Trust Lands office reports modest grazing‑fee increase and right‑of‑entry interest for industrial parcels
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Summary
The Trust Lands Administration reported a ~2.5% increase in grazing assessments (standard scattered sections $7.42/AUM; block assessments $12.91/AUM) and said right‑of‑entry permits for industrial manufacturing on parcels near Sunnyside and Green River were submitted for initial review.
Brian Torgerson, representing the Trust Lands Administration (speaker 8), briefed the council on recent property and grazing items. He said coal‑tract transfers (Bronco to Emery Valley Resources) and a royalty‑rate reduction for Fossil Rock mine rehabilitation were completed, and the office filed right‑of‑entry permit requests that could lead to industrial leases in Sunnyside and near Green River.
Torgerson also summarized the 2026–27 grazing fee analysis: the standard scattered assessment rose to $7.32 plus a $0.10 weed fee (total $7.42/AUM), while block (large contiguous) assessments rose to $12.81 plus $0.10 (total $12.91/AUM). He said the calculations use National Agricultural Statistics Service data (36% factor for scattered sections; block assessments use a different comparator) and represent about a 2.5% increase over last year.
Council members raised equity concerns comparing public allotments to private irrigated lands; Torgerson noted the program has historically been accepted by many grazers and that turnover (permits surrendered) is rare. He encouraged grazers to contact the Trust Lands office for specific questions and said the office would follow up on permit and lease details as they progress.
Why it matters: The grazing fee changes affect permit holders and local ranch economics; proposed industrial leasing of Trust Lands parcels could lead to future land‑use changes and public review.