The director may lease nonoperating right-of-way areas to municipalities or other local agencies for public purposes, and may contribute toward the cost of developing local parks and other recreational facilities on such areas. The director may accept as all or part of the consideration for such lease or for such state contribution any substantial benefits the state will derive from the municipality or other local agency’s undertaking maintenance or landscaping costs which would otherwise be the obligation of the state. Such leases shall contain a provision that whenever the leased land is needed for state highway operating purposes the lease shall terminate. The
department is authorized to classify portions of state highway right-of-way as nonoperating.