Section 75-10-4 - Department; powers and dutiesA. The department may:(1) after consultation with landowners, conservationists and other interested persons, adopt and promulgate rules to carry out the provisions of the Natural Heritage Conservation Act;(2) enter into contracts;(3) enter into joint powers agreements pursuant to the Joint Powers Agreements Act [11-1-1 to 11-1-7 NMSA 1978] to carry out the provisions of the Natural Heritage Conservation Act;(4) make grants to qualified entities for conservation projects;(5) apply for and receive in the name of the department, any public or private funds available to the department to carry out the purposes of the Natural Heritage Conservation Act;(6) acquire conservation or agricultural easements by itself or with a conservation entity or qualified entity; and(7) do all other things necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of the Natural Heritage Conservation Act.B. The department shall: (1) establish a competitive application process for grants from the fund; and(2) establish criteria and priorities for funding conservation projects.