Ownership of land in Arizona plays a major role in the management of state right of way, with the state having title only to rights of way through state and private lands (approximately 17%.) Various federal land management agencies and Native American tribes usually maintain title to right of way through their lands and the highways are built and maintained under easements and Memoranda of Understanding. There are 15 separate land ownership categories, each with their own set of management goals and regulations. The ADOT Natural Resources Management Group (NRMG) works in cooperation with the following land owners:
- Private
- State
- County
- BLM
- U.S. Forest Service
- National Park Service
- State Parks and Recreation
- U.S. Military
- Tribal Lands
- National Wildlife Refuges
- U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
- National Recreation Areas
- Arizona Game and Fish
- Arizona Department of Corrections
- U.S. National Monuments
In addition to the listed land owners the Natural Resources Management Group is also involved in cooperative projects with the following groups and agencies:
- Federal Highway Administration
- Govenor’s Invasive Species Advisory Council
- Northern Arizona University
- University of Arizona
- Sky Island Alliance
- Wildlands Project
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Department of Agriculture
- South West Vegetation Management Association
- Localized weed management groups
