12:6-1.Ā  General powers and duties
The board of commerce and navigation shall:

a.Ā  Investigate and report annually to the governor the routes of the existing inland waterways of this state, the depth of water therein and the useĀ  thereof by traffic of business or pleasure, and the advisability and possibility of increasing the use thereof by extension or improvement, togetherĀ  with the reasons therefor;

b.Ā  Recommend by said report, after such survey as may be rendered possibleĀ  by appropriation for such purpose, the construction of such additional inlandĀ  waterways as are best calculated to promote the interests of the people of thisĀ  state, either by deepening natural streams or channels or the construction ofĀ  artificial channels, or both;

c.Ā  Make or have made such surveys as may be authorized;

d.Ā  Maintain, improve and repair the existing inland waterways and constructĀ  and maintain such additional waterways as may be authorized and constructed; and

e.Ā  Make and enforce proper rules and regulations for the use of the inlandĀ  waterways.
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