1. The commission may classify as forest croplands any lands conveyed to the state for use of the commission. The commission shall pay to the county wherein the state-owned and classified lands are situated a certain sum from the conservation commission fund as a grant in lieu of taxes thereon, which sum shall be set by the commission at not less than fifty cents per acre per year.
2. The grants in lieu of taxes so received by the respective counties shall be placed in the general revenue fund of each such county.
3. The commission shall annually certify to the commissioner of administration and the state auditor the acreage of such lands and the amount payable to each county under the provisions hereof and the treasurer is authorized to pay, and, after appropriations are made as herein provided, such amounts shall be paid to such counties on or before the first day of January following the certification. This section shall not be retroactive.