So long as any grant of lands by the United States to the state of Washington, for any purpose, or as lieu or indemnity lands therefor, remains incomplete, the commissioner of public lands shall, from time to time, cause the records in his office and in the United States land offices, to be examined for the purpose of ascertaining what of the unappropriated lands of the United States are open to selection, and whether any thereof may be of sufficient value and so situated as to warrant their selection as state lands, and in that case may cause the same to be inspected and appraised by one or more state land inspectors, and a full report made thereon by the smallest legal subdivisions of forty acres each, classifying such lands into grazing, farming and timbered lands, and estimating the value of each tract inspected and the quantity and value of all valuable material thereon, and in the case of timbered lands the amount and value of the standing timber thereon, and the estimated value of such lands after the timber is removed, which report shall be made as amply and expeditiously as possible on blanks to be furnished by the commissioner of public lands for that purpose, under the oath of the inspector to the effect that he has personally examined the tracts mentioned in each forty acres thereof, and that said report and appraisement is made from such personal examination, and is, to the best of affiant's knowledge and belief, true and correct, and that the lands are not occupied by any bona fide settler.

     The commissioner of public lands shall select such unappropriated lands as he shall deem advisable, and do all things necessary under the laws of the United States to vest title thereto in the state, and shall assign lands of equal value, as near as may be, to the various uncompleted grants.

[1927 c 255 § 19; RRS § 7797-19. Prior: 1897 c 89 §§ 5, 7, 9, 10. Formerly RCW 79.01.076, 79.08.050.]

NOTES:

Lieu lands: Chapter 79.02 RCW.