76-12-103. Statement of policy. (1) It is the intention of the legislature to establish a system for the protection of natural or potentially natural areas in order to preserve their natural ecosystem integrity in perpetuity.

(2) In this connection, the legislature recognizes the fact that the school trust lands are held in trust for the support of education and for the attainment of other worthy objects helpful to the well-being of the people of the state; that it is the duty of the board of land commissioners to administer this trust so as to secure the largest measure of legitimate and reasonable advantage to the state; and hereby declares the preservation of natural areas, whether trust or other lands, for the enjoyment and inspiration of future generations to be an object worthy of legislative action helpful to the well-being of the people of the state and also declares that the preservation of natural areas on state trust land has sufficient value to present and future education to meet the state's obligation for the disposition and utilization of trust lands as specified in The Enabling Act.