It is in the public interest and to the benefit of the state that watershed lands are rehabilitated to conserve water and soil and to prevent destructive floods.
In furtherance of this policy, the department may conduct surveys and studies, formulate plans, and perform all acts incidental to establishing and maintaining vegetative cover on watershed lands and maintaining watercourse channels free of natural impediments or destructive materials during peak flood flows, including any work necessary to accomplish these purposes.
With the approval of the Director of General Services, the department may enter into contracts with any federal agency or any person, as defined in Section 4101, for any purpose authorized by this section.
The department, or any federal agency or person which has entered into a contract with the department for any purpose authorized by this section, may, in accomplishing the purpose, enter upon, perform required work upon, and inspect any lands.