In order that financial aid cooperation from the federal government, which is now and may hereafter become available may be taken advantage of, and that land in the state of Idaho be put to its best possible use, it shall be the duty of the state board of land commissioners to integrate and unify the policy and administration of land use in the state, and to determine the best use or uses, viewed from the standpoint of general welfare, to be made of state land now owned or hereafter acquired, including the determination of what land should be in county or state or federal ownership, and, in order to carry out the intentions of this chapter, the state board of land commissioners is hereby authorized and directed to classify state owned lands with respect to their value for forestry, reforestation, watershed protection and recreational purposes.
In determining the best use or uses of land, the state board of land commissioners may call upon the Idaho division of tourism and industrial development [department of commerce] and/or other state departments, divisions and agencies for inventories, classifications, maps and other data relative to land, and said Idaho division of tourism and industrial development [department of commerce] and other state departments, divisions and agencies shall furnish the said board with inventories, classifications, maps and other data upon request of the board. Said board may also call upon the boards of county commissioners in counties wherein the lands are situated for advice and recommendations in determination of future use and administration of said lands.