(a) The State Parks, Recreation, and Travel Commission and the Department of Parks and Tourism shall have the following duties in addition to those otherwise prescribed by law:

(1) To identify and maintain a registry of lands and waters in the state, whether publicly or privately owned, that exhibit outstanding characteristics of scenic beauty;

(2) To cooperate with any federal, state, or local government agency, private organization, or individual;

(3) To investigate, promote, advise, and assist in the preservation, protection, enhancement, and management of scenic resources;

(4) To encourage private organizations and individuals to recognize scenic resources and to utilize "best management practices" in all instances, particularly those affecting scenic resources;

(5) To encourage scenic resources protection by working with agencies and individuals to set up demonstration projects involving such techniques as wildflower plots, adopt-a-spot programs, wetlands restoration, and native plantings wherever possible;

(6) To notify federal agencies of the state's interest in protecting scenic resources and to request that scenic resources protection and enhancement be included in the appropriate planning activities of the agencies;

(7) By December 1 of each year, submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly describing and accounting for the status and condition of each entry listed in the Registry of Scenic Resources and including any recommendations to be considered by the Governor and General Assembly for improving and enhancing the scenic beauty of the state; and

(8) To bring the Registry of Scenic Resources to the attention of the public through its advertising and public relations efforts.

(b) The commission shall not have regulatory power but shall strongly encourage other state agencies to use existing legislation to protect the scenic resources of the state.