WELCOME TO THE NORTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRUST LANDS
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT IN
FUNDING K-12 EDUCATION IN NORTH DAKOTA
View available school trust land tracts, minimum bid amounts, county auction details, and more.
Submit information online to obtain easements, surface damage agreements, and other permits.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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Notice of Leonardite Lease Applications
Monday, June 9, 2025 at 07:00 am - Monday, June 23, 2025 at 05:00 pm
Categories: Land Board, MineralsThe State of North Dakota, acting by and through the Board of University and School Lands and its agent, the Commissioner of University and School Lands, hereby gives notice that it has received Leonardite Lease applications from American Colloid Company for the following tracts . . .
Upcoming Oil & Gas Lease Auction
Friday, August 1, 2025 at 08:00 am - 05:00 pm
Categories: MineralsThe next 2025 Oil & Gas Lease Auction
The next Department of Trust Lands oil & gas lease auction is expected to be held in the fall or winter of this year (2025).
Auction dates and the nomination deadline are to be determined, but nominations can be submitted now at https://www.land.nd.gov/Minerals/LeaseSearch.
Please check our website again for further updates.
RECENT NEWS
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SPRING 2025 SURFACE LEASE AUCTION RESULTS
Monday, March 31, 2025 at 01:00 am
The Department of Trust Lands on behalf of the Board of University & School Lands has concluded the spring auction season.
2025 County Rents and Prices Survey Available Now
Tuesday, March 25, 2025 at 03:00 pm
The Most Recent Survey - 2025 County Rents and Prices Survey
Last Year's Survey - 2024 County Rents and Prices Survey
Past Surveys can be found under the Resources tab.
Record Distributions for 2025-2027 Biennium
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
NEWS: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – DECEMBER 11, 2024
Board of University and School Lands Announces Record Distributions for 2025-2027 Biennium
Bismarck, ND – On behalf of the Board of University & School Lands, the Department of Trust Lands is pleased to announce historic distributions for the upcoming 2025-2027 biennium, reflecting a significant increase in asset values. The Board, in close collaboration with Trust Lands staff, has carefully managed assets including over 700,000 surface acres, 2.6 million mineral acres, and 13 permanent trusts. This prudent management has preserved the integrity of the assets while driving significant growth, leading to a 17% biennial increase in overall distributions to fund beneficiaries.
This record growth stems from a powerful combination of factors, including $2 billion in oil and gas royalties generated over the last five years from nearly 10,000 wells, agricultural rents, easement revenues, and a well-diversified $7.4 billion investment portfolio, all of which directly strengthen the funding of education in North Dakota both now and for future generations. The Common Schools Trust Fund, with a June 30, 2024 value of $7 billion, makes up the vast majority of the Land Board’s investment portfolio.
The Department of Trust Lands will distribute nearly $620 million dollars over the next two years to the following beneficiaries:
- Common Schools Trust Fund (K-12 Public Education) - $584,677,350
- North Dakota State University - $8,770,000
- University of North Dakota - $6,948,000
- Youth Correctional Center - $3,136,000
- State College of Science - $2,570,284
- School for the Deaf - $2,388,000
- State Hospital - $1,976,284
- School for the Blind - $1,936,284
- Valley City State University - $1,566,000
- Mayville State University - $1,102,000
- Veterans Home - $994,284
- Dickinson State University – $406,284
- Minot State University – $406,284
- Dakota College at Bottineau - $406,284
"We are proud to announce record distributions, demonstrating the Land Board’s ongoing commitment to prudently manage North Dakota’s trust land assts and support the state’s educational needs," said Joseph Heringer, Trust Lands Commissioner "These funds will continue to ensure that education in our state remains strong, now and for generations to come."
2024 Surface Lease Auctions Results
Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at 05:00 pm
The Department of Trust Lands on behalf of the Board of University & School Lands has concluded the fall auction season.
Changes to Minerals Management Division Fees
Friday, June 7, 2024 at 04:50 pm
The following Minerals Management Division fees have been changed or eliminated as follows:
Minerals Management Division Fee Amount/Per
Oil & Gas Lease Nomination Fee $0.00
Oil & Gas Lease Application Fee (upon winning lease) $50.00/tract
Oil & Gas Lease Assignment Fee $0.00
Oil & Gas Lease Extension/Amendment Application Fee $1,000.00/lease
Oil & Gas Lease Shut-in Application Fee $100.00/lease
Coal Lease Assignment Fee $0.00
Coal Lease Amendment, Renewal Request Fee $0.00