The commissioner of public lands is authorized to lease public lands, property, or any interest therein for the purpose of underground storage of natural gas. Any such lease shall be upon such terms and conditions as the said commissioner may deem for the best interests of the state and as are customary and proper for the protection of the rights of the state and of the lessee and of the owners of the surface of the leased lands, and may be for such primary term as said commissioner may determine and as long thereafter as the lessee continues to use such lands, property, or interest therein for underground storage of gas.