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DNR Uplands report: FY25 gross revenue fell; management accounts, visitor use and program costs outlined
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Summary
Department staff told the Board of Natural Resources that State Uplands gross revenue fell to about $198 million in FY25, with roughly $131 million distributed to beneficiaries and about $67 million retained in management accounts. Staff highlighted decreased forestry revenue and outlined account balances, program costs and visitor use statistics.
Dwayne Emmons, assistant deputy supervisor for State Uplands, and Candace Montoya, the program’s budget manager, presented the board with a fiscal snapshot showing a dip in Uplands revenue driven largely by reduced forestry removals and lower timber values.
Montoya said the State Uplands operating budget is about $108 million and that FY25 expenditures totaled roughly $92.5 million. “For fiscal year 2025, we actually ended at $34,100,000 at the end [of the Resource Management Cost Account],” she said while describing fund balances and how those accounts interact to fund trust management work (Candace Montoya, budget presentation).
On the revenue side, staff reported roughly $198 million in gross revenue for Uplands in FY25; approximately $131 million was distributed to beneficiaries and a little over $67 million was retained in DNR management accounts. Emmons said timber remains the dominant asset class, accounting for about 70% of gross revenue on roughly two million acres of forested trust lands.
The presenters walked the board through multiple funds: RMCA (federally granted trust management), the Forest Development Account (county trust lands), the Forest Health Revolving Account (east-side forest health treatments) and specialized revolving accounts that pay for access‑road maintenance, nursery operations and recreation. Montoya noted some accounts are subject to one‑time provisos that do not roll over, while core trust management accounts generally do.
Staff also discussed operational dynamics: timber revenue is realized on removals (typically two or more years after a sale is awarded), and account balances reflect past sales and current removals. Emmons emphasized that some declines in FY25 stem from timing of removals and lower removal values rather than immediate board decisions.
During Q&A commissioners asked for clarity on visitor metrics (staff clarified the figure cited—20 million unique visits refers to visits, not distinct people) and whether management rates are intended to cover costs. Staff said management rates are set by statute and board policy, and that the department generally aims to cover costs while returning funds to beneficiaries.
Why it matters: Uplands revenues flow to school construction accounts, county and local taxing districts, and other beneficiaries. The FY25 decline in forestry revenue and the health of revolving accounts were cited in public comment and framed the board's later consideration of timber sale approvals.
