Sec. 81.502. POWERS AND DUTIES. To the extent necessary to carry out the purposes of this subchapter, the department may:
(1) determine the acceptance or rejection of state scientific areas proposed for incorporation into a state system of scientific areas;
(2) make and publish all rules and regulations necessary for the management and protection of scientific areas;
(3) cooperate and contract with any agencies, organizations, or individuals for the purposes of this subchapter;
(4) accept gifts, grants, devises, and bequests of money, securities, or property to be used in accordance with the tenor of such gift, grant, devise, or bequest;
(5) formulate policies for the selection, acquisition, management, and protection of state scientific areas;
(6) negotiate for and approve the dedication of state scientific areas as part of the system;
(7) advocate research, investigations, interpretive programs, and publication and dissemination of information pertaining to state scientific areas and related areas of scientific value;
(8) acquire interests in real property by purchase; and
(9) hold and manage lands within the system.
Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975.