Powers and duties

The department shall have the following powers and duties with respect to this chapter: 1. To approve an area as a preserve. 2. To make and publish all rules necessary to carrying out the purposes of this chapter. 3. To recommend dedication as preserves, of areas owned by the state under the jurisdiction of the department. 4. To recommend acquisition of areas for dedication as preserves subject to approval by the natural resource commission. 5. To recommend dedication as preserves, areas owned by other public agencies, private groups, and individuals. 6. To make surveys and maintain registries and records of preserves and other areas of educational or scientific value and of habitats for rare and endangered species of plants and animals in the state. 7. To promote research and investigations, carry on interpretive programs and publish and disseminate information pertaining to preserves and related areas of educational or scientific value. 8. To promote the establishment and protection of, and advise in the management of, wild parks and other areas of educational or scientific value and otherwise foster and aid in the preservation of natural conditions elsewhere than in preserves. 9. To design and control the use of official state preserve signs and recommend to the state department of transportation locations for state preserve signs. 10. To submit to the governor and the legislature a report before January 15, 1967, and every two years thereafter which shall account for each preserve in the system and make such other reports and recommendations as it may deem necessary. 11. To prepare and recommend a budget, for inclusion as a line item money request in the departmental budget, for appropriation from the state general fund.