General Provisions

Wyo. Stat. Ann. tit. 36, ch. 1
in effect

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-101 Definitions.

(a) Unless the context indicates otherwise, as used in this act: (i) The term "board" shall mean the board of land commissioners; (ii) The term "director" means the director of the office of state lands and investments; (iii) The term "state" shall mean the state of Wyoming; (iv) The terms "state lands", "land" or "lands" shall mean and include all lands under the jurisdiction of the board of land commissioners; (v) The terms "school land" or "school lands" shall mean and include all lands granted to the state of Wyoming by the United States of America for the benefit and support of public schools, either directly or through exchange for other lands; (vi) The term "institutional lands" shall mean state lands selected for the benefit of state institutions or any lands other than school lands; (vii) The term "old lessee" means the person, firm, association or corporation in whose name the expiring lease appeared of record in the office of state lands and investments at the time of its expiration; (viii) "This act" means W.S. 36-1-101 through 36-3-111, 36-5-101 through 36-7-510 and 36-9-101 through 36-9-121.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-102 Recording and filing documents of title.

Every department, institution, board and commission of the state of Wyoming which now has or shall hereafter acquire an interest in real property, except leases, easements and rights-of-way for a term not exceeding three (3) years, shall record the document of title with the appropriate county clerk, unless previously recorded, and after recording, shall file the original document with the director excepting, however, easement and right-of-way conveyances previously obtained by the state department of transportation or state transportation commission. This section shall have no effect on existing recording statutes.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-103 Computation of time after registered notice.

When the provisions of this act or the rules and regulations of the board require registered notice to be given, the time shall be reckoned from the date of delivery of such notice by the United States post office, or in the event of nondelivery thereof, from the date of the return thereof to the board by the United States post office.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-104 Acceptance of school lands.

Under the provisions of article 18 of the constitution of the state of Wyoming, the state of Wyoming hereby accepts the lands granted to it by the act of congress entitled "An act to provide for the admission of the state of Wyoming into the union, and for other purposes", approved July 10, 1890, for the purposes in the said act specified; and hereby accepts the grant of numbered school sections mineral in character as made by the act of congress entitled "An act confirming in states and territories title to lands granted by the United States of America in aid of common or public schools", approved January 25, 1927, subject to the provisions and conditions of the said act, and the said lands so granted by the United States of America to the state of Wyoming are hereby solemnly set apart to the purposes specified in the said acts.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-105 Exchange of land granted by federal government.

Whenever, in the judgment of a majority of the members of the board, the interests of the state will be advanced by granting, conveying or deeding to the United States of America, any lands which have been heretofore granted, selected by, and patented to the state, then, in such case said board is hereby authorized and empowered to so grant, convey and deed to the United States of America, such lands. And the president of said board, and the director are authorized and empowered to execute and deliver all necessary instruments to complete such grant, or conveyance; provided, always, that no such lands shall be so granted, conveyed and deeded, unless the United States of America shall, and will permit and allow this state to select, and have patented to it, other lands in lieu of the lands so reconveyed to the United States of America subject to W.S. 36-1-111; provided, however, that the state shall not give both surface and mineral rights with any lands exchanged unless it receives the same from the federal government.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-106 Exchange of state-owned and federal-owned lands.

The state of Wyoming, in accordance with the provisions of the Taylor Grazing Act and other acts of congress authorizing the exchange of federal-owned lands, is hereby authorized and empowered to exchange state-owned lands for federal-owned lands.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-107 Exchange of state-owned and privately owned lands.

The state of Wyoming is also authorized to exchange state-owned lands for privately owned lands.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-108 Pole Mountain district of Medicine Bow national forest; history and relinquishment of legislative jurisdiction by federal government.

(a) By W.S. 19-7-301, the legislature of the state of Wyoming ceded exclusive jurisdiction to what was then known as Fort Francis E. Warren, now referred to as Warren Air Force Base and at the same time, exclusive jurisdiction was extended to future additions to such post. The Pole Mountain district of the Medicine Bow national forest was set aside for military purposes by Executive Order No. 4245, dated June 5, 1925, as amended by Public Land Order No. 1897, dated July 10, 1959. Use for military purposes terminated in accordance with Public Land Order No. 2446, dated July 20, 1961. (b) By the act of August 27, 1964 (Public Law 88-494, 78 Stat. 611) the secretary of agriculture was authorized to relinquish to the state of Wyoming such measure of legislative jurisdiction as he deemed desirable over such lands. On December 24, 1964, Orville L. Freeman, secretary of the department of agriculture, United States of America, notified the governor of the state of Wyoming that the United States relinquishes and retrocedes to the state of Wyoming any and all legislative jurisdiction heretofore acquired by the United States over lands within the Medicine Bow national forest constituting the area known as the Pole Mountain district, created as above stated, to take effect upon acceptance of such jurisdiction by the state of Wyoming.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-109 Pole Mountain district of Medicine Bow national forest; acceptance by state.

The state of Wyoming hereby accepts legislative jurisdiction over the Pole Mountain district of the Medicine Bow national forest.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-110 Authority of director to effect and complete exchanges.

The director is hereby authorized and empowered, subject to the approval of the state board of land commissioners, to effect and complete such exchange of state-owned lands for federal-owned lands; and also to effect and complete such exchange of state-owned lands for privately owned lands; and to do any and all things necessary or required to be done by the state of Wyoming in order to enable said state to comply with the provisions of said Taylor Grazing Act and other acts of congress authorizing the exchange of federal-owned lands, and any order, rule or regulation passed or promulgated in pursuance thereof; and to effect and complete the exchange of state-owned lands for privately-owned lands. The board of land commissioners may authorize the purchase of lands only in an amount necessary to effect and complete the exchange of state-owned lands for other lands and only for those lands identified in the authorization of purchase. The board shall not use the power of eminent domain pursuant to W.S. 1-26-801 et seq. to purchase any lands under this section.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-111 Orders, rules and regulations relative to exchange of lands.

(a) The board of land commissioners is hereby authorized and empowered to pass and promulgate all such orders, rules and regulations as may be necessary or required relative to the appraisal and valuation of the lands to be exchanged as provided in this act, and to provide for the execution of conveyances, contracts and other instruments pertaining to the exchange of the lands, and to enable the director to effect and complete each exchange of the lands after the director provides notice and opportunity to interested persons to provide the board comments, including direct notice to leaseholders of the state lands to be exchanged, owners of adjoining lands and county commissioners from the affected county or counties. The board may authorize the purchase of lands only in an amount necessary to effect and complete the exchange of state-owned lands for other lands and only for those lands identified in the authorization of purchase. The board shall not use the power of eminent domain pursuant to W.S. 1-26-801 et seq. to purchase any lands under this section. The board of land commissioners is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the exchange of state lands on a value for value basis. The exchange program may authorize a cash equalization receipt or payment of up to twenty-five percent (25%) of the value of the lands exchanged. Any receipt shall be deposited into, and any payment shall be made from, the permanent land fund. State lands may be exchanged upon the board's finding the exchange is necessary to: (i) Make state lands more manageable where the lands are not otherwise manageable; (ii) Meet a specific need of a school or community for land; (iii) Better meet the multiple use objectives for the benefit of the trust; or (iv) Realize a clear long term benefit to the trust which substantially exceeds the present and probable future benefit from continued ownership.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-112 Cutting of timber by lessee of state lands prohibited; general penalty for violations; damages.

(a) The lessee of state lands shall in no case be allowed to cut or use more timber therefrom, than shall be necessary for the improvement of such lands, or for fuel for the use of the family of the lessee. The director may, in his discretion and subject to criteria established by the board, sell and dispose of timber located or growing on state lands, at not less than the reasonable market value thereof. (b) Removal of forest products from state lands is permitted only under a valid contract or small sale permit. Any person who knowingly or with reckless disregard removes forest products from state lands without proper authorization is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), imprisoned for not more than six (6) months, or both. In addition to these penalties, a person removing forest products from state lands without proper authorization is liable for damages up to the amount of three (3) times the bid value of the most recent auction of similar species and product, or the appraised value whichever is greater, plus actual restoration and administrative costs.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-114 Protection of prehistoric ruins; permits to excavate, regulations and violations.

Before any excavation on any prehistoric ruins, pictographs, hieroglyphics, or any other ancient markings, or writing or archaeological and paleontological deposits in the state of Wyoming on any state or federal lands, shall be undertaken, a permit shall first be obtained from the state board of land commissioners. The state board of land commissioners is hereby authorized to promulgate and enforce such regulations as it may deem needful to protect from vandalism or injury the prehistoric ruins, relics, archaeological and paleontological deposits of the state, as well as all natural bridges and natural scenic features and formations. Any violation of such regulations shall be a misdemeanor.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-115 Protection of prehistoric ruins; consent to removal from state.

No person shall remove from the state of Wyoming any part of any such ruins or deposit except with the consent of the state board of land commissioners. Said board may require, as a condition to such consent, that such portion of such relics, materials, or deposit as said board shall require, shall forever remain the property of the state of Wyoming.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-116 Protection of prehistoric ruins; penalty.

(a) Except as provided by subsections (d) and (e) of this section, any person violating any of the provisions of this act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) or more than one hundred dollars ($100.00), or imprisoned in the county jail not more than six (6) months, or by both fine and imprisonment, and shall forfeit to the state all articles and materials discovered by or through his efforts. (b) Persons holding permits or leases on state lands may not sublease or subcontract archeological or paleontological removal without prior written approval of the board. (c) All state leases are subject to inspection by state or county law enforcement agencies or their designees for violation of W.S. 36-1-114 and 36-1-115. (d) Any person who, for monetary gain or for commercial or any other purpose, removes any archeological or paleontological artifacts in violation of W.S. 36-1-114 or 36-1-115 with a cumulative value in excess of five hundred ($500.00), shall be guilty of a felony and upon conviction shall be fined up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), imprisoned for up to ten (10) years, or both. (e) Any person who breaks, breaks off, cracks, carves upon, writes, or otherwise marks upon or in any manner destroys, mutilates, injures, defaces, removes, displaces, mars or harms petroglyphs, pictographs or historic inscriptions without consent of the state board of land commissioners is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), imprisoned for not more than six (6) months, or both.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-117 Sale or trade of state lands; hearing upon request of county commissioners.

No sale or trade of any state land including state land currently held by the state of Wyoming shall be made without a public hearing in the county in which the land is located if a hearing is requested by the county commissioners.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-118 Sale of experimental farms and stations.

(a) The board of trustees of the University of Wyoming is authorized and empowered on behalf of the state to sell and to execute any document of title necessary to convey title to any agricultural experimental farm or station in Uinta county, in Laramie county and if in existence before January 1, 2003, in Goshen county, title to which is held in the name of the state of Wyoming, provided: (i) The sale is made for adequate consideration and complies with all statutory requirements; (ii) Proceeds of the sale shall be credited to the University of Wyoming.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-119 Posting notice of restrictions to public lands; restrictions; penalties.

(a) No person shall post a notice on any public land or on a public road as defined by W.S. 24-1-133(b) restricting access to public lands unless the restriction has been approved by the governing body having jurisdiction over the public land. (b) For purposes of this section "public land" means any land under the jurisdiction of the board of land commissioners or under the jurisdiction of any political subdivision of the state which the public is authorized to use without obtaining legal permission from a private landowner. (c) The governing body or its authorized representative having jurisdiction over the public land shall issue a written demand to any person who unlawfully posts a notice in violation of subsection (a) of this section directing that the notice be removed within three (3) days following receipt of the notice. The demand shall be delivered in person by a peace officer or mailed by both first class mail and certified mail return receipt requested to the person's last known mailing address. Any person who knowingly posts an illegal notice or who fails to remove an illegal notice within three (3) days after receiving the demand from the governing body is guilty of a misdemeanor. If the person cannot be personally served because he deliberately made himself unavailable for service, or refused to accept delivery of the demand by certified mail, then he shall be guilty of a misdemeanor if he fails to remove the illegal notice within five (5) days after the demand was mailed to him by the governing body. Any person convicted of a misdemeanor under this section shall be punished by a fine up to six hundred dollars ($600.00) for each day the person fails to remove the illegal notice. For a second or subsequent offense, the penalty shall be a fine of not more than six hundred dollars ($600.00) per day, and up to six (6) months in jail, or both. (d) It shall be a defense to any charge under this section, that severe weather or other circumstance not within control of the person charged prevented removal of the notice.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-120 Posting of public access to state lands; signage.

(a) The office of state lands and investments shall supervise the placement of signs on state lands readily identifiable by the office, using trained volunteers. The signs shall indicate that the land is administered by the board of land commissioners. (b) The signage shall be placed: (i) On identifiable state land that has legal access; (ii) To reasonably identify state land that is adjacent to, or contiguous with, private land and which is accessible to the public for hunting, fishing or recreation. (c) The signage shall include notice that: (i) Motorized vehicles shall be confined to established roads; and (ii) Use of the state land is subject to board of land commissioners' rules. (d) For purposes of this section, "state land" means any land under the jurisdiction of the board of land commissioners, which the public is authorized to use without obtaining legal permission from a private landowner.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-121 Conservation easements.

(a) Except for any conservation easement received or accepted by the board before the effective date of this act, the board shall not accept or receive any conservation easement pursuant to W.S. 34-1-202. (b) Except for any conservation easement received or accepted by the board before the effective date of this act, the board shall not be considered a "holder" pursuant to W.S. 34-1-201(b)(ii)(A). ARTICLES 2 - RESERVED ARTICLES 3 - RESERVED

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-401 Definitions.

(a) As used in this article: (i) "Division" means the Wyoming state forestry division of the office of state lands and investments; (ii) "Emergency fire" means a fire located in a rural area which is, or clearly threatens to be, beyond the fire control resources of the county responsible for suppression of the fire or the state if the fire is located on state lands; (iii) "Emergency fire suppression account" or "account" means the account created by W.S. 36-1-402; (iv) "Participating county" means a county which has entered into a contract with the division to participate in the emergency fire suppression account and has paid the assessments provided by W.S. 36-1-404.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-402 Emergency fire suppression account; creation; investment of funds; authorized expenditures; reversion of funds from division.

(a) There is created the emergency fire suppression account. The account shall include all legislative appropriations, all assessments paid into the account by participating counties and all income from investments of monies in the account. Appropriations to the account shall not lapse at the end of any fiscal period. (b) The state treasurer shall invest any portion of the funds in the account which the state forester determines is not needed for immediate use. Investments shall be made as authorized by W.S. 9-4-715(a), (d) and (e). (c) Upon written approval of the state forester, expenditures shall be made out of the account to participating counties and the division for the actual costs of suppressing emergency fires. (d) If the state forester determines monies in the account may be insufficient to make reimbursement for the full cost of suppressing all emergency fires occurring or which may occur during the year, he may delay paying reimbursement to any entity until the close of the program year at which time available monies shall be prorated among those entitled to reimbursement at an amount less than one hundred percent (100%). (e) Repealed by Laws 2017, ch. 87, § 1. (f) Notwithstanding W.S. 9-2-1008, 9-2-1012(e) and 9-4-207, general funds appropriated to the division which are unexpended and unobligated and which would otherwise lapse and revert pursuant to W.S. 9-4-207(a) at the end of a biennium shall revert to the emergency fire suppression account. This subsection shall not be construed to apply to any appropriation to a special revenue fund or revolving account within the division.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-403 Powers and duties of state forester.

(a) The state forester shall: (i) Administer the emergency fire suppression account; (ii) Enter into contracts on behalf of the division with counties desiring to participate in the account; (iii) Establish and collect assessments from participating counties in accordance with this article; (iv) Adopt rules governing the administration of the emergency fire suppression account and to carry out the purposes of this article.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-404 Participation by counties; assessments; withdrawal from participation; forfeiture of assessments for failure to pay assessments.

(a) Counties desiring to participate in the emergency fire suppression account shall enter into a written contract with the state forester and shall pay the assessments provided for in this section. (b) Each participating county shall pay an annual assessment to the account in an amount equal to: (i) Four-tenths of a cent ($.004) per acre for each acre of private land in the county as determined by reference to the current equality state almanac published by the department of administration and information; plus (ii) An amount equal to .00002 times the assessed valuation of the county. (c) Participation in the account shall be on a fiscal year basis and annual assessments shall be paid on or before July 15 of each year in which the county elects to participate in the account. (d) Repealed by Laws 2008, Ch. 8, § 2. (e) Any county electing to participate in the account in any year may become a participating county by paying an initial assessment equal to the annual assessment computed for that county under subsection (b) of this section multiplied by three (3). (f) Any county electing to withdraw from participation in the account or failing to pay the annual assessment when due shall forfeit all of its rights to the account and any assessments previously paid by that county shall remain in the account.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-501 Definitions.

(a) As used in this article: (i) "Division" means the Wyoming state forestry division of the office of state lands and investments; (ii) "Good neighbor authority" means an agreement between the division, the bureau of land management and the United States forest service to allow the state to perform forestry services on bureau of land management and forest service lands as specified in the agreement; (iii) "Wyoming state forestry good neighbor authority revolving account" or "account" means the account created by W.S. 36-1-502.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-502 Wyoming state forestry good neighbor authority revolving account; creation; investment of funds; authorized expenditures.

(a) There is created the Wyoming state forestry good neighbor authority revolving account. The account shall include all legislative appropriations, federal funds, county funds, partner funds, funds generated from good neighbor authority projects or other federally funded cooperative forest management projects, grants, gifts, transfers, bequests, donations and all income from investments of monies in the account. The state forester is specifically empowered to accept grants, gifts, transfers, bequests and donations for deposit in the account, including those which are limited in their purpose by the grantor except as provided in W.S. 36-1-503(a)(vi). If a contract is entered into pursuant to W.S. 36-1-503(a)(iii), funds in the account may be expanded on good neighbor authority projects prior to receipt of federal fund reimbursements. Funds deposited into the account are continuously appropriated to the state forester to be expended only as provided in this section. Unless otherwise specifically provided, appropriations to the account shall not lapse or revert at the end of any fiscal period. (b) Upon written approval of the state forester, expenditures shall be made out of the account for good neighbor authority projects, other cooperative forest management projects or hiring additional employees under W.S. 36-1-503(b).

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-503 Powers and duties of state forester.

(a) The state forester shall: (i) Administer the account; (ii) Ensure that all funds generated from good neighbor authority projects or other federally funded cooperative forest management projects are deposited in the account; (iii) Enter into contracts on behalf of the division for good neighbor authority projects or other federally funded cooperative forest management projects funded through the account; (iv) Adopt rules governing the administration of the account and to carry out the purposes of this article; (v) Have the authority to partner with one (1) or more counties on good neighbor authority projects or other cooperative forest management projects and disburse funds from the account for these purposes. (b) The state forester may hire additional employees as necessary to conduct good neighbor authority projects or other federally funded cooperative forest management projects funded through the account. Employees hired under this subsection shall be funded using funds deposited in the account.

Wyo. Stat. Ann. § 36-1-601 Forest health grant program; duties of state forester; account created; eligible entities; attorney general approval.

(a) There is created the forest health grant program. The grant program shall be administered by the state forester, who shall establish the application process and any other requirements of the grant program not otherwise provided by this section. (b) The state forester may only grant funds to nonprofit and governmental organizations for the purposes specified in this section. (c) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (d) of this section, grants under the forest health grant program shall pay for not more than seventy-five percent (75%) of the cost of an eligible forest health project as specified in this subsection. Any other source of funds, cash or in-kind contributions may be used as matching funds to cover the remainder of a project's costs and the state forester may require that matching funds be obligated to pay for a portion of any project. Forest health projects eligible for grant funding under this section shall be conducted on state, federal government, local government or private land, shall be necessary in the public interest and shall be designed to accomplish one (1) or more of the following: (i) Enhancement of water yield or quality; (ii) Reduction of the risk of catastrophic wildfire damage; (iii) Increased production of forest products; (iv) Improvement of habitat conditions for wildlife and livestock; (v) Any other project that is beneficial to forest health, that is substantially beneficial to the interest of the state and that has a public purpose as determined by the state forester. (d) Any grant under the forest health program that is used on federal land shall not pay for more than fifty percent (50%) of the cost of an eligible forest health project as specified under subsection (c) of this section. Any other source of funds, cash or in-kind contributions may be used as matching funds to cover the remainder of a project's costs and the state forester may require that matching funds be obligated to pay for a portion of any project. If a forest health project is conducted through good neighbor authority, receipts collected through implementation of the project may be used as matching funds under this subsection. (e) No forest health grant shall be made under this section without the attorney general's review and approval of the grant. (f) There is created the forest health grant program account. The account shall consist of those funds designated to the account by law. Funds in the account shall be used for grants authorized to be made under this section. Any person may also grant, give, transfer, bequest or donate funds to the account. Funds in the account shall be invested as provided by law. Any funds remaining in the account at the end of any fiscal year shall not lapse or revert as provided by W.S. 9-4-207 but shall remain in the account and be used to implement the purposes of this section. Accrued interest and other earnings on unexpended funds within the forest health grant program account shall be credited to the account. (g) The state forester shall annually report to the joint agriculture, state and public lands and water resources interim committee not later than September 1 on all grants awarded under this section including the amounts of the grants and the projects the grants were authorized to fund.
Source: Public.Resource.Org WY StatutesURL: https://unicourt.github.io/cic-code-wy/transforms/wy/ocwy/r78/gov.wy.code.title.36.htmlFetched: 6/28/2026

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