RCW 86.09.016: Interest in public lands considered as private property—State or public title not affected.

All leases, contracts or other form of holding any interest in any state or public land shall be treated as the private property of the lessee or owner of the contractual or possessory interest therein: PROVIDED, That nothing in this chapter or in any proceeding authorized thereunder shall be construed to affect the title of the state or other public ownership.