77-2-101. Easements for specific uses. (1) Upon proper application as provided in 77-2-102(1) through (5), the board may grant easements on state lands for the following purposes:

(a) schoolhouse sites and grounds;

(b) public parks;

(c) community buildings;

(d) cemeteries;

(e) conservation purposes:

(i) to the department of fish, wildlife, and parks for parcels that are surrounded by or adjacent to land owned by the department of fish, wildlife, and parks as of January 1, 2001;

(ii) to a nonprofit corporation for parcels that are surrounded by or adjacent to land owned by that same nonprofit corporation as of January 1, 2001; and

(iii) to a nonprofit corporation for the Owen Sowerwine natural area located within section 16, township 28 north, range 21 west, in Flathead County; and

(f) for other public uses.

(2) The board may grant easements on state lands for the following purposes:

(a) right-of-way across or upon any portion of state lands for any public highway or street, any canal, ditch, flume, aqueduct, pipe, reservoir, railroad, private road, telephone line, water conveyance for irrigation purposes, or any other public use as defined in 70-30-102;

(b) any private building or private sewage system that encroaches on state lands;

(c) pursuant to 77-1-1112 or 77-1-1115, the use of the bed of a navigable river; or

(d) pursuant to 77-2-102(6), private access roads, county roads, and utility facilities constructed on state lands prior to October 1, 1997.