Public lands of the State, situated within the exterior boundaries of a National forest, which in the judgment of the commission are more valuable for timber than for any other purpose, may be exchanged for timber lands of the United States of equal value, in one or more compact tracts, situated in the State. The commission shall select the lands to be so exchanged and arrange with the proper officials of the United States for their exchange.

(Added by Stats. 1941, Ch. 548.)