ARIZONA’S STATE TRUST LAND

(Willie Sommers, Range Resource Area Manager, Arizona State Land Department)

Many of our rural residents are fortunate to live in close proximity to wide

open spaces that provide a myriad of opportunities for sport and recreation.

Arizona is a state with a considerable percentage of land owned by the

federal government and managed as public land (Figure 1). While you

may be familiar with the National Forest system, what do you know about

Arizona’s State Trust lands? Did you know that roughly 9.2 million acres

in Arizona are held in trust primarily for the benefit of our public education

system? Did you also know that State Trust land is not public land?

An Act of Congress, that established the Arizona Territory in 1863,

endowed the new Territory with two sections of lands withdrawn from the

federal domain and dedicated to specific purposes. Sections 16 and 36 of

each township were dedicated by this Act for the benefit of the Common

Schools. Later, through the 1910 State Enabling Act, Sections 2 and 32

of each township were also dedicated and held in trust.

In 1915 the State Land Code established the Land Department and the system by which

State Trust lands are managed today. The Land Department manages Trust

land to maximize revenues for 14 beneficiaries including our public schools.

The largest beneficiaries are the Common Schools (K-12), receiving

approximately 87% of Trust land revenue. Some other beneficiaries include

the Legislative, Executive & Judicial Buildings, the University of Arizona, and

the School for the Deaf & Blind located in Tucson.

Arizona State Land Department’s Mission

To manage State Trust lands and resources to enhance value and optimize

economic return for the Trust beneficiaries, consistent with sound stewardship,

conservation, and business management principles supporting socioeconomic

goals for citizens here today and generations to come. To manage and provide

support for resource conservation programs for the well-being of the public and

the State's natural environment.

Hunting and Recreation

While Trust land comprises a substantial portion of the open space where

Arizona’s residents can enjoy the outdoors, no one may enter State Trust

land without a permit. Authority for granting permits has been given by the

Legislature to the Land Department in all instances except those concerning

hunting, fishing, and access for archaeological purposes.

Hunting and fishing permits are administered by the Game and Fish Department, and the scope of their use is limited to hunting and fishing purposes exclusively. Likewise,

permits for entry on State Trust land for archaeological purposes are issued

by the Arizona State Museum. Any other use of State Trust lands must be permitted by the Land Department.

A recreation permit is required to camp, hike, or travel on State Trust

land that is open to recreational uses. Some State Trust lands have been

closed by Land Commissioner Order due to environmental concerns or

hazardous conditions. Other activities authorized with a recreation permit

include horseback riding, picnicking, bicycling, photography, sightseeing and

bird watching. Camping is allowed under a recreation permit but is limited

not to exceed 14 days. Target shooting is not allowed on State Trust land.

In rural areas, most Trust land is available for recreation and these areas

are typically leased for livestock grazing. It is important for recreationists not

to interfere with other permitted users of State Trust land. Those seeking

outdoor recreation are encouraged to consult maps to learn the land

ownership pattern where they plan to visit