Philadelphia Business Daily

What law governs the ownership of caves located in a private property?

If caves or system of caves are located on a duly registered Torrens-titled private property, who is the legal owner of the caves? Can any agency of the government claim legal ownership over the caves? Under what circumstances can the government claim ownership over the caves? What rights over the caves do the land owner have?

Public Comments

1. That portion of the cave that lies under the property of a private land owner, belongs to that landower UNLESS.. 1) THere is an easment for the cave or tunnel (such as a rail road or hightway ) 2) The tunnel contains a river which is capable of navigation - in which case it belongs to the federal government. 3) There is a mining claim on the property from a claim that pre-exists the private ownership. or similiar issues