Law

Title 36 Public Land

Wyoming · 36 · statute

Ask the law about thisMore laws of WyomingFor machines: Markdown

Open at the publisher →

The publisher does not state since when this version applies. Read on 2026-11-07.

Copy read on 2026-11-07. The page it was read from

sha256 2395855d4dbfe2b97ff43a0dc597cbc58d5e98db1c9022377fddadf24aa679b1

Contents: 290 provisions
  1. 36-1-101. Definitions.
  2. 36-1-102. Recording and filing documents of title.
  3. 36-1-103. Computation of time after registered notice.
  4. 36-1-104. Acceptance of school lands.
  5. 36-1-105. Exchange of land granted by federal government.
  6. 36-1-106. Exchange of state-owned and federal-owned lands.
  7. 36-1-107. Exchange of state-owned and privately owned lands.
  8. 36-1-108. Pole Mountain district of Medicine Bow national
  9. 36-1-109. Pole Mountain district of Medicine Bow national forest; acceptance by state.
  10. 36-1-110. Authority of director to effect and complete exchanges.
  11. 36-1-111. Orders, rules and regulations relative to exchange of lands.
  12. 36-1-112. Cutting of timber by lessee of state lands prohibited; general penalty for violations; damages.
  13. 36-1-113. Repealed By Laws 1997, ch. 200, § 2.
  14. 36-1-114. Protection of prehistoric ruins; permits to excavate, regulations and violations.
  15. 36-1-115. Protection of prehistoric ruins; consent to removal from state.
  16. 36-1-116. Protection of prehistoric ruins; penalty.
  17. 36-1-117. Sale or trade of state lands; hearing upon request of county commissioners.
  18. 36-1-118. Sale of experimental farms and stations.
  19. 36-1-119. Posting notice of restrictions to public lands; restrictions; penalties.
  20. 36-1-120. Posting of public access to state lands; signage.
  21. 36-1-121. Conservation easements.
  22. 36-1-401. Definitions.
  23. 36-1-402. Emergency fire suppression account; creation;
  24. 36-1-403. Powers and duties of state forester.
  25. 36-1-404. Participation by counties; assessments;
  26. 36-1-501. Definitions.
  27. 36-1-502. Wyoming state forestry good neighbor authority
  28. 36-1-503. Powers and duties of state forester.
  29. 36-1-601. Forest health grant program; duties of state
  30. 36-2-101. Composition; powers generally.
  31. 36-2-102. Authority to administer oaths.
  32. 36-2-103. President; quorum; duties of employees.
  33. 36-2-104. Meetings; rules, regulations and forms of procedure; records.
  34. 36-2-105. Repealed By Laws 1997, ch. 200, § 2.
  35. 36-2-106. Repealed By Laws 1997, ch. 200, § 2.
  36. 36-2-107. Rules and regulations; general penalty for violations; enforcement.
  37. 36-2-108. Appointment of state forester; qualifications; duties.
  38. 36-2-109. Fire protection revolving account.
  39. 36-2-110. Interstate compact for the prevention and control of forest fires.
  40. 36-2-201. Questions may be reserved to district court.
  41. 36-2-202. Certified copies of papers to be sent to court; docket fee.
  42. 36-2-203. When issues made up before removal.
  43. 36-2-204. When issues not made up before removal.
  44. 36-2-205. Determination, certification, recordation and effect.
  45. 36-2-206. Appeals to district court.
  46. 36-2-207. Written notice of intent to appeal; bond.
  47. 36-2-208. Transmission of evidence to district court; hearing on appeal.
  48. 36-2-209. Notice of perfected appeal; proof of service.
  49. 36-2-210. Hearing and trial upon appeal; appeal to supreme court.
  50. 36-3-101. Appointment; term; salary; removal.
  51. 36-3-102. Duties generally.
  52. 36-3-103. Selection and location of lands.
  53. 36-3-104. Notice of selection.
  54. 36-3-105. Annual report.
  55. 36-3-106. Arid land fund.
  56. 36-3-107. Oaths; acknowledgments of written instruments; depositions.
  57. 36-3-108. Official seal.
  58. 36-3-109. Disposal of slash on timber lands; forestry performance account.
  59. 36-3-110. Fees.
  60. 36-3-111. Appointment of deputy; compensation.
  61. 36-4-101. Commission established; composition; appointment
  62. 36-4-102. Advisory board.
  63. 36-4-103. What constitutes outdoor recreation areas and facilities.
  64. 36-4-104. Powers; interpretive service agreements.
  65. 36-4-105. Naming of sites and parks.
  66. 36-4-106. Plan for acquisition and development of
  67. 36-4-107. Authority to lease; exchange of lands and contracts with United States.
  68. 36-4-108. Acquisition and supervision of historical parks and sites.
  69. 36-4-109. Contracts and agreements with United States for improvements and maintenance.
  70. 36-4-110. Power to lease or rent concessions.
  71. 36-4-111. Authority to receive and expend monies; investments.
  72. 36-4-112. Receipt and expenditure of federal funds; use of funds from land and water conservation fund.
  73. 36-4-113. Private improvement permits.
  74. 36-4-114. Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 44, § 3.
  75. 36-4-115. Rules and regulations; general penalty for violations.
  76. 36-4-116. Repealed by Laws 1982, ch. 48, § 3.
  77. 36-4-117. Jurisdiction over grazing districts.
  78. 36-4-118. Compensation prohibited; per diem and travel expenses permitted.
  79. 36-4-119. Existing agreements binding; successor to records and duties; taxation exemption.
  80. 36-4-120. Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 44, § 3.
  81. 36-4-121. Permits to use state parks, recreation areas and historic sites.
  82. 36-4-122. Administration of Hot Springs state park.
  83. 36-4-123. Selling agents for registrations, licenses and permits.
  84. 36-4-201. Short title.
  85. 36-4-202. Definitions.
  86. 36-4-203. Wyoming outdoor recreation and tourism trust
  87. 36-4-204. Wyoming outdoor recreation and tourism trust
  88. 36-4-205. Grant applications; eligible entities.
  89. 36-4-206. Audits.
  90. 36-5-101. Qualifications of lessees; lease terms; rental.
  91. 36-5-102. Maximum term of agricultural or grazing lease.
  92. 36-5-103. Application for lease; cancellation of application.
  93. 36-5-104. Time for filing renewal applications; cure
  94. 36-5-105. Criteria for leasing; preferences; assignments,
  95. 36-5-106. Richard Bridge historical park; Oregon Trail
  96. 36-5-107. Preference in granting leases on exchanged lands.
  97. 36-5-108. Even rental offers.
  98. 36-5-109. When rental due; procedure upon failure to pay.
  99. 36-5-110. Right to make and remove improvements.
  100. 36-5-111. Payment for or removal of existing improvements.
  101. 36-5-112. Form and execution of lease; bond.
  102. 36-5-113. Cancellation of leases.
  103. 36-5-114. Leasing for industrial, commercial, residential
  104. 36-5-115. Leasing for industrial, commercial and recreational purposes; "recreational purposes" defined.
  105. 36-5-116. Leasing for industrial, commercial and recreational purposes; assignment or transfer.
  106. 36-5-117. Lessee's liability.
  107. 36-5-118. Renewal of state land leases and rental payments.
  108. 36-6-101. Terms of leases; extensions; lessees specified;
  109. 36-6-102. Submission, custody and confidentiality of subsurface log reports.
  110. 36-6-103. Existing oil and gas leases ratified.
  111. 36-6-104. Payment for improvements; "improvements" defined.
  112. 36-6-105. Inspection reports.
  113. 36-6-201. Authority to lease or otherwise contract.
  114. 36-6-202. Power to modify or change leases or contracts.
  115. 36-6-203. Rules and regulations; requisites of leases or contracts.
  116. 36-6-204. Existing leases, contracts and agreements validated.
  117. 36-6-301. Definitions.
  118. 36-6-302. "Return on investment" deduction not allowed for calculation of royalty.
  119. 36-7-101. Acceptance of federal grants.
  120. 36-7-102. Selection, management and disposal of lands.
  121. 36-7-103. Institution of legal proceedings.
  122. 36-7-104. Disposition of forfeitures.
  123. 36-7-201. Meetings; president; duty; quorum.
  124. 36-7-202. Special meetings; duties of secretary.
  125. 36-7-203. Office; duties of director.
  126. 36-7-204. Rules; copies of maps, plats and contracts; annual report of contractors; waiver of rules.
  127. 36-7-205. Duties of employees; fees.
  128. 36-7-206. Annual report.
  129. 36-7-207. Grants of rights-of-way to counties.
  130. 36-7-301. Requisites; contents.
  131. 36-7-302. Guaranty; forfeiture.
  132. 36-7-303. Application for permit to appropriate water.
  133. 36-7-304. Examination.
  134. 36-7-305. Submission for consideration; approval.
  135. 36-7-306. Notification of nonapproval; resubmission.
  136. 36-7-320. Duty to contract; contents; withdrawal of land and filing of bond necessary.
  137. 36-7-321. Terms.
  138. 36-7-322. Notice upon failure to fulfill; sale of incompleted works; option to complete.
  139. 36-7-323. State not responsible for contractor failures.
  140. 36-7-324. Maps; lands subject to rights-of-way.
  141. 36-7-325. Inspection of completed systems; application for patent.
  142. 36-7-326. Assessments for operation; failure to pay; enforcement of lien; costs and fees; injunction bond.
  143. 36-7-401. Notice lands open for settlement.
  144. 36-7-402. Proceeds earmarked for reclamation.
  145. 36-7-403. Application for entry; certificate of location; payments.
  146. 36-7-404. Final proof of reclamation; fee and last payment; right to patent; failure to timely prove.
  147. 36-7-405. Issuance of patent to heir.
  148. 36-7-406. Final proof by heirs; devise or descent of entry.
  149. 36-7-407. Issuance of patents.
  150. 36-7-501. When water rights attach to land.
  151. 36-7-502. First and prior lien on water right.
  152. 36-7-503. Recording of contract; foreclosure of lien.
  153. 36-7-504. Notice and place of foreclosure sale; duties of sheriff; limitation on bids.
  154. 36-7-505. Redemption.
  155. 36-7-506. Redemption; recording certificate of sale.
  156. 36-7-507. Redemption; issuance of deed.
  157. 36-7-508. Proceeds of foreclosure sale; fees of sheriff.
  158. 36-7-509. Authority to purchase water rights; lease and sale; disposition of moneys received.
  159. 36-7-510. Filing of reports for future use.
  160. 36-8-101. Repealed by Laws 1982, ch. 75, § 5.
  161. 36-8-102. Repealed by Laws 1982, ch. 75, § 5.
  162. 36-8-103. Removal of plants or structures prohibited; exception.
  163. 36-8-104. Use of firearms, fireworks, explosives and weapons prohibited; exceptions.
  164. 36-8-105. Penalty for violating W.S. 36-8-103 through 36-8-105.
  165. 36-8-106. Supervision of museums; legends and historical information.
  166. 36-8-107. Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 44, § 3.
  167. 36-8-201. Short title.
  168. 36-8-202. Definitions.
  169. 36-8-203. Creation; composition; qualification;
  170. 36-8-204. Officers, agents and employees.
  171. 36-8-205. General powers.
  172. 36-8-206. Exercise of powers.
  173. 36-8-207. Authority to maintain and operate program.
  174. 36-8-208. Consent of legislature necessary to execute contract.
  175. 36-8-209. Revolving account.
  176. 36-8-210. Repealed By Laws 1999, ch. 149, § 1.
  177. 36-8-211. Construction of provisions.
  178. 36-8-230. Authority to issue; terms.
  179. 36-8-231. Trust agreements generally.
  180. 36-8-232. Rights of bondholders and trustees.
  181. 36-8-233. Bonds and expenses not to be indebtedness of state or political subdivisions.
  182. 36-8-234. Bonds deemed legal investments and deposits.
  183. 36-8-235. Pledge by state to bondholders.
  184. 36-8-236. Moneys deemed trust funds.
  185. 36-8-237. Statutory authority for issuance of bonds and fixing of charges.
  186. 36-8-238. Existing statutory powers.
  187. 36-8-301. Acceptance of Big Horn Hot Springs.
  188. 36-8-302. Name of park.
  189. 36-8-303. Disposition of monies received.
  190. 36-8-304. Public baths and public campgrounds.
  191. 36-8-305. Adjudication of water right for flow of Big Horn Hot Springs.
  192. 36-8-306. Transfer of lands to United States.
  193. 36-8-307. Control of use of lands; transfer of control to
  194. 36-8-308. Inspection for health purposes.
  195. 36-8-309. Rules and regulations; adoption, penalty for violation and cancellation of leases.
  196. 36-8-310. Rules and regulations; publication and distribution.
  197. 36-8-311. Superintendent.
  198. 36-8-312. Repealed by Laws 1993, ch. 69, § 2.
  199. 36-8-313. Attendant for free bathhouse.
  200. 36-8-314. Gambling prohibited; sale of alcoholic beverages regulated; violations.
  201. 36-8-315. Penalty for public health violations.
  202. 36-8-316. Liability and penalty for livestock roaming at will.
  203. 36-8-317. Repealed by Laws 1982, ch. 48, § 3.
  204. 36-8-318. Repealed by Laws 2019, ch. 35, § 2.
  205. 36-8-319. Repealed by Laws 2019, ch. 35, § 2.
  206. 36-8-320. Repealed by Laws 2019, ch. 35, § 2.
  207. 36-8-401. Purchase of hot springs; description of land.
  208. 36-8-402. Control and use of property; transfer of control
  209. 36-8-403. Sale of lands and improvements; authority.
  210. 36-8-404. Sale of lands and improvements; conduct of sale.
  211. 36-8-405. Lease of lands and improvements.
  212. 36-8-406. Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 44, § 3.
  213. 36-8-407. Repealed by Laws 1990, ch. 44, § 3.
  214. 36-8-501. South Pass City state historic site.
  215. 36-8-502. Corporate powers.
  216. 36-8-601. Declaration of Curt Gowdy state park.
  217. 36-8-602. Administration.
  218. 36-8-701. Declaration of Sinks Canyon state park; disposal of land.
  219. 36-8-702. Administration.
  220. 36-8-801. Declaration of area as Fort Fred Steele state historic site; administration; safety facilities.
  221. 36-8-901. Repealed By Laws 2010, Ch. 11, § 3.
  222. 36-8-902. Designation of lands as Bear River state park; park administration and operation.
  223. 36-8-1001. Wyoming Territorial Prison state historic site.
  224. 36-8-1002. Transfer of lands; site administration; lease and contract agreements.
  225. 36-8-1101. Repealed by Laws 2009, Ch. 168, § 207.
  226. 36-8-1102. Repealed by Laws 2009, Ch. 168, § 207.
  227. 36-8-1201. Sale of land to town of Guernsey.
  228. 36-8-1202. Sale of land to town of Newcastle.
  229. 36-8-1203. Sale of land to Uinta County.
  230. 36-8-1204. Fort Bridger state historic site; acceptance of lands.
  231. 36-8-1301. Repealed By Laws 2008, Ch. 63, § 2.
  232. 36-8-1401. Repealed By Laws 2009, Ch. 6, § 2.
  233. 36-8-1402. Wyoming historic mine trail and byway system;
  234. 36-8-1403. Repealed By Laws 2009, Ch. 6, § 2.
  235. 36-8-1501. State park designation; state historic site
  236. 36-8-1601. Authorizing lease or use of Quebec 1 missile
  237. 36-8-1602. Administration; fees.
  238. 36-8-1701. Ranch A account; use of funds.
  239. 36-9-101. Authority; restrictions.
  240. 36-9-102. Manner of sale; minimum price.
  241. 36-9-103. Appraisers for improvements.
  242. 36-9-104. Advertisement.
  243. 36-9-105. Purchaser to pay owner appraised value of improvements; receipt.
  244. 36-9-106. Place of sale; execution of leases.
  245. 36-9-107. Terms of payment.
  246. 36-9-108. "Amortization plan" defined.
  247. 36-9-109. Certificate of purchase; issuance and contents.
  248. 36-9-110. Certificate of purchase; conversion of outstanding certificates; fee.
  249. 36-9-111. Certificate of purchase; loss or wrongful detention.
  250. 36-9-112. Granting of patents; reservation of minerals.
  251. 36-9-113. Deposition of moneys.
  252. 36-9-114. Refund of money when paid by mistake.
  253. 36-9-115. Determination of claims; rules and regulations against fraud.
  254. 36-9-116. Trespass.
  255. 36-9-117. Institution of actions.
  256. 36-9-118. Rights-of-way for public conveyances.
  257. 36-9-119. Rights of ditch owners.
  258. 36-9-120. Rights-of-way to counties.
  259. 36-9-121. County and municipal roads on state lands; easements granted; duties.
  260. 36-10-101. Authority to acquire state lands; reservation of mineral rights.
  261. 36-10-102. Jurisdiction ceded to United States.
  262. 36-10-103. Retention of concurrent jurisdiction by state.
  263. 36-10-104. When jurisdiction vests; exoneration from taxes, assessments and other charges.
  264. 36-10-105. Rights-of-way.
  265. 36-10-106. Yellowstone National Park; reservation of jurisdiction by United States.
  266. 36-10-107. Yellowstone National Park; boundary revision.
  267. 36-10-108. Yellowstone National Park; jurisdiction ceded to state.
  268. 36-10-109. Yellowstone National Park; acceptance of jurisdiction by state.
  269. 36-10-201. Present funds to be paid to treasurer of Teton county.
  270. 36-10-202. Subsequent funds received to be paid to treasurer of Teton county.
  271. 36-10-203. Crediting and distribution of funds received by treasurer of Teton county.
  272. 36-11-101. Amended and renumbered as 33-29-140 By Laws 1997, ch. 116, § 2.
  273. 36-11-102. Amended and renumbered as 33-29-141 By Laws 1997, ch. 116, § 2.
  274. 36-11-103. Amended and renumbered as 33-29-142 By Laws 1997, ch. 116, § 2.
  275. 36-11-104. Renumbered as 33-29-143 By Laws 1997, ch. 116, § 3.
  276. 36-11-105. Amended and renumbered as 33-29-144 By Laws 1997, ch. 116, § 2.
  277. 36-11-106. Amended and renumbered as 33-29-145 By Laws 1997, ch. 116, § 2.
  278. 36-11-107. Amended and renumbered as 33-11-146 By Laws 1997, ch. 116, § 2.
  279. 36-11-108. Renumbered as 33-29-147 By Laws 1997, ch. 116, § 3.
  280. 36-11-109. Amended and renumbered as 33-29-148 By Laws 1997, ch. 116, § 2.
  281. 36-11-110. Renumbered as 33-29-149 By Laws 1997, ch. 116, § 3.
  282. 36-12-101. Legislative determinations.
  283. 36-12-102. Management.
  284. 36-12-103. Property of the state.
  285. 36-12-104. Existing rights under federal law.
  286. 36-12-105. Interstate compacts.
  287. 36-12-106. Multiple use.
  288. 36-12-107. Proceeds to the general fund.
  289. 36-12-108. Enforcement of provisions; civil actions; penalties.
  290. 36-12-109. Definition.

Proposed changes to this act

No one has proposed a change to this act yet.

290 provisions

36-11-110. Renumbered as 33-29-149 By Laws 1997, ch. 116, § 3.

Renumbered as 33-29-149 By Laws 1997, ch. 116, § 3.

Propose a change

36-12-101. Legislative determinations.

(a) The legislature determines: (i) The intent of the framers of the constitution of the United States was to guarantee to each of the states sovereignty over all matters within its boundaries except for those powers specifically granted to the United States as agent of the states; (ii) The attempted imposition upon the state of Wyoming by the congress of the United States of a requirement in the Statehood Act that the state of Wyoming and its people "disclaim all right and title to any lands or other property not granted or confirmed to the state or its political subdivisions by or under the authority of this act, the right or title to which is held by the United States or is subject to disposition by the United States", as a condition precedent to acceptance of Wyoming into the Union, was an act beyond the power of the congress of the United States and is thus void; (iii) The purported right of ownership and control of the unappropriated public land in the state of Wyoming by the United States is without foundation and violates the clear intent of the constitution of the United States; and (iv) The exercise of that dominion and control of the public land in the state of Wyoming by the United States works a severe, continuous and debilitating hardship upon the people of the state of Wyoming.

Propose a change

36-12-102. Management.

(a) Upon transfer to the state of Wyoming [of] the jurisdiction and ownership of lands and mineral resources subject to this act, the board shall manage such in an orderly manner in trust for the optimum benefit and use of all the people of Wyoming and in conformity with established concepts of multiple use and sustained yield which will permit the development of uses for agriculture, grazing, recreation, minerals, timber, and the development, production and transmission of energy and other public utility services. It shall be managed in such a manner as to permit the conservation and protection of watersheds and wildlife habitat, and historic, scenic, fish and wildlife, recreational and natural values. (b) The board of land commissioners shall develop a plan for the transfer and management of lands and minerals subject to this act. This plan will be submitted to the governor and legislature prior to January 1, 1983 and will be subject to their approval. Such a management plan shall consider: (i) Management of the land pursuant to subsection (a); (ii) Policy and program regarding disposal, lease or exchange of any lands or resources acquired pursuant to this act; (iii) Policy and program regarding public access to use of such lands; (iv) Conservation of lands for wildlife habitat or recreational purposes; and (v) Program regarding use or transfer of lands to municipalities and other governmental entities for public purposes. (c) As used in this section: (i) Sustained yield means the maintenance of a high-level annual or regular periodic output of the various renewable resources of the state lands consistent with multiple use; (ii) Multiple use means the management of the land in a combination of balanced and diverse resource uses that takes into account the long-term needs for renewable and nonrenewable resources, including but not limited to recreation, range, timber, minerals, watershed, wildlife and fish, natural, scenic, scientific and historical values, and the coordinated management of the resources without permanent impairment of the productivity of the land or the quality of the environment.

Propose a change

36-12-103. Property of the state.

Subject to valid existing rights of applicants for land, after March 30, 1980, all federal land in the state except as set forth in W.S. 36-12-109 and all water and mineral rights appurtenant not previously appropriated are the exclusive property of the state and subject to its jurisdiction and control.

Propose a change

36-12-104. Existing rights under federal law.

Until equivalent measures are enacted by the legislature, the rights and privileges of the people of this state granted under the provisions of existing federal law are preserved under administration by the board of land commissioners.

Propose a change

36-12-105. Interstate compacts.

Land in the state which has been administered by the United States under interstate compacts will continue to be administered by the state in conformity with those compacts.

Propose a change

36-12-106. Multiple use.

The land shall be used to foster, promote and encourage the optimum development of the state's human, industrial, mineral, agricultural, water, wildlife and wildlife habitat, timber and recreational resources.

Propose a change

36-12-107. Proceeds to the general fund.

The proceeds of sales, fees, rents, royalties or other receipts from the land paid to the state under this act shall be deposited in the general fund.

Propose a change

36-12-108. Enforcement of provisions; civil actions; penalties.

(a) The state has exclusive jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of this act. (b) An individual may institute a civil action to recover damages for injury or loss sustained as the result of a violation of the provisions of this act. (c) Any person who attempts to exercise jurisdiction over land secured under this act in a manner not permitted by the laws of the state is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not less than two (2) years nor more than ten (10) years.

Propose a change

36-12-109. Definition.

(a) As used in this act "land" means all land and water within the exterior boundaries of the state of Wyoming except land and water: (i) To which title is held by a private person or entity; (ii) To which title was held by the state or a municipality in the state before March 1, 1980; (iii) Which is controlled by the United States department of defense on March 1, 1980; (iv) Which was a national park, national monument, land held in trust for Indians, wildlife refuge or wilderness area established prior to January 1, l980.

Propose a change

← Find another law