The commissioner shall have the authority to:
(1) Employ and commission qualified persons as surface mine reclamation personnel. When properly qualified and commissioned, such personnel shall be vested with such authority as is necessary to enforce all laws, regulations, permits, and orders administered by the department, including the issuance of service of process and shall have the right to carry firearms or other arms while on duty;
(2) Make such investigations or inspections as are necessary to ensure compliance with any provisions of §§ 59-8-304 — 59-8-309, including the right to enter at any time upon a suspected or affected area for such purposes and the right of ingress and egress across intervening properties.