Inasmuch as the value of land with standing timber is increasing and will continue to increase from year to year and no loss will be caused to the common school fund or other fund into which the proceeds of the sale of any land held by the state would be paid by postponing the sale thereof, the commissioner of public lands may, upon his or her own motion, and shall, when directed so to do by the state parks and recreation commission, withdraw from sale any land held by the state abutting on any public highway and certify to the commission that such land is withheld from sale pursuant to the terms of this section.

Such lands shall not be sold until directed by the legislature, and shall in the meantime be under the care, charge, control, and supervision of the commission.