Sec. 12. (a) The director shall prepare and maintain a plan for the establishment, development, management, use, and administration of rivers in the system. The river system plan shall be included and becomes an integral part of the comprehensive state plans for water management and outdoor recreation.
(b) When a river is proclaimed a part of the system, the river becomes an administrative responsibility of the director. The director shall take the necessary action in keeping with the policy of this chapter to acquire, develop, maintain, and preserve the river and authorized related land area in accordance with the director's powers and duties with respect to parks, fish and wildlife areas, reservoirs, forests, and miscellaneous areas. The director may seek assistance in the development, operation, and maintenance of scenic rivers from other governmental units and agencies.