The office created by the commissioner of natural resources under Code Section 12-3-6 shall be considered as the state agency authorized to deal with the secretary of the interior pursuant to the requirements of the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965, and in this respect the head of the agency thus designated is authorized, with the approval of the Governor and the commissioner of natural resources, to appoint personnel for such office, establish the compensation for such personnel, and set out the powers, duties, and authority of such office and personnel therein.