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School Trust Lands

A bill in the Minnesota legislature (S.F. 1889) requires that large areas of our State Forests, and possibly even protected places like Scientific and Natural Areas, be managed to maximize revenue, rather than in a balanced manner to sustain natural resources over the long-term. Special places that are currently protected and not allowed to be logged or mined, would have their protected status removed by the year 2016 if funds are not provided to compensate for their protection.

“School Trust Lands” are intended to support the education of the state’s school children. Revenue from School Trust lands provide less than a half-percent of what we spend on educating our children each year. Intensively logging, mining or developing these lands for short-term financial gain is not wise stewardship of our natural resources, and does not provide long-term benefit to our school children. And, removing protected status for some of Minnesota’s special places so that they can be logged or mined destroys a natural heritage legacy Minnesotans cherish.

Tell your legislators and the Governor to:
•Oppose SF 1889 and any legislation that requires economic exploitation of School Trust Lands to take precedence over prudent, sustainable management
• Oppose SF 1889 and any legislation that strips protections from certain School Trust Lands if the legislature doesn’t come up with funds to buy out the Trust interest within four years

School Trust Lands should not be subject to abusive resource extraction at the expense of future generations.

What are School Trust Lands?
According to the DNR, when Minnesota became a state in 1858, sections 16 and 36 of every township were granted to Minnesota from the federal government to support schools. Alternative sections, referred to as Indemnity Lands, were granted when sections 16 and 36 had already been claimed, were reserved for an Indian reservation, or were under water. The grant ultimately resulted in 2.9 million acres being given to the state for the use of the public schools. By 1900, much of this land had been sold to support public schools. Also included in school trust lands today are remaining lands from two other federal land grants: the Swampland grant of about 4.7 million acres in 1860, and the Internal Improvement grant of 500,000 acres in 1866. Today 2.5 million acres of school trust lands and an additional 1 million acres of mineral rights remain and are managed by the DNR.

The DNR manages the school trust lands for maximum long-term economic return under sound natural resource and conservation practices. Revenues generated from school trust lands are credited to the permanent school fund which is managed by the State Board of Investment. Interest and dividends from the permanent school fund are transferred twice a year, by Minnesota Management & Budget, to all school districts of the state.

Where are School Trust Lands?
The vast majority of school trust lands are concentrated in the northeast quarter of the state. Much of the land is

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