What is the objective of regulating natural resources under the Wyoming Constitution?

• A. For private profit only
• B. In the public welfare
• C. Only with federal permission
• D. Not specified

Answer: (B)

Regulating natural resources is about safeguarding the public welfare—the health, safety, and long-term well-being of the people of Wyoming. The state views natural resources as a public trust, to be stewarded to benefit present and future generations. Regulation exists to prevent waste, ensure fair and sustainable use, and guide development in a way that serves the common good, not just private gain. That emphasis on the public interest is why this objective fits best.

The other ideas don’t align with how Wyoming treats resource regulation: pursuing private profit alone ignores the broader welfare of the community; requiring federal permission isn’t a controlling factor for state regulation; and the constitutional text does specify a purpose tied to the public welfare, not an unspecified aim.