continental Shelf

#### Citation:
  - *43 U.S.C. § 1702*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 35-FEDERAL LAND POLICY AND MANAGEMENT > SUBCHAPTER I-GENERAL PROVISIONS**

