For the purpose of acquiring, seeding, reforestation, and administering land for forests and of carrying out RCW
79.64.100 and the provisions of this chapter, the department is authorized to issue and dispose of utility bonds of the state of Washington in an amount not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars in principal during the biennium expiring March 31, 1951. However, no sum in excess of one dollar per acre shall ever be paid or allowed either in cash, bonds, or otherwise, for any lands suitable for forest growth, but devoid of such, nor shall any sum in excess of three dollars per acre be paid or allowed either in cash, bonds, or otherwise, for any lands adequately restocked with young growth.
Any utility bonds issued under the provisions of this section may be retired from time to time, whenever there is sufficient money in the forest development account, said bonds to be retired at the discretion of the department either in the order of issuance, or by first retiring bonds with the highest rate of interest.