News

The most recent Department of Trust Lands' Biennial Report is now available! - 2023-25 Biennial Report

To view the Department's historical reports please visit Resources - Biennial Reports.

Department of Trust Lands Fall Surface Auction Results

The 69th Legislative Assembly passed new legislation to empower the North Dakota Department of Trust Lands, Unclaimed Property Division to automatically return unclaimed property to the rightful owner, eliminating the necessity for certain owners to file a claim.
Under the new program, the Unclaimed Property Division can automatically return single-owner property with a value up to $1000.  This innovative initiative compares the state’s unclaimed property database with verified automated tools to secure updated address information.  Upon strict verification, the Unclaimed Property Division simply mails a check for the qualified matching property.  No additional action is required by the owner, except of course, cashing the check!
Unclaimed Property may include various types of assets such as inactive bank accounts, uncashed checks, refunds, securities, unpaid wages, and insurance policy proceeds.  This newly launched program is designed to simplify the process of returning unclaimed funds to owners while reducing paperwork, free of charge.
If you receive a letter, there is no action required, other than expecting a check in approximately 45 days.  If you do not receive a letter, visit our website https://unclaimedproperty.nd.gov to see if we may holding any funds that may belong to you.  If you lived in any other states, visit www.missingmoney.com to search every state’s database at once.

Full Press Release

Bismarck, ND – On behalf of the Board of University & School Lands (Land Board), the North Dakota Department of Trust Lands (Department) is pleased to announce that its online October 2025 oil & gas lease auction grossed

$49.5 million, which was its highest since the February 2012 auction that generated $85 million. The October 2025 auction involved 708 tracts totaling over 64,000 acres, with 578 tracts receiving bids from 51 bidders.

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View November 5, 2026 Full Press Release

The Department of Trust Lands now accepts credit card and eCheck payments up to $25,000 in our new customer portal.  We have created a quick navigation guide to walk you through the portal basics as you do business with us.  

Thank you for your continued support of funding K-12 education in North Dakota. 

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.

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."

Full Press Release

The Department of Trust Lands on behalf of the Board of University & School Lands has concluded the fall auction season.

2024 Auction Results by County

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    

Spring 2024 Surface Lease Auction Restults 

Spring 2024 Surface Lease Auctions Unleased Tracts Available for Lease

Thank you for your continued support of funding K-12 education in North Dakota.