When, in the judgment of the department the best interest of the state will be thereby promoted, the department may vacate any plat or plats covering state lands, and vacate any street, alley, or other public place therein situated. The vacation of any such plat shall not affect the vested rights of any person or persons theretofore acquired therein. In the exercise of this authority to vacate the department shall enter an order in the records of its office and at once forward a certified copy thereof to the county auditor of the county wherein the platted lands are located. The auditor shall cause the same to be recorded in the miscellaneous records of the auditor's office and noted on the plat by reference to the volume and page of the record.