Trust lands are parcels of land granted by Congress to Utah at the time of statehood. Trust lands were allocated specifically to generate revenue to support designated state institutions, including public schools, hospitals, teaching colleges, and universities.

Revenue generated from energy, mineral, real estate, and surface development on trust lands is deposited into beneficiary permanent endowments, which total $2.5 billion. Each beneficiary receives annual distributions from their individual endowment.

No, trust lands are held in trust for specific institutions designated by Congress and are not held in public domain. Trust lands were allocated specifically to generate revenue to support designated state institutions, including public schools, hospitals, teaching colleges, and universities. While approximately 67% of Utah is public land, trust lands comprise only 6% of the state’s acreage.

Trust Lands manages 3.3 million surface and subsurface acres, and an additional 1.1 million acres of mineral estate for its beneficiaries.