A.  In order to procure the settlement or resettlement of the vacant and unappropriated lands belonging to the state, the register of the state land office, when directed to do so by the governor, shall grant, for and on behalf and in the name of the state of Louisiana, to any person, or any agency, political subdivision or public corporation of the state, or any agency of the United States, corporate or otherwise, created under authority of Congress, any of the vacant and unappropriated lands belonging to the state.

B.  When deemed in the interest of the state and upon approval of the governor, the register of the state land office is authorized to grant long-term leases with reasonable rates for the use of the water bottoms and air space above the water of any waters of the state which have been declared nonnavigable by an Act of Congress, to any public agency, political subdivision, public corporation or municipality, or to any private person who is a riparian owner with respect to the water bottoms and air rights to be leased, provided that the lease thereof has first been approved by the local governing authority, for the public or private development thereof.  Nothing contained in this Subsection shall be deemed in any way to alter or abrogate the state’s claim to mineral rights in the leased areas, or to entitle such lessee to any part of such mineral rights.

Amended by Acts 1976, No. 263, §1.