Section 9-15-30 Title to Swamp and Overflowed Lands and Swamp and Overflowed Indemnity Lands Patented to State by Federal Government; Utilization, Disposition, Etc., of Same Generally.

(a) Title to all lands of the swamp and overflowed category or swamp and overflowed indemnity lands, which are, subsequent to September 5, 1951, patented to the State of Alabama by the federal government and recorded in the office of the Secretary of State, shall be vested in the Division of Lands of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. (b) The Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources shall utilize such lands for the purpose or purposes which he deems to be most expedient and beneficial. He is hereby authorized to practice forestry upon such lands and may lease such lands for the exploration or extraction of oil, gas or other minerals. Said land shall be supervised and managed in the same manner as other lands which are under the supervision of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources are managed. (c) The Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources shall have the authority, with the approval of the Governor, to sell, lease, exchange or otherwise dispose of these lands as he may deem advisable. (d) The revenue derived from the sale, lease, management or utilization of such lands shall be covered into the State Treasury by the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources to the credit of either the State Lands Fund, the Forestry Commission Fund or State Park Fund as the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources deems appropriate and for the best interest of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. (e) This section is not intended to and does not transfer or affect title to those lands of this category or nature which have been previously patented to the state and which have been recorded in the office of the Secretary of State. Such titles shall remain vested in the institution or department in which they are at present vested.