(1) A state agency, department, or authority with a direct interest in the use of a forest heritage preserve must submit in writing a petition to the commission that an imperative and unavoidable necessity for such other use exists;
(2) Upon receipt of such petition, the commission shall give public hearing thereon in the county or counties in which the forest heritage preserve is located;
(3) The commission shall consider fully all testimony relative to the proposed use and submit a recommendation to the General Assembly; and
(4) The General Assembly shall then determine if such use is in the public interest and may by statute approve such other use of the forest heritage preserve.