12: TRUST LANDS ADMINISTRATION

MISSION: Administer the trust lands prudently and profitably for Utah's schoolchildren

Other Information:

GUIDING PRINCIPLES Conserve, safeguard, and protect trust assets Our first and foremost duty is to safeguard all assets of the trust. This requires a careful balancing of short and long-term goals, needs, and actions so that asset values are enhanced rather than diminished over time. Optimize earnings and distributions Beneficiaries only reap benefits when funds are distributed to them. Our goal is to optimize earnings and benefits without eroding asset values. Maintain undivided loyalty to beneficiaries We are loyal to both present and future beneficiaries. Every action or decision is with their best interests in mind. Practice prudent, effective management Such management depends upon strong organizational principles including: integrity, fiscal responsibility, long-range planning, clear priorities, teamwork, creativity and flexibility, open communication, measurement and control, accountability and disclosure, unity of purpose and goals, and diversity of ideas and methods. Build organizational & personal competence The staff and organization of the Trust Lands Administration is, itself, a valuable trust asset. We will increase the value of that asset by: • Strengthening core competency and skills • Improving processes, procedures, and systems using innovations and technology • Enhancing and preserving the profound knowledge of our people • Improving individual job satisfaction and fulfillment Practice social responsibility Our undivided loyalty is to the beneficiaries. We also recognize a responsibility to the broad needs of society as a whole. Accordingly, we will maintain a balance in all we do to: • Enhance customer satisfaction and trust • Improve public relations • Avoid harming others • Conform to the law while helping make appropriate changes when needed Looking Ahead: A number of things require the attention of Utah trust lands managers. The ability to deal with and handle these issues will greatly influence the capacity of the Trust Lands Administration to fulfill its mission. CRITICAL ISSUES Promoting mineral development in Utah. Some organizations have a goal of creating many millions of additional acres of wilderness in Utah. Some of the lands proposed for wilderness have prospective mineral values and might be desired by the Trust Lands Administration in land exchanges. Even though these lands are not in Wilderness Study Areas or have other restrictive federal designations, the opposition to state acquisition of these lands can limit the ability to trade into lands with suitable economic potential. Receiving fair market value for use of trust lands. Sometimes a customer (or potential customer) asks the Trust Lands Administration to accept a less-than-fair-market-value offer for the use or purchase of trust lands. Frequently these requests are presented as causes worthy of special consideration. Occasionally the requesting party will attempt to apply political pressure to achieve its purpose. The Trust Lands Administration must oppose less-than-fair-market-value requests and try to educate all involved regarding the nature of the Trust and its duties to the beneficiaries. Exchanging out of restrictive federal inholdings. There are roughly 400,000 acres of trust land currently inheld in Wilderness Study Areas, wilderness re-inventory areas, or other restrictive designations. In many cases, the financial future for these lands is limited. The Trust Lands Administration seeks to trade trust inholdings for lands with more economic potential. The agency will continue to seek such exchanges for the foreseeable future. Building public awareness and support of trust lands and the agency. Although recent surveys indicate that awareness is growing, they also indicate that only about 30% of the public is familiar with the term "trust lands" and that their knowledge of the purpose of the lands and the agency is even less. The Trust Lands Administration will continue its efforts to increase public awareness and support by building and maintaining lines of communications with the State Legislature, local leaders, county leaders, and parents and teachers. The key to positive public relations is good character, responsible performance, and effective communication.

Objective(s):

T 1: Trust Assets

T 2: Federal Land Exchanges

T 3: Citizenship

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