Wyoming Administrative Code Agency 060 - Lands and Investments, Office of
The Office of Lands and Investments in Wyoming exists to manage, protect, and develop state lands and investments. Its main goals are to:
Maximize long-term financial returns from state lands and assets.
Ensure responsible and sustainable use of state-owned lands.
Manage trust lands for the benefit of public institutions, like schools.
Oversee investments of state funds to support public programs.
Basically, it handles both land management and state investments, making sure Wyoming’s resources benefit citizens today and in the future.
2. Scope of Authority
The Office of Lands and Investments is responsible for:
Managing state-owned lands: This includes leasing, selling, or otherwise using land for agriculture, grazing, oil and gas, minerals, timber, recreation, or conservation.
Overseeing investments: Managing the state’s investment funds to generate revenue while minimizing risk.
Protecting trust assets: Some state lands are held in trust for public schools and other beneficiaries, so they must be managed carefully to ensure long-term benefits.
Developing policies and rules: Ensures all land and investment activities comply with state law.
3. Land Management Functions
The Office handles state lands in several ways:
Leasing: Renting land for activities like:
Agriculture or livestock grazing
Oil, gas, and mineral extraction
Timber production
Recreational use (camping, hunting, fishing)
Sales and Transfers: Occasionally, the Office may sell or transfer lands to private individuals, local governments, or other entities, following state law.
Land Use Planning: Ensuring lands are used sustainably and according to state policies.
Revenue Collection: Collecting royalties, lease payments, or other income from land use. This revenue often supports public schools or other state funds.
4. Investment Functions
The Office also manages state financial assets, which include:
Permanent funds: Long-term investment funds, often linked to mineral or land revenues.
Operating funds: Short-term investments to support state operations.
The Office ensures:
Investments are safe and diversified.
Returns are maximized without excessive risk.
Financial management complies with state law and fiduciary responsibility.
5. Oversight of Trust Lands
Some lands are held in trust for specific purposes, usually for public education. The Office must:
Protect and manage these lands responsibly.
Generate income through leases, royalties, or sales.
Report revenue to the appropriate beneficiaries (like schools).
Trust lands are treated differently from general state lands because the Office has a legal duty to maximize benefits for the trust beneficiaries.
6. Administrative Structure and Powers
The Office is part of the Wyoming State Government and typically includes:
Director or Chief Executive: Oversees operations and ensures compliance with law.
Land management staff: Handle leases, sales, planning, and compliance.
Investment staff: Handle portfolio management and financial analysis.
The Office has the authority to:
Create rules and regulations for land and investment management.
Negotiate and approve leases and sales of state lands.
Manage financial assets and investment portfolios.
Enforce contracts and legal obligations related to state lands and investments.
7. Enforcement and Compliance
The Office ensures compliance with:
State laws regarding land use and investments.
Trust obligations for land revenues and funds.
Environmental and safety regulations related to land use.
If individuals or organizations violate lease agreements or state rules, the Office can:
Terminate leases
Collect damages or unpaid revenues
Take legal action to protect state interests
✅ Summary
The Wyoming Administrative Code, Agency 060 – Office of Lands and Investments is responsible for:
Managing state-owned lands for agriculture, minerals, timber, recreation, and conservation.
Generating revenue from land use to support public institutions, especially schools.
Investing state funds safely and responsibly to maximize returns.
Protecting trust assets and ensuring long-term financial benefits for Wyoming citizens.
Enforcing laws, leases, and contracts related to land and investments.
In short, it’s Wyoming’s landlord, investor, and trustee, all rolled into one office, ensuring both the land and money work for the public good.
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