The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources finalized the purchase of a roughly 50,000-acre parcel of land in the Book Cliffs roadless area on Thursday, officially adding the property to an existing wildlife management area in northeastern Utah.
Details of the land acquisition
The 50,608-acre parcel, located in the roadless area of northern Grand County, was previously owned by the Utah School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration. Following the acquisition, the land will be integrated into the existing 6,929-acre Little Creek Wildlife Management Area and renamed the Book Cliffs Roadless Wildlife Management Area, according to a June 18 announcement from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources.
Funding source for the purchase
The purchase was made possible by $50 million allocated to the DWR during the 2025 legislative session. These funds were specifically designated for the acquisition of large trust land parcels to ensure long-term public access for hunting and fishing, as well as the protection of various habitats.
Importance of critical wildlife habitat
DWR Deputy Director Michael Canning stated that the property provides critical habitat for several species, including elk, deer, bison, black bear, and Colorado River cutthroat trout. He noted that securing this area was essential to ensuring it remains available for both wildlife and the public.
Legislative changes enabling the sale
A 2024 law passed by the Utah Legislature enabled the Trust Lands Administration to execute direct sales to the Utah Department of Natural Resources. This legislative change allowed the DWR to acquire this specific block of land, preserving an area that has been used by the public for decades.
Benefits for public school funds
Michelle McConkie, Executive Director of the Trust Lands Administration, said the sale maximizes long-term returns for the beneficiaries of the Public School Trust. She explained that an analysis showed selling the property at fair market value and investing the proceeds into the Permanent State School Fund would generate significantly greater returns than continued ownership.
Financial strategy for land assets
McConkie described the transaction as a way to convert a remote, underperforming asset into a diversified financial investment. She added that the sale allows the administration to fulfill its fiduciary obligations while providing stronger, more reliable returns for Utah schools for generations.
Despite the transfer of surface ownership, the Trust Lands Administration will retain all subsurface mineral rights. This includes the necessary access to develop those resources in the future if doing so becomes financially viable. According to McConkie, this structure allows beneficiaries to receive immediate cash from the sale while preserving the potential value of the mineral estate.
Liz Mumford, Director of the School and Institutional Trust Beneficiaries’ Advocacy Office, said her office has monitored the transparency of the policy development for large land sales, as well as the due diligence of the appraisal process. She noted that the infusion of nearly $30 million into the permanent fund is expected to bolster annual distributions to public schools.
State legislators expressed support for the deal, viewing it as a dual victory for conservation and education. Senator Scott Sandall stated that the purchase ensures public access to the Book Cliffs for families while strengthening the school trust fund. Representative Casey Snider called the acquisition a once-in-a-generation opportunity to permanently preserve public access to significant Utah landscapes.
The property becomes part of Utah's 150 wildlife management areas. These areas are utilized not only for hunting, fishing, and recreation but also to help mitigate wildlife depredation on private property and provide essential winter ranges and feeding grounds for big game species.
