Sounds like the history shows that it was intended for the counties to have the land in the first place instead of the state after the legislature took it away..

Given the choice of it being under dcnr management for the state or giving it back to the county, I'm going to vote "yes". Local folks are likely far less corrupt.

The problem I have is we're replacing accessible hunting / recreational property with a gas station if State Rep Jamie Kiel's plans come to fruition. There is limited traffic on I-22 and multiple gas stations between Jasper and the state line. Two more are currently going in at the I-22 / Industrial intersection in Jasper now. Kiel's idea may not even be feasible as this market is fairly saturated. And, with finite traffic on the corridor, development potentially won't generate more revenue / taxes, it will be spreading what is there between more vendors. I hate to open a slippery slope where the outdoor community loses hunting and recreational opportunities.

The "recreational opportunities" on properties like this are sold to the highest bidder on state lands. I posted links above showing examples of that.

That's correct. Any monies from the leases and / or timber sales go to the school systems who own the property.