In Utah, the Utah Department of Natural Resources (“Department”) is responsible for ensuring that Utah’s natural resources are protected, conserved, and used wisely for the benefit of citizens of the state. The Department was established pursuant to Utah Code Ann. § 79-2-101. The mission of the Department is to sustain and enhance Utah’s quality of life today and tomorrow through the coordinated and balanced stewardship of our natural resources.
The Department is lead by an executive director who is appointed by the governor of Utah. The Department consists of seven divisions namely:
- Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands
- Division of Oil, Gas, and Mining
- Division of State Parks and Recreation
- Division of Water Resources
- Division of Water Rights
- Division of Wildlife Resources
- Utah Geological Survey
Each division is responsible for managing various aspects of Utah’s natural resources. The Department and its divisions are headquartered in Salt Lake City and have offices located throughout the state.
The following are some divisions of the Department:
The Division of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands -It manages, sustains, and strengthens Utah’s forests, rangelands, sovereign lands, and watersheds for its citizens and visitors.
The Division of Oil, Gas and Mining – It regulates exploration for and development of Utah’s oil, gas, coal, and other mineral resources. When exploration and developmental activities are completed, the division ensures that oil and gas wells are properly abandoned and mining sites are satisfactorily reclaimed.
The Division of State Parks and Recreation – It manages 43 state parks in Utah, from Bear Lake State Park at the Utah/Idaho border to the Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum deep in the Four Corners region, and everywhere in between[i].
The Division of Water Resources – It is one of seven agencies of the Department and is the water resources authority for the state of Utah. The Board is the policy-making body of the division.
The Utah Division of Water Rights – It is an agency of the Utah State Government within the Department that administers the appropriation and distribution of the State’s valuable water resources.
The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) – It is part of the Department. In addition to managing and protecting Utah’s wildlife, we manage hunting and fishing opportunities within the state.
The Utah Geological Survey[ii] – It is a division of the department that provides timely scientific information about Utah’s geologic environment, resources, and hazards.
Utah Department of Natural Resources
[i] Utah Code Ann. § 79-4-301.
[ii] Utah Code Ann. § 79-3-101.
