Arizona Revised Statutes Title 37. Public Lands § 37-604.01. Exchange of state subsurface rights and interests

A. The department and selection board, for the purpose of consolidating surface and subsurface ownership, may exchange unleased or unclaimed subsurface rights and interests and leased oil and gas rights and interests, managed by the state land department for subsurface rights and interests owned by others.

B. Such exchanges shall be subject to the following requirements:

C. Any person may, within ten days of the date of notice as provided herein, file a written protest of the exchange at the state land department. Upon receipt of such a protest to a contemplated exchange pursuant to this section, the state land commissioner shall, not later than thirty days after receipt of the protest, hold a public hearing at the county seat of the county in which the state lands proposed to be exchanged are located to hear any and all matters relevant to the proposed exchange. Notice of the public hearing shall be mailed to all protestants and published at least weekly during the thirty day period prior to the date of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation in the county.

D. The state land department may promulgate rules and regulations governing application and procedures for exchanges of subsurface rights and interests.