§ 37-311 — Definitions

In this article, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. "Conservation" means protection of the natural assets of state trust lands for the long-term benefit of the land, the trust beneficiaries, lessees, the public and the unique resources that each area contains, such as open space, scenic beauty, protected plants, wildlife, archaeology and multiple use values.

2. "Existing lessee" means any of the following:

(a) The lessee who is entitled to the use of state lands at the time the lands are considered for classification and are classified as trust lands suitable for conservation purposes.

(b) An existing lessee who continues to lease the trust lands after classification as trust lands suitable for conservation purposes.

3. "Open space" means land that is generally free of land uses that would jeopardize the conservation and open space values of the land or development that would obstruct the scenic beauty of the land.

4. "Trust land" means any land that is owned or held in trust by this state.