NATURAL RESOURCES

Mississippi’s Natural Resources ...... 523 Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks ...... 523 State Parks, National Parks, and National Forests ...... 524 State Parks ...... 525 Pat Harrison Waterway District Water Parks ...... 529 Ross Barnett Reservoir ...... 529 The Parkway ...... 529 U .S . National Parks in Mississippi ...... 529 Major Lakes and Rivers Map ...... 530 Mississippi Ports Map ...... 531 Public Trust Lands ...... 532 16TH Section School Trust Lands ...... 532 School Trust Lands Map ...... 537 Mississippi Tidelands ...... 538. NATURAL RESOURCES NATURAL RESOURCES

Mississippi can be divided into five broad geographical regions: the Delta region in northwest Mississippi, the Hills region in north Mississippi, the Pines region in east-central Mississippi, the Capital/River region from Jackson to Vicksburg to Natchez, and the Coastal region in south Mississippi along the Gulf Coast . The State’s physiographic divisions include ten distinct landform regions: the Tombigbee Hills, the Black Prairie, the Pontotoc Ridge, the Flatwoods, the North Central Hills, the Hills, the Yazoo Basin, the Jackson Prairie, the Pine Hills, and the Coastal Meadows . The State has 119 public lakes, 123,000 stream miles, and 255,000 freshwater acres . Additionally, the State has 16 major aquifers supplying over 90 percent of Mississippi’s drinking water . Mississippi has six major reservoirs: Pickwick Lake on the Tennessee River, near Coldwater, Sardis Lake near Oxford, Enid Lake in Yalobusha County, Grenada Lake near Grenada, and the Ross Barnett Reservoir to the northeast of Jackson . More than 19 million acres of forestland cover almost 65 percent of the state, of which almost 80 percent is privately owned . The remainder is public land including a network of state parks, state wildlife management areas, and six national forests—Bienville, DeSoto, Homochitto, Delta, Holly Springs, and Tombigbee . This public land represents 1 .2 million acres dedicated to recreation and wilderness protection . The forestry industry is a national model of sustainable forest management . Mississippi was the first state in the nation to establish a reforestation tax credit to encourage landowners to replant after harvest and was also the first to create a statewide forest inventory using remote-sensing satellite imagery to calculate the size and diversity of forestlands . The State’s namesake, the Mississippi River, runs along the western boundaries of Mississippi . The river and its tributaries continually deposit rich alluvial throughout the Mississippi Delta, resulting in agricultural industry that contributes to Mississippi’s economy . Mississippi’s white sand beaches along the Gulf Coast draw millions of visitors annually in addition to the state-conserved Coastal tidelands and barrier islands . There are more than one million acres of public hunting lands in Mississippi including 15 National Wildlife Refuges and 53 state wildlife management areas representing a wide variety of habitats .

MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES, AND PARKS 1505 Eastover Drive, Jackson 39211 (601) 432-2400 www .mdwfp com.

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks oversees all Mississippi state parks which offer amenities including fishing, camping, hiking, recreational facilities, and fully-furnished cabin rentals . The 25 state parks stretch from the Tennessee border to the . Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks is also responsible for programs that protect Mississippi fish and wildlife resources and their habitats . The Agency issues hunting and fishing licenses, advises on habitat protection and sponsors public education programs . The Department is also responsible for the enforcement of Mississippi’s fish and game laws . 523 NATURAL RESOURCES STATE PARKS, NATIONAL PARKS, AND NATIONAL FORESTS

State Parks DESOTO BENTON ALCORN 1. - 10 2. - MARSHALL TISHO- TIPPAH MINGO 3. - TATE 25 5 PRENTISS 22 4. - Florewood State Park TUNICA 5. - George P. Cossar State Park UNION 1 6. - Golden Memorial State Park 11 7. - Great River Road State Park PANOLA LAFAYETTE ITAWAMBA 8. - Holmes County State Park COAHOMA 24 4 23 9. - QUITMAN PONTOTOC LEE 10. - J.P. Coleman State Park 5 YALOBUSHA 11. - John W. Kyle State Park 6 TALLAHATCHIE 5 CALHOUN 12. - Lake Lincoln State Park MONROE 7 CHICKASAW 13. - Lake Lowndes State Park 9 14. - LeFleur's BluŠ State Park BOLIVAR GRENADA CLAY 15. - Legion State Park WEBSTER LEFLORE 16. - SUNFLOWER MONT- GOMERY 17. - 4 OKTIBBEHA 13 18. - Paul B. Johnson State Park CARROLL WASHINGTON CHOCTAW LOWNDES 19. - Percy Quin State Park 20. - 6 16 HUMPHREYS HOLMES 21. - ATTALA 15 NOXUBEE 22. - 8 WINSTON 23. - SHARKEY 24. - 25. - YAZOO 2 LEAKE NESHOBA KEMPER

ISSAQUENA MADISON 6

SCOTT

5 20 NEWTON LAUDERDALE WARREN HINDS 14 RANKIN 1

SMITH JASPER 3 CLAIBORNE CLARKE COPIAH SIMPSON

JEFFERSON 12 COVINGTON WAYNE 17 JONES 3 LINCOLN JEFFERSON 3 ADAMS FRANKLIN LAWRENCE DAVIS

FOR- 4 REST PIKE MARION LAMAR WILKINSON PERRY GREENE AMITE 19 18 2 WALTHALL 3

GEORGE PEARL RIVER STONE

National Parks National Forests HARRISON JACKSON 1. - Brices Cross Roads 1. - Bienville National Forest National Battle•eld Site 2. - HANCOCK 21 2. - Gulf Islands National Seashore 3. - DeSoto National Forest 1 3. - Natchez National 4. - Homochitto National Forest 2 Historical Park 5. - Holly Springs National Forest 4. - Tupelo National 6. - Tombigbee National Forest Battle•eld Monument 5. - Vicksburg National Military Park 524 NATURAL RESOURCES MISSISSIPPI STATE PARKS

Buccaneer State Park George P. Cossar State Park 1150 S. Beach Blvd., Waveland 39576 165 CR 170, Oakland 38948 (228) 467-3822 (662) 623-7356 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Location: Do not follow GPS; Location: 8 miles east of Oakland off Call office for directions Mississippi Hwy. 32 Buccaneer was beautifully restored in Area: Park 836 acres November 2013, after being completely Cossar is situated on the shores of Enid destroyed from . There are Lake . Cossar has 15 air-conditioned units 206 developed campsites and 70 primitive and 76 developed camping sites, as well as a campsites available, as well as a waterpark, disc golf and miniature golf course, nature nature trail, playground, disc golf course, trail, playground, picnic area, and non- activity building, and picnic area . denominational Sunday worship services in the summer . Clark Creek Natural Area 366 Ft. Adams Rd., Woodville 39669 Golden Memorial State Park (601) 888-6040 2104 Damascus Road, Walnut Grove 39180 Location: 13 miles west of Woodville off Hwy. 24 (601) 253-2237 at the Pond Community E-mail: [email protected] Area: Park 700 acres Location: On Mississippi Hwy. 492, Clark Creek Natural Area is one of five miles east of Walnut Grove off Mississippi’s most beautiful outdoor areas . Mississippi Hwy. 35 A nature trail with about 50 waterfalls is Area: Park 120 acres/Lake 15 acres available for hiking, bird-watching, etc . Golden Memorial has picnic tables, grills, Since the terrain is physically demanding, no two picnic pavilions, nature trails, and a camping, facilities, or other amenities spring-fed lake stocked with bass and bream . are available . The Loblolly Trail houses the second largest loblolly pine tree in Mississippi . Clarkco State Park 386 Clarkco Rd., Quitman 39355 Great River Road State Park (601) 776-6651 101 State Park Rd., Rosedale 38769 E-mail: [email protected] (662) 827-5436 Location: 5 miles north of Quitman on Location: In Rosedale off Mississippi Hwy. 1, U.S. Hwy. 45 on Hwy. 145 35 miles north of Greenville Area: Park 815 acres/Lake 65 acres Area: Park 756 acres/Lake 25 acres Clarkco is situated on 65-acre Clarkco Located on the Mississippi River, Great Lake . Marked nature trails, lighted tennis River Road State Park is managed as a day courts, large picnic pavilions, a visitor’s use only park . A new playground area is center with meeting rooms, and much more available, as well as a boat launch for fishing . is available . Clarkco has 43 developed sites, seven primitive camping pads, one vacation Holmes County State Park cottage, and 20 cabins with individual piers . 5369 State Park Rd., Durant 39063 (662) 653-3351 Florewood State Park E-mail: [email protected] 1999 CR 145, Greenwood 38930 Location: 4 miles south of Durant off I-55, Exit 150 (662) 455-3904 Area: Park 537 acres/Lake 59 acres TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO RENOVATIONS 525 NATURAL RESOURCES The most centrally located of the state parks, Course, group camp facilities, and fishing Holmes County has two fishing lakes and 28 and boating on Sardis Lake . The lodge offers campsites, as well as a picnic area and a large ballroom and a dining room that will boat launch . accommodate 96 people, making it perfect for family reunions or banquets . Hugh White State Park 3170 State Park Rd., Grenada 38901 Lake Lincoln State Park (662) 226-4934 2573 Sunset Rd., Wesson 39191 E-mail: [email protected] (601) 643-9044 Location: 10 miles east of Grenada off E-mail: [email protected] Mississippi Hwy. 8 Location: 4.5 miles east of Hwy. 51 near Wesson Area: Park 1,320 acres/Lake 64,000 acres Area: Park 900 acres/Lake 550 acres Located on Grenada Lake, Hugh White Lake Lincoln is nestled in the shade of State Park has 128 developed camping sites hardwood trees and offers 71 RV campsites, and 12 duplex cabins . Available amenities one cabin, and three cottages . The park has include a golf course, group camp facility, a disc golf course, nature trail, picnic area, playground, picnic area, and activity playground, volleyball court, and non- building . There is also a boat launch for denominational Sunday worship services fishing and unrestricted water skiing . during the summer . The lake offers fishing, jet or water skiing, and a 1 5. acre sand beach . J.P. Coleman State Park 613 CR 321, Iuka 38852 Lake Lowndes State Park (662) 423-6515 3319 Lake Lowndes Rd., Columbus 39702 E-mail: [email protected] (662) 328-2110 Location: 4 miles north of Iuka, turn off Hwy. 25 E-mail: [email protected] onto CR 989 Location: 8 miles southeast of Columbus off Area: Park 400 acres Mississippi Hwy. 69 J .P . Coleman offers many water sports Area: Park 709 acres/Lake 150 acres since it is located on a rocky bluff that Lake Lowndes State Park provides a overlooks the Tennessee River . The park complete recreational facility for many offers 69 RV campsites, nine primitive people to enjoy . A scenic wooded tent camping sites, 20 cabins, three cottages, camping area, 50 developed camping sites, 16 motel rooms, and three townhouses . six vacation cabins, and two vacation Amenities include a conference center, cottages are available for use . Amenities picnic area, playground, miniature golf include a disc golf course, amphitheater, course, and swimming pool . gym, picnic area, playground, playing fields, tennis complex, and activity building . Water John W. Kyle State Park activities include fishing and water sports . 4235 State Park Rd., Sardis 38666 (662) 487-1345 LeFleur’s Bluff State Park E-mail: [email protected] 3315 Lakeland Terrace, Jackson 39216 Location: 8 miles east of Sardis on Mississippi (Campground) Hwy. 315, I-55 Exit 252 at Sardis 1205 Lakeland Dr., Jackson 39216 (Golf Course) Area: Park 400 acres (601) 987-3923 Located on scenic Sardis Reservoir, John E-mail: [email protected] W . Kyle State Park offers 200 developed Location: Exit 98B off I-55 camping sites, 20 cabins, and two golf Area: Park 305 acres/Lake 50 acres villas . John Kyle offers Mallard Pointe Golf 526 NATURAL RESOURCES LeFleur’s Bluff is located in the heart of Natchez Lake offers excellent fishing, urban Jackson . Mayes Lake Campground boasting the state’s record largemouth bass has 28 developed camping sites ten (18 15. pounds) . It also offers 50 developed primitive tent sites, a bathhouse, and camping sites, eight tent camping sites, ten sewage dumping station . Amenities include lakeside vacation cabin units, and a laundry a playground, golf course, picnic area, and facility . Amenities include a disc golf course, disc golf course, as well as fishing . nature trail, picnic area, playground, and hunting area . Legion State Park 635 Legion State Park Rd. Paul B. Johnson State Park Louisville 39339 319 Geiger Lake Rd., Hattiesburg 39401 (662) 773-8323 (601) 582-7721 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Location: 2 miles north of Louisville on Location: 12 miles south of Hattiesburg off U.S. Hwy. 49 N. Columbus Ave. Area: Park 969 acres/Lake 225 acres Area: Park 35 acres/Lake 16 acres The park has many overnight options, Legion State Park features Legion such as 125 RV campsites, 25 primitive Lodge, a hand-hewn log structure that has campsites, 16 cabins, three cottages, and a remained unaltered since its construction in group camp facility . There are a variety of the 1930s . There are 15 developed camping activities and amenities available, including sites, five vacation cabins, a vacation a visitor center, gameroom, picnic area, cottage, and a tent camping area . Two playground, splash pad, disc golf course, fishing lakes are available, as well as a picnic swimming, and nature trails . Fishing, boating, area, activity building, and playground . and water skiing are available on the lake .

Leroy Percy State Park Percy Quin State Park 1400 Hwy. 12 W., Hollandale 38748 2036 Percy Quin Drive, McComb 39648 (662) 827-5436 (601) 684-3938 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] Location: 5 miles west of Hollandale off Location: 6 miles south of McComb, exit 13 off I-55 Mississippi Hwy. 12 Area: Park 1700 acres/Lake 490 acres Area: Park 1,642 acres/Lake 60 acres Percy Quin is an enjoyable blend of old Leroy Percy encompasses a wildlife and new . There are many overnight options, management area for deer, squirrel, including 100 RV campsites, 27 cabins, four turkey, duck and dove hunting . The park cottages, two golf villas, nine motel rooms, has 16 developed camping sites, a scenic and a group camp facility . Facilities for wooded tent camping area, eight vacation use include: picnic tables and grills, picnic cabin units, and a group camp that can pavilions, playgrounds, swimming pool, accommodate 48 people . Amenities include tennis courts, game room, conference center, disc golf, picnic area, playground, playing chapel, marina, and an 18-hole golf course . fields, fishing, boat launch, and water skiing . Boating is available on Lake Tangipahoa, but the lake is closed to fishing . Natchez State Park 230-B Wickliff Rd., Natchez 39120 Roosevelt State Park (601) 442-2658 2149 Hwy. 13 S., Morton 39117 E-mail: [email protected] (601) 732-6316 Location: 10 miles north of Natchez off U.S. 61 E-mail: [email protected] at Stanton Location: Exit 77 off I-20 Area: Park 3,400 acres/Lake 230 acres Area: Park 650 acres/Lake 150 acres 527 NATURAL RESOURCES The park offers 109 RV campsites, swimming pool . Rock climbing, canoes, and primitive tent sites, 15 vacation cabins, a fishing are also available . motel, and a group camp facility . Amenities at Alfreda-Harris Lodge include: visitor Tombigbee State Park center, banquet hall, meeting rooms, game 264 Cabin Dr., Tupelo 38804 room, and souvenir shop . There is also (662) 842-7669 the Livingston Performing Arts & Media E-mail: [email protected] Center that has 600 seats and is perfect Location: 6 miles southeast of Tupelo off for church events, plays, pageants, ballet Mississippi Hwy. 6 performances, musical programs, and Area: Park 522 acres/Lake 90 acres recording sessions . Roosevelt State Park Options for staying overnight include 20 also has activities to enjoy, such as a picnic developed campsites, a primitive camping area, pavilion, playground, nature trail, disc area, seven cabins, one cottage, and a group golf course, softball field, and tennis court . camp facility . Many activities are available, Water facilities include fishing, boating, and such as a picnic area with tables and grills, swimming, as well as a water slide . picnic pavilions, meeting room and banquet facilities, playground, multi-use field, Shepard State Park volleyball court, disc golf course, nature 1034 Graveline Rd., Gautier 39553 trail, and fishing . (228) 497-2244 E-mail: [email protected] Trace State Park Location: 3 miles west of Pascagoula, south of 2139 Faulkner Rd., Belden 38826 U.S. Hwy. 90 at Gautier (662) 489-2958 Area: Park 395 acres E-mail: [email protected] Shepard State Park has 28 developed Location: 10 miles east of Pontotoc off camp sites, 30 primitive camp sites, and a Mississippi Hwy. 6 group camping site . There is also a nature Area: Park 2,545 acres/Lake 565 acres trail, picnic area, playground, soccer field, Trace State Park has 76 developed and disc golf course . A boat ramp for small camping sites, ten shaded tent sites, ten watercrafts is available and provides access cabins, three cottages, and six primitive to the mouth of the Singing River by way of camping sites . A variety of facilities for use St . Pierre Bayou . include two playground areas, picnic sites, pavilion, laundry facility, disc golf course, golf Tishomingo State Park course, nature trails, and water activities . 105 CR 90, Tishomingo 38873 (662) 438-6914 Wall Doxey State Park E-mail: [email protected] 3946 Hwy. 7 S., Holly Springs 38635 Location: 2 miles south of Tishomingo off (662) 252-4231 Mississippi Hwy. 25; milepost 304 off Natchez E-mail: [email protected] Trace Parkway Location: 7 miles south of Holly Springs off Area: Park 1,530 acres/Lake 45 acres Mississippi Hwy. 7 Tishomingo offers 62 RV campsites, Area: Park 809 acres/Lake 60 acres a primitive campsite area, six cabins, one Wall Doxey has 64 developed camp cottage, and a group camp facility . The sites, 18 wooded primitive camp sites, nine activities and recreational facilities include: cabins, one cottage, and a group camp a picnic area with tables and grills, picnic facility . Activities at the park include: pavilions, lodge facility, disc golf courses, visitor/activity building, picnic sites/ compass course, hiking trails, playgrounds, pavilions, playing field, playground, nature 528 multi-use field, volleyball court, and trail, disc golf, and fishing . NATURAL RESOURCES PAT HARRISON WATERWAY area . The district provides a water supply DISTRICT WATER PARKS for the city of Jackson . It also maintains the reservoir’s dam and monitors water Archusa Creek Water Park quality in cooperation with the Mississippi 540 CR 110, Quitman 39355 Department of Health and the Mississippi (601) 776-6956 Department of Environmental Quality . An estimated 2 .5 million people visit the Big Creek Water Park 48 recreational facilities annually . Available 2 Big Creek Water Park, Soso 39480 facilities include: five campgrounds, 16 (601) 763-8555 parks, 22 boat launches, three handicapped- accessible trails, two multi-purpose trails, Dry Creek Water Park and mountain bike trails . Each campground 13 Dry Creek Park Dr ., Mt . Olive 39119 has a police manager . The District also (601) 797-4619 developed five marinas, four baseball/ soccer complexes, and two golf courses . Dunn’s Falls Water Park Almost 20 miles of paved trails for walking, 6890 Dunn’s Falls Rd ., Enterprise 39330 jogging, bicycling, and sightseeing connect (601) 655-8550 the reservoir to surrounding neighborhoods and shopping areas . Flint Creek Water Park 1216 Parkway Dr ., Wiggins 39577 (601) 928-3051 The historic Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444 mile long path that connects Natchez Maynor Creek Water Park to Nashville . The Parkway was created and 1351 Reservoir Rd ., Waynesboro 39367 used for centuries by Native Americans, (601) 735-4365 and was later used by early European and American explorers, traders, and emigrants Okatibbee Creek Water Park in the late 18th and early 19th centuries . 9283 Pine Springs Rd ., Meridian 39305 The Trace is open year-round to (601) 737-2370 motorists, hikers, and bikers . It gives visitors the chance to take a leisurely trip through Turkey Creek Water Park time . The Parkway is headquartered in 142 Parkway Dr ., Decatur 39327 Tupelo and is maintained and administered (601) 635-3314 by the . Visitors can discover scenic areas, ROSS BARNETT RESERVOIR numerous hiking trails, picnic sites, The Ross Barnett Reservoir was created campgrounds, and water recreation areas . in 1965 by impounding the Pearl River Almost 30 hiking and self-guiding trails between Madison and Rankin Counties cover 60 miles of the Natchez Trace . Aside nd and is named after the 52 governor of from cars, motorcycles, bicycles, and RVs Mississippi . It is bounded by the Natchez are popular ways visitors travel the Trace . Trace Parkway and has 105 miles of shoreline . The lake is about 45 miles U.S. NATIONAL PARKS long and 3 .5 miles wide in some places . 1 . Brices Crossroads National Battlefield The average depth is 12 feet and there is 2 . Gulf Islands National Seashore approximately 33,000 acres of surface area . 3 . Natchez National Historical Park The Pearl River Valley Water Supply 4 . Tupelo National Battlefield Monument District is the state agency that was created 5 . Vicksburg National Military Park to manage the lake and its surrounding 529 NATURAL RESOURCES

MAJOR LAKES AND RIVERS

s

In Minnesota In Originate

Pickwick Lake Coldwater River

Arkabutla Lake

Tallahatchie RiverSardis ay Little Lake terw

Wa ississippi River Tacoma River M

ombigbee Enid T Lake aobusha River

allahatchie River allahatchie Y T ennessee - T

Grenada Lake

T ombigbee River

Sunower River

y River an anook ock No Y xubee River

Yazoo River Pearl River Big Black River

Ok

atibbee Creek

Chunk

Ross Barnett y Creek Reservoir

Bucatunna Creek Bayou P iver ierre

Strong R L

eaf River

Ok atoma Creek Chick

Bo asawhay River wie Creek allahala Creek T

Pearl River Homochitto River Bogue Chitto Riv

T ickow River Leaf River

er Black Creek Amite River

Red Creek

W olf River P ascagoula

Flows

ver Bilo Ri Gulf of Mexic xi River In Jourdan River River Escatawpa to

o

f of Mexi Gul co

530 NATURAL RESOURCES PORTS IN MISSISSIPPI

531 NATURAL RESOURCES PUBLIC TRUST LANDS

The Mississippi Secretary of State has the constitutional and statutory authority to protect Mississippi’s public trust lands to preserve the State’s resources for future generations . These responsibilities include enforcing the 16th Section Public School Trust Lands and Lieu Lands laws, developing and implementing the Public Trust Tidelands Management Programs, overseeing the sale of lands forfeited to the State for non-payment of ad valorem taxes, maintaining an inventory of State agency lands, and providing services to the public and governmental subdivisions relating to sales, acquisitions, leasing, and title of the State’s real property assets .

16TH SECTION PUBLIC SCHOOL Y’all Business, www .yallbusiness .sos .ms .gov, is another helpful tool . The website includes TRUST LANDS Mississippi is the only state east of a section relating to leased lands, which the Mississippi River that substantially indicates the location of parcels of trust retains and utilizes its school trust lands lands by county . The parcel information is for the benefit of local school districts . The from local tax assessors’ offices and is tied designated lands, including 642,000 surface with the State lease number . acres and 674,000 mineral acres, have The Secretary of State’s Office’s goal is to generated millions of dollars in revenue provide excellent service to the public and used to fund public schools for nearly give school districts the tools they need to two centuries . Upon statehood in 1817, make the management of trust lands easier Mississippi received approximately 640 and more efficient . Over the past nine years, contiguous acres out of every township . there has been a steady increase in revenues, These designated lands were set aside to more efficient management of lands, and a support the specific public school that fell greater involvement between schools and within each district . All revenues generated the public, as well as a partnership with the by 16th Section Public Trust Land go directly Mississippi Forestry Commission . to the local school district . Approximately The partnership with the Mississippi 102 school districts manage the trust lands Forestry Commission has resulted in the within their boundaries . certification of 480,000 acres of 16th Section The Mississippi Secretary of State is the timber by the American Tree Farm System statutorily-mandated supervisory trustee – all in an effort to produce better harvests of 16th Section Public Trust Lands . The and greater revenue over time . Roughly 70 Secretary of State reviews and signs all leases percent of Mississippi’s State Trust Lands to guarantee that the school trust receives are managed for timber . fair market value and utilizes the land in the Since the implementation of the lease best way possible . review process, revenues have increased to In an effort to increase transparency, exceed over $100 million . Even with market the Secretary of State’s Office now posts fluctuations that affect mineral, timber, all leases online at www .sos .ms .gov . This and agriculture, the overall revenues have website also posts notices for bids to be greatly improved . accepted for hunting, agriculture, and In 2016, oil, gas, and other minerals mineral leases . In order to assist schools in revenues dropped from $15 million to managing the lands in their districts, the $9 million . Timber revenues totaled $19 agency provides fillable lease forms, annual million and surface leasing remained report forms, and change forms . relatively steady at $22 million . In 2007, 532 NATURAL RESOURCES prior to the current administration’s review government land sales . The territorial claims of leases, timber revenues were $11 million of the Chickasaws were resolved with their and surface leasing was $16 million . removal under the Treaty of Pontotoc in 1832 . Although these lands were to be sold TH by the government to private parties “…in A HISTORY OF 16 the same manner…,” they were, in fact, sold SECTION LANDS The origin of 16th Section Public School with no 16th Section reservations . Trust Lands in America can be traced to the Today, 15 counties lie entirely north British and colonial tradition of reserving of the Choctaw-Chickasaw Boundary and land for the support of public schools . have no reserved 16th Section lands . The After the formation of the Union, Thomas counties are Tishomingo, Alcorn, Tippah, Jefferson incorporated the practice into the Benton, Marshall, DeSoto, Tunica, Tate, Land Ordinance of 1785 . Lafayette, Union, Prentiss, Itawamba, Lee, Designed to encourage westward Pontotoc, and Chickasaw . Another seven, expansion, the Ordinance adopted a six- Quitman, Panola, Yalobusha, Calhoun, square-mile township as its basic unit of Webster, Clay, and Monroe, are bisected measure and “… reserved the lot no . 16, by the Choctaw-Chickasaw Boundary and of every township, for the maintenance have no 16th Section lands in the portions of of public schools within said township…” those counties lying north of the boundary . The reservation of land for public schools Although the boundary passes through was further confirmed in the Northwest Tallahatchie County, there are no 16th Ordinance of 1787 . Later, in 1798, when Sections lying north of the boundary in Congress established the Mississippi that county . Territory, it provided a government initially based on the Northwest Ordinance model . Chickasaw Cession Lands With division of the Mississippi To compensate for this failure, in 1836 Territory in 1817 to form the State of Congress granted the State of Mississippi Mississippi and the Territory of , 174,555 acres of unsold public land in Congress called for a survey of land in the Bolivar, Coahoma, Tallahatchie, Quitman, new state . Again, 16th Section land was Panola, and Leake counties . In the 1850s, reserved in each township . Congress and the State of Mississippi allowed this lieu land to be sold . Mississippi invested the $1,047,330 realized from the The Treaties At the time of statehood, Native sale in 8 percent interest loans to railroad Americans inhabited Mississippi . The companies in the State . The principal was Choctaw Nation occupied the area south and lost with the destruction of the railroads west of a line extending southeasterly from during the Civil War . the Coahoma and Tunica County boundary Thereafter, the Mississippi Legislature to a point on the old Natchez Trace in began making annual appropriations to Webster County and then across Clay school districts in the Chickasaw Cession County in a generally southeasterly direction equal to the 8 percent interest on the lost to a point on the . The principal . The interest amount was reduced Chickasaw Nation inhabited the area north from 8 to 6 percent by the Constitution of and east of that line . 1890 . For decades, annual appropriations In September 1830, the United States totaling approximately $62,000 were made and the Choctaws signed the Treaty of to the school districts in the Chickasaw Dancing Rabbit Creek . In accordance with Cession . But, by the 1980s the estimated the treaty, 16th Sections were reserved from annual appropriation amounted to only 533 NATURAL RESOURCES $0 .63 per pupil in the Chickasaw Cession leases . Litigation resulted in a Mississippi school districts, while the estimated average Supreme Court decision holding that 16th income per pupil from 16th Section land in Section lands must be leased for fair market the Choctaw Cession counties was $75 .34 . value . The 1974 Legislature gave local In 1981, Chickasaw Cession school school boards veto power in leasing 16th districts successfully challenged the Section land . disparity as a violation of the United States Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause . 16th Section Land Reform Act As a result, the Chickasaw Cession school In 1978, 16th Section and Lieu Land districts now receive a payment per teacher Act was passed by the Legislature, with unit based on the average annual expendable Lieutenant Governor Evelyn Gandy casting 16th Section revenue per teacher unit the tie-breaking vote in the Senate . It received by the Choctaw Cession school provides that 16th Section school lands and districts, less the amount of the annual lieu lands are held in trust for the benefit interest appropriation . of the public schools; it transfers control of public school trust lands from the Boards Court Rulings of Supervisors to the Boards of Education, In 1890, the United States Supreme under the general supervision of the Court declared the early laws reserving land Secretary of State . in each township for the support of public Since the passage of the 1978 16th education to be a “binding and perpetual Section and Lieu Land Act, 16th Section obligation .” In 1895 the Mississippi Supreme land leases are based on a classification Court ruled that 16th Section lands are held system . The nine classifications include: by the State in trust for public schools . In Forest Land, Agricultural Land, Industrial 1906, Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Land, Commercial Land, Residential Land, Justice A .H . Whitfield opined: “Sixteenth Farm Residential Land, Recreational Land, sections are set apart as a sacred trust . No Other Land, and Catfish Farming Land . greater trust can be committed to any state Classification is determined by a finding than that of the education of the children of the highest and best use of the land for within its borders …And, if one such trust producing the maximum revenue . can be more sacred than another, it is that All timber on 16th Section land is under trust designed to bring home to the doors of the general supervision and management of the poor children of the commonwealth the the Mississippi Forestry Commission . means of acquiring a good education .” Despite Congressional, Federal, and Leasing and Competitive Bidding State judicial endorsements, management of Based on statutory requirements, the 16th Section land, with few exceptions, local Boards of Education offer three ranged from indifferent to abusive . classifications of land for competitive bid . Disregarding the Mississippi Constitution’s Those classifications include: Agriculture, prohibition against donation of public Forestry (hunting and fishing), and Mineral lands, many 99-year leases of 16th Section lands . Agriculture leases are awarded to lands were given for one-time payments . the highest bidder, while forestry leases Through generations, leaseholders allow the existing leaseholder the right to mistakenly came to view themselves as the renew their lease by matching the highest actual owners of the 16th Sections . acceptable bid received . Mineral leases This perception began to change in are awarded to the highest bidder with the early 1970s when Smith County the caveat that the bid includes royalty Superintendent of Education Joe Tally payments and a bonus . Agriculture leases refused to sign inadequately compensated do not exceed five-year terms unless the 534 NATURAL RESOURCES land is used for cultivation of rice or for Board of Education, provided that it may pasture land . In those cases, the term may not arbitrarily withhold permission for not exceed ten years . Forest leases for assignment . hunting usually have terms that do not exceed five years . REVENUES—EXPENDABLE AND All 16th Section lands, regardless NON-EXPENDABLE FUNDS of classification, may be leased for the Revenues collected from the following exploration, development, mining, and sources are deemed expendable funds: lease production of oil, gas, and minerals bonuses and annual delay rentals collected including: carbon dioxide and other gaseous under oil, gas and mineral leases; annual substances; metals, compounds of metals, rents collected under leases covering all 16th metal-bearing ores; coal, lignite, sulfur, salt, Section land classifications; interest received sand, gravel, fill dirt, and clay . upon loans or investments of the principal fund; and proceeds from the sale of timber . Leasing by Application and Appraisal Generally, expendable funds may be used Lands not offered by competitive bid are for all the same purposes as other available leased based on an appraised value . The school funds in operating and maintaining appraisal is fee simple and values the land the schools of the district . without improvements . At the discretion The principal fund is a permanent fund of the local school board, a rate of return consisting of revenue received from the of the appraised value is used to determine following sources: easements and rights-of- the rent . For leases of industrial land and way; sales of lieu land; permanent damages commercial land, the annual rental may not to school trust land; sales of nonrenewable be set at less than five percent of the current resources including, but not limited to, the market value, exclusive of buildings or sale of sand, gravel, dirt, clays, and royalties improvements not owned by the received from the sale of mineral ores, school district . coal, oil, and gas; sales of buildings on 16th The maximum lease term for all land Section lands, and sales of timber . Except for classifications leased upon application is income from timber sales, funds required to 40 years, and rent adjustment clauses are be deposited into the principal fund are not mandatory, except in leases of residential expendable . However, if a district desires and farm residential land . Rent adjustment to spend income from timber sales, it must clauses are optional, but recommended, in maintain a separate principal fund account residential and farm residential leases . for timber income . Application to lease properties is Districts are authorized to borrow submitted to the Superintendent of principal funds at a rate of interest of not Education and the Board of Education less than four percent per annum for a term for approval . Once the property has been of not more than 20 years for the erection, appraised and the lease has been drafted, the equipment, or repair of school buildings, terms and rent of each lease must improvement of timber stands, and to be approved . provide funds for any building project The holder of a lease granted upon approved by the State Board of Education . application has a prior right to re-lease or Additionally, districts may borrow funds, extend an existing lease on terms as may at the same interest rate, for a term not be agreed upon the Board of Education, exceeding ten years for the purchase of but subject to the classification of the school buses . It is the duty of the Board of land . Assignments of leases of 16th Section Education to keep the principal Lands are allowed only if the lease contract fund invested . so provides, or at the discretion of the 535 NATURAL RESOURCES

BUILDING ON REFORM The Secretary of State also personally The passage of the 1978 16th Section and reviews each 16th Section lease that is Lieu Land Act made tremendous strides in entered into to be sure we maximize the instituting sound management practices of monetary return to our schools . our School Trust Lands . Secretary of State Secretary Hosemann entered into a Delbert Hosemann strives to build upon historic Memorandum of Understanding the 16th Section Reform Act and the work with the Mississippi Forestry Commission of prior Secretaries of State by reforming to better manage the timber on our 16th timber practices in our State and allowing Section lands . Through the latest geospatial for more open transparency in the way technologies made available through federal Mississippi regulates 16th Section land . grant dollars, school boards are now armed In the first 90 days of his first term, with the most up-to-date tools to make Secretary Hosemann fulfilled a campaign knowledgeable decisions in regards to promise to publish all 16th Section land timber leases, revenues, and management . leases on the Secretary of State’s website . Because of this increased citizen knowledge, The posting of these leases allowed for a scrutiny and public information, our state comparative analysis for school boards to has seen an increase in the rate of return determine fair rental value of 16th Section of our timber lands, all of which is paid lands . School boards are now able to directly to the local school board for use establish what amount a comparable lease is in educating school children . In addition, receiving in surrounding areas . This allows Secretary Hosemann is also exploring other school boards to better determine how to ways to grow 16th Section land revenues by get the most money for our State lands . exploring alternative land uses .

536 NATURAL RESOURCES SCHOOL LANDS IN MISSISSIPPI

537 NATURAL RESOURCES TIDELANDS It is the policy of the State of Mississippi and the seashore is based on the second to favor the preservation of the natural century work of the Roman jurist Gaius . state of the public trust tidelands and their The doctrine was later codified by Justinian, ecosystems and to prevent the despoliation the emperor who ruled the Roman Empire and destruction of them, except where a from Constantinople in the Sixth Century: specific alteration would serve a higher “… Let us proceed to the law of Things . Of public interest in compliance with the these, some admit of private ownership, public purposes of the trust . Public Trust while others… are by natural law common Tidelands are managed with a view towards to all… . The following things are by natural preservation . Revenues are deposited law common to all—the air, running water, into the Tidelands Fund, allocated by the sea, and consequently the seashore .” the State Legislature, and disbursed to Roman civil law shaped not only the the Department of Marine Resources civil law of Continental Europe, but also for programs and projects relating to the common law of England, where the conservation, reclamation, preservation, tidelands were protected by the King for all acquisition, education, and enhancement of his subjects, and subsequently the law of the public access to the tidelands . United States . Mississippi’s Public Tidelands Trust includes all lands beneath waters that are The Public Trust Doctrine naturally subject to tidal influence . In in Mississippi general, the inland boundary of the trust The original colonies withheld their is the line of mean high tide of the Gulf tidelands from the United States when they of Mexico and the bays, rivers and bayous adopted the Constitution and entered the that flow into it . The outer boundary is the union . Subsequently admitted states entered state’s seaward boundary, three miles south the union on an equal footing with the of the barrier islands . The mean high tide original thirteen, with the United States is an arithmetic average of ordinary high creating similar trusts for each new state . tides over a 19-year tidal epoch . As such, the Mississippi’s Public Tidelands Trust was boundary line between public trust tidelands funded at the time of statehood in 1817 . and privately owned lands is not a fixed, In 1857, the Mississippi Supreme Court stationary line . It ambulates with changes in recognized in Martin v . O’Brien, 34 Miss . the mean high tide over the years . Accretion 21, that “the shores of the sea below high and reliction may increase the upland water mark belong to the state as trustee private estate; while erosion, subsidence and for the public…” and there followed a long rising sea levels may move the boundary and unbroken line of cases recognizing the inland and increase the area held as public state’s ownership of lands overflowed by the tidelands and submerged lands . Artificial tide . The issue attracted new interest in the changes to a shoreline, such as filling or mid-1980s when a dispute arose between excavation, do not change the public trust the State and private owners over the right tidelands boundary . to lease oil, gas and mineral interests . In the 1986 Mississippi Supreme Court decision History in Cinque Bambini Partnership v . State, The Public Trust Doctrine, the legal 491 So .2d 508, Justice James Robertson, authority through which these lands are writing for a unanimous court, declared that administered, is of ancient origin . The “title to all lands naturally subject to tidal concept of common ownership of the sea influence, inland to today’s mean high water

538 NATURAL RESOURCES mark, is held by the State of Mississippi Tidelands Maps in trust… .” Justice Robertson noted in the In the preamble to the Public Trust Cinque Bambini ruling that “The public Tidelands Act, the Legislature found that purposes to which these lands and waters certainty and stability of the land titles of placed in the public trust may be devoted riparian and littoral property owners along are not static .” They include navigation the shores of tidally affected waters of the and transportation; commerce; fishing; state are essential to the economic welfare bathing, swimming and other recreational of the state and to the peace, tranquility activities; development of mineral resources; and financial security of the citizens of environmental protection and preservation; the state of Mississippi . A crucial part of the enhancement of aquatic, avarian this act directed the Secretary of State to and marine life, sea agriculture “and no publish maps depicting the boundary of doubt others .” the public trust tidelands . Miss . Code Ann . In February 1988, the United States § 29-15-7 . Pursuant to this directive, final Supreme Court affirmed the Cinque maps were adopted and certified December Bambini decision in Phillips Petroleum 5, 1994 . These maps provide the basis Company v . Mississippi, 484 U .S . 108, 108 for determining the boundary between S .Ct . 791, 98 L .Ed . 277 . private upland and Public Trust Tidelands Following the state and federal Supreme by showing areas where the shoreline is Court decisions, the Mississippi Legislature natural and where the shoreline has been in 1989 adopted the Public Trust Tidelands artificially altered by excavation and filling . Act, which is codified primarily in Chapter Official copies of these maps are available in 15 of Title 29 of the Mississippi Code . the offices of the Secretary of State offices The Legislature, mindful of the many and in Jackson and Gulfport, as well as in the sometimes conflicting public purposes of offices of the Chancery Clerks of Hancock, the trust, declared it “to be the public policy Harrison and Jackson Counties . of this state to favor the preservation of the natural state of the public trust tidelands Tidelands Leasing and their ecosystems and to prevent the Under Miss . Code Ann . § 29-1-107, the despoliation and destruction of them, except Secretary of State is authorized to “rent or where a specific alteration of specific public lease surface lands, tidelands, or submerged trust tidelands would serve a higher public lands owned or controlled by the State interest in compliance with the public of Mississippi lying in or adjacent to the purposes of the public trust in which such Mississippi Sound or Gulf of Mexico or tidelands are held .” Miss . Code Ann . § 29- streams emptying therein…” The Secretary 15-3(1) . And while the law provides that of State may decide a particular proposed tidelands and submerged lands are held by alteration of public trust tidelands does not the state in trust for use of all the people, it serve a higher public interest in compliance also recognizes the state’s responsibilities with the purposes of the trust and decline as trustee extend to littoral and riparian to lease tidelands to a lease applicant . The property owners as well as to other discretionary nature of the tidelands leasing members of the public . Miss . Code Ann . authority was upheld by the Mississippi § 29-15-5 . Supreme Court in Columbia Land The constitutionality of the 1989 Public Development LLC v . Secretary of State Eric Trust Tidelands Act was upheld by the Clark, 868 So .2d 1006 (Miss . 2004) . Mississippi Supreme Court in Secretary Pursuant to this statutory and judicial of State v . Wiesenberg, 633 So .2d 983 authority, the Secretary of State publishes (Miss . 1994) . rules, regulations, and procedures for the 539 NATURAL RESOURCES administration, control, and leasing of of riparian and littoral owners . In the Public Trust Tidelands and Submerged riparian or littoral area, the rules provide Lands . Because the Mississippi Constitution that only the riparian or littoral owner in Section 95 prohibits the donation of or someone who stands in his shoes can lands belonging to the state to individuals or lease the adjoining tidelands for private private corporations, these rules generally use . Nevertheless, the state may impose require that when an activity on public trust additional public uses in a littoral or riparian tidelands requires a lease, the lease rental area provided such uses serve a higher must be fair market value . In 2012, the public purpose approved by the legislature . Legislature exempted littoral and riparian owners’ residential piers from the leasing The Public Trust Tidelands Fund requirements . The rents which the State collects from In all cases where a lease is required, tidelands leases are deposited in a special the Secretary of State establishes the initial fund called the Public Trust Tidelands Fund . rent . In most cases the initial rent is based Each year, after covering administrative on an appraisal prepared by a qualified costs and lost ad valorem taxes, if any, the appraiser selected by the Secretary of State . Secretary of State disburses the funds to the The prospective lessee is free to provide Department of Marine Resources . the state’s appraiser with any information The Legislature has directed this money he believes is relevant . The law requires be used for “new and extra programs rent review and adjustment at each of tidelands management, such as fifth anniversary of the lease . The rent conservation, reclamation, preservation, adjustment is tied either to the All Urban acquisition, education or the enhancement Consumer Price Index – All Items (CPI) or of public access to the public trust tidelands to an appraisal that deducts the value of the or public improvement projects as they lessee’s improvements . Casino leases are relate to such lands .” Miss . Code Ann . § generally adjusted annually by the 29-15-9 . CPI index . Between 1990 and 2016, the Secretary The Secretary of State’s administrative of State has turned back more than rules take into account the special status $139 million from tidelands leases

540 NATURAL RESOURCES and assessments to the Department of In 2016, Secretary of State Delbert Marine resources for disbursement by the Hosemann accepted, on behalf of the citizens Mississippi Legislature . This money is spent of the State of Mississippi, the substantial in the three coastal counties to build public majority of the East Beach of Cat Island . No piers and boat launches; improve and build state funds were expended in the acquisition . municipal and county marinas and harbors; The acquisition was made as part of the establish and monitor fishing reefs in the Mississippi Coastal Improvements Program Mississippi Sound; acquire environmentally administered by the U .S . Army Corps of important habitat for Mississippi’s Coastal Engineers, and added 492 acres of beaches Preserve System; and conduct important and uplands to the 217 acres acquired by scientific research on subjects like fisheries Secretary Hosemann for the State in 2013 . stocks, red tide and submerged sea grasses, This beach will be renourished and expanded and other subjects essential to the protection back to its 1998 footprint as part of the and preservation of the public trust tidelands Coastal Improvements Program, adding and their ecosystems . another 40 acres to the State’s ownership . In 2013, Secretary of State Delbert These lands will be protected and preserved Hosemann, working with the Department for generations to come . of Marine Resources, negotiated the One of several islands which form purchase of the Baldwin Family property . the southern boundary of the State of Located in Hancock County at the mouth Mississippi, Cat Island lies roughly eight of the Pearl River, the Baldwin property to ten miles south of the mainland coast consists of approximately 2,500 acres of and is the only Mississippi barrier island marsh interspersed with bayous around a with significant acreage remaining in small island that was once the site of the private ownership . The acquisition of such Baldwin home . Though pursued by the a pristine ecological portion of land is a State for many years, Secretary Hosemann, significant step in the preservation of Cat using multiple funding sources, completed Island for public use . the acquisition of this important marshland to protect it for the benefit of current and future generations .

541 NATURAL RESOURCES

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