(1) In a county in which more than 50% of the land is owned by the state and in which the county annual average unemployment rate exceeds the state annual average unemployment rate, as determined by the Michigan employment security commission, due to reductions in staff at a state facility located in the county, the department is authorized to convey a leasehold interest, without monetary consideration, to the county in not more than 1% of the state owned property located in the county and under the control of the department. The county forestry committee created pursuant to section 50703, in cooperation with the department, shall designate the specific sections of property to be leased. The property designated pursuant to this subsection shall not include forest lands located in state parks or lands useful for forest preserves, game areas, and recreational purposes, including wilderness areas, quiet areas, or other special use areas. The property designated pursuant to this subsection shall consist of forest lands previously designated by the department for timber production and suitable for use in the forest management demonstration program established pursuant to this part.

    (2) The term of a leasehold interest authorized by this part shall not exceed 15 years, but the leasehold interest shall be renewable for an additional 15 years if the primary objectives of the forest management demonstration program established pursuant to this part are met, as determined by the department.

    (3) During the term of the leasehold interest authorized by this part, the leased property shall be open to the public for hunting, fishing, and other recreational uses as considered appropriate by the department.

    (1) The property leased pursuant to this part shall be used by the county only for the following purposes:

    (a) To establish a forest management demonstration program to produce forest products for the purpose of economic development in the county.

    (b) To make forest land available to the local school districts for educational purposes.

    (2) The proceeds from the forest management demonstration program shall be used exclusively for economic development in the county and, if the county has established an economic development corporation under the economic development corporations act, Act No. 338 of the Public Acts of 1974, being sections 125.1601 to 125.1636 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, shall be deposited in the fund of the county established pursuant to section 27 of Act No. 338 of the Public Acts of 1974, being section 125.1627 of the Michigan Compiled Laws. If the county economic development corporation is dissolved, the proceeds from the forest management demonstration program shall be transferred to and deposited in the general fund of the county. If the county has not established an economic development corporation, the proceeds from the forest management demonstration project shall be deposited in the general fund of the county. The forest management demonstration program shall be implemented by the county forestry committee created pursuant to section 50703. In implementing the forest management demonstration program, the county forestry committee shall cooperate with the department in all matters pertaining to forest management.

    A county forestry committee is created for purposes of this part and shall consist of 5 members who shall be appointed by the county board of commissioners. Two members of the county forestry committee shall be foresters registered under part 535, 1 member shall be a member of the county economic development corporation, 1 member shall be a member of the county board of commissioners, and 1 member shall be a resident of the county who is not a county official or employee. If the county has not established an economic development corporation under the economic development corporations act, 1974 PA 338, MCL 125.1601 to 125.1636, 2 members shall be residents of the county who are not county officials or employees. The members of the county forestry committee shall be appointed for a term of 4 years, except that of the first appointments, 2 shall be for a term of 4 years, 1 shall be for a term of 3 years, 1 shall be for a term of 2 years, and 1 shall be for a term of 1 year. All actions of the county forestry committee shall be approved by the county board of commissioners. A vacancy on the county forestry committee shall be filled by the county board of commissioners for the remainder of the unexpired term.

     An instrument conveying a leasehold interest in real property authorized by this part shall be approved by the attorney general.

     The conveyance authorized by this part shall provide that the property be used exclusively for the purposes set forth in section 50702(1), and that termination of either or both of those purposes or the use of the property for any other purpose constitutes grounds for termination of the lease.

    Within 30 days after the execution of a lease authorized by this part, the county forestry committee shall submit to the department for approval a forest management plan prepared by a forester registered under part 535.

     A leasehold interest authorized by this part shall be conveyed by the department by October 8, 1982.