(a) The commissioner shall classify for surface use land in areas considered necessary and proper. This section does not prevent reclassification of land where the public interest warrants reclassification, nor does it preclude multiple purpose use of land whenever different uses are compatible. If the area involved contains more than 640 contiguous acres, state land, water, or land and water area may not, except by act of the state legislature, (1) be closed to multiple purpose use, or (2) be otherwise classified by the commissioner so that mining, mineral entry or location, mineral prospecting, or mineral leasing is precluded or is designated an incompatible use, except when the classification is necessary for a land disposal or exchange or is for the development of utility or transportation corridors or projects or similar projects or infrastructure, or except as allowed under (c) of this section.

(b) [Repealed, § 35 ch 126 SLA 1994.]

(c) Notwithstanding (a)(2) of this section, if the commissioner considers it necessary and proper, the commissioner may provide by order for an interim classification that precludes, or designates as an incompatible use, mining, mineral entry or location, mineral prospecting, or mineral leasing. Within 10 days after the convening of each regular legislative session, the commissioner shall transmit to the legislature for consideration all the interim classification orders issued under this subsection during the preceding calendar year. Unless the legislature approves by law an interim classification contained in an order transmitted under this subsection, that order expires on the 90th day of that legislative session or upon adjournment of that session, whichever occurs first. Approval by the legislature of an interim classification satisfies the requirement of (a) of this section for an act of the state legislature.