AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ The University of Texas System owns 2.1 million acres of land, most of it in oil-rich West Texas where royalty payments have soared past $1 billion each year.
But a consulting group and environmental advocates say the UT System needs to do much more with a valuable public resource.
The Austin American-Statesman reports that the system commissioned a report that found “significant core challenges” within the university lands office based in Midland, where the recent oil boom led to surging revenues. The report says the office has no engineering staff and not enough employees with industry knowledge.
The boom has also affected ranchers dealing with new well sites and connected roads and water pits.
Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson says the office is well-run even if minor changes are needed.