Sec. 38.50.050. - Conveyance of mineral rights.
Subject to the requirements of this chapter, the director is authorized to exchange mineral rights in state land to the extent that the conveyance is authorized by the state constitution and applicable federal law. The director may not exchange or receive the surface estate of land or the mineral rights in it, one without the other, unless the separation of estate is necessitated by a prior separation of ownership or by restrictions in applicable law, or the director otherwise finds that the conveyance or receipt of the surface or mineral estates, one without the other, is necessary to achieve a significant public purpose.