[Use of public highways by pipeline; grant of right by county

commissioners.] The county commissioners of the various counties in the state are hereby empowered and authorized to grant rights-of-way for laying and maintaining pipelines for oil and gas transportation in, on or over public highways in their respective counties to all applicants upon such terms and conditions as such county commissioners deem to be for the best interests of their respective counties, and as prescribed by the terms of this act [70-3-7 to 70-3-9 NMSA 1978].