In order to accomplish the purposes of this chapter, the board may authorize the department to do all of the following:

1. (a) Acquire interests in real property and water rights through gift, purchase, lease, easement, and transfer or exchange of easements, development rights or credits, and other interests in real property.
2. (b) Coordinate its activities under the program with any governmental program for surplus real property sales in the state.
3. (c) Award grants to local public agencies, state agencies, tribes, and nonprofit organizations for the purposes of the program.
4. (d) Exercise any authority and comply with the requirements contained in Sections 1348 and 1350, as appropriate, to preserve and enhance desert habitat for purposes of this chapter.