Arizona State Trust Lands

Our Precious State Trust Lands


Shortsighted decision making on the part of State Land Commissioner Realtor Mark Winkleman limits the possibilities of the present State Land Department. Since state trust land is leased for agriculture and grazing, then it makes sense to lease lands to the cities for preserves and to the universities for study areas.

Managing the state trust lands calls for more thought than single minded selling of all 9,000,000 acres, leaving the state with a portfolio of shares based on monetary value. Inflation is officially here and monetary funds are worth less each day under these inflationary conditions. Trading unique real estate assets for paper seems foolish in this business climate. The intrinsic value of the state trust lands is irreplaceable.

Arizona has a water supply problem looming and the development of more state trust land into water thirsty housing is irresponsible. Watersheds need to be protected and groundwater must be used carefully. The State Land Department is part of the government of Arizona and thus is subject to the public trust. Disposing of state lands is not in the public interest. More grazing and leases for preserves, study areas and watersheds would produce a steady income and a better quality of life for residents, plus the added benefit of state retention of the land.