The analysis says that since the property’s deed requires “the property to remain dedicated to public use as a state park,” that legal challenges could await any planned sale.

The analysis also says that the state could also be on the hook for auction fees — approximately 10 percent of the sale price — but that the cost “would likely be passed on to the buyer.”

Parks boosters have assailed the attempt to sell the park, and the Department of Natural Resources itself declined to discuss selling the park following public backlash against the idea.

Rep. Robert Ross, R-Yukon, said where the sales proceeds go would likely be determined by litigation. The question of whether the state could legally sell the land would also likely end up in the courts, he said.

“This will be litigated,” said Ross, a critic of the purchase. When the state bought the land, “that became an asset of the state of Missouri and now if the state of Missouri decides to sell that, that does not guarantee that that money has to go back to the ASARCO (lead mining) settlement.”

Missouri State Parks has not opened the park, saying it doesn’t have the resources to do so. But boosters say plans call for minimal development that would keep construction costs low.