77-3-501. Lease for underground storage of natural gas authorized. (1) The board is hereby authorized and empowered to lease in such manner and upon such terms as it may determine, not inconsistent with The Enabling Act and the constitution, state lands to which the title has vested in the state, subject to existing rights, for use for the underground storage of natural gas upon the terms and conditions herein prescribed, to any natural gas public utility authorized to do business in this state and engaged in the business of transporting or distributing natural gas by means of pipelines into, within, or through this state for ultimate public use.

(2) State lands which may be leased shall include lands in which the deposit of native gas shall have been depleted, provided the lessee pays to the state the amount specified by the board for the native gas then remaining in the lands to be leased.