Legal Definitions - Natural resources

Natural resources refer to the naturally occurring environmental components that are valuable to humans, such as land, water, air, minerals, plants, and animals. In a legal context, this term specifically applies to those resources that are owned, managed, held in trust by, or otherwise controlled by governmental entities—whether federal, state, local, or foreign. This governmental oversight ensures their protection, sustainable use, and availability for the public good.

Here are some examples illustrating the application of this legal term:

• A State Park: Imagine a large state park encompassing ancient forests, a winding river, and diverse wildlife. The state government manages this park, setting rules for hiking, fishing, and conservation efforts to protect its ecological integrity.

  Explanation: The forests (plants and land), the river (water), and the wildlife (biota) within the park are all natural resources. Because the state government owns and actively manages this land and its features, it falls under the legal definition of natural resources, subject to state conservation laws and regulations.

• A City's Drinking Water Supply: A major metropolitan area relies on a large reservoir, fed by a protected watershed, for its drinking water. The city's water utility, which operates as a local government entity, manages the reservoir, the water treatment processes, and the surrounding land to ensure a safe and consistent water supply for its residents.

  Explanation: The reservoir and its contributing watershed represent critical water and land resources. Since a local government (the city's utility) controls and manages these resources to provide a vital public service (drinking water), they are legally considered natural resources under its jurisdiction.

• A National Forest: The U.S. Forest Service, a federal agency, manages a vast national forest. This forest provides timber for industry, recreational opportunities for the public, and essential habitat for numerous plant and animal species, while its air quality is continuously monitored.

  Explanation: The timber (plants), the land itself, the wildlife (biota), and the air within the national forest are all natural resources. Their management by a federal government agency (the U.S. Forest Service) places them squarely within the legal definition, subject to federal laws governing conservation, responsible use, and environmental protection.