Declaration of policy -- Sales and exchanges

(1) The Legislature declares that it is the policy of the state that: (a) public land be retained in state ownership consistent with the provisions of this chapter for the enjoyment and betterment of the public and the state; (b) public land may not be sold, except: (i) as consistent with Section 63L-8-204 and the other provisions of this chapter; (ii) as consistent with local land use plans; (iii) with the approval of the director and the board; (iv) after sufficient opportunity for public comment; and (v) for an important public interest; (c) goals and objectives be established by law as guidelines for public land use planning, and that management be on the basis of multiple use and sustained yield, unless otherwise provided by statute; and (d) the public land be managed in a manner that will: (i) recognize the state's need for domestic sources of minerals, food, timber, and fiber; (ii) protect the quality of scientific, scenic, historical, ecological, environmental, air and atmospheric, water resource, and archeological values; (iii) where appropriate, preserve and protect certain public land in its natural condition; (iv) provide food and habitat for fish, wildlife, and domestic animals; and (v) provide for hunting, fishing, trapping, outdoor recreation, human occupancy, and other human use, including the general enjoyment of nature and solitude. (2) All rules made to effectuate the purposes of this chapter shall be made in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act.