The Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission shall have the following rights, powers, and duties (Arkansas Code §§ 15-20-308, 15-20-309, 15-20-312, 15-20-317, and 15-23-308):

1. (1) Choose lands, waters, and interests therein to be acquired for inclusion in the system of natural areas;
2. (2) Acquire fee or other interests in real property for inclusion in the system of natural areas;
3. (3) Consider the characteristics of the natural area, the type and extent of management required to maintain that area, the types and extent of activity permissible, and other factors, and retain fee title or convey that title to another agency or department of the state;
4. (4) Acquire and hold any interest in real property less than fee, including environmental or scenic easements;
5. (5) Establish and amend policies and rules for the selection, acquisition, management, protection, and use of the system of natural areas;

6. (6) Cooperate and contract with:

   1. (A) Government agencies;
   2. (B) Private organizations; and
   3. (C) Individuals;
7. (7) Maintain a registry or inventory of lands and waters in the state that retain their primeval character to a substantial degree or that have features of significant scientific, educational, or recreational interest;

8. (8) Maintain:

   1. (A) An inventory of habitats of rare, vanishing, or endangered species, subspecies, or populations of plants and animals; and
   2. (B) Other appropriate records;
9. (9) Conduct research and investigations, and publish and disseminate information and recommendations;
10. (10) Supervise the protection, management, and use of the system of natural areas and administer and enforce its policies and rules;
11. (11) Investigate, promote, advise, and assist in the preservation, protection, and management of natural areas;

12. (12) Advise agencies of the federal government concerning areas or streams eligible for treatment under federal criteria as:

    1. (A) Wildlife refuges;
    2. (B) Wilderness areas; or
    3. (C) Wild, scenic, or recreational rivers;

13. (13) Submit to the Governor and General Assembly and publish on or before December 1 of each year a report that describes and accounts for the status and condition of each:

    1. (A) Portion of the system of natural areas; and
    2. (B) Natural area listed in the Registry of Natural Areas;
14. (14) Receive gifts, grants, donations, fee conveyances, or transfers of money and property and sell or dispose of such property;

15. (15) With the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and the Governor:

    1. (A) Acquire real property for the purpose of trade or exchange; and
    2. (B) Exchange such property for lands to be included in the system of natural areas;
16. (16) Cause articles of dedication to be recorded in each county wherein any portion of the property affected by the articles shall lie;
17. (17) Establish by rule and operate a system of fees to defray the expense of providing research services to users of the heritage data system;
18. (18) Survey, evaluate, and assess rivers to be considered for designation as components of the Arkansas Natural and Scenic Rivers System;
19. (19) Recommend to the General Assembly rivers to be considered for entry into the Arkansas Natural and Scenic Rivers System;
20. (20) Contract for professional services with any agency or private individual or organization for the proper performance of its functions with respect to natural and scenic rivers;
21. (21) Organize, establish, and serve on an advisory committee for each river considered for recommendation; and
22. (22) Review water-related projects for their potential impacts on the Arkansas Natural and Scenic Rivers System.