(a) In carrying out its purposes under this part, the department shall have the following powers:

(1) To administer all funds available to the department under this part;

(2) To accept or decline any grant of funds made by the United States government or any agency thereof for the purpose of carrying out any of its functions under this part;

(3) To accept or decline gifts, bequests, devises, and endowments to be used in carrying out the purposes of this part;

(4) To act either independently or jointly with any other state department or with any commission, board, or institution of the state in order to carry out its powers and duties under this part;

(5) To request from the various state departments, other agencies and authorities of the state and the political subdivisions of the state and their agencies and authorities such available information as it may require in its work. All such agencies and authorities shall, where practical, within a reasonable time furnish such requested available information to the department;

(6) To make such recommendations and reports to the Governor and to the General Assembly as it deems necessary or advisable, in addition to the annual report required as provided in subsection (b) of this Code section;

(7) To contract with political subdivisions of the State of Georgia and with private persons and corporations pursuant to its functions under this part;

(8) To do all other things necessary and proper to exercise its powers and perform its duties to effectuate the purposes of this part.

(b) The department shall have the following duties under this part:

(1) To formulate, in cooperation with other state agencies, agencies of the United States government, and interested organizations and citizens of the State of Georgia, a comprehensive program and plan for the development of the Altamaha River Basin;

(2) To submit an annual report of its activities under this part and recommendations to the Governor and to notify the members of the General Assembly of the availability of the annual report and recommendations in the manner which it deems to be most effective and efficient.