The council shall have the following powers and duties:

1. to conduct scientific and environmental studies;

2. to review and approve proposed dedications of lands to the Long Island Pine Barrens maritime preserve and recommend additional dedications to such maritime preserve;

3. to utilize to the extent feasible, the staff and facilities of state agencies, subject to the approval of the director of the budget, and local agencies to carry out the provisions of this title;

4. to hold public hearings;

5. to contract within amounts appropriated for or otherwise available for professional and technical assistance or advice;

6. to meet not less than once every two months and to encourage the attendance at such meetings of representatives of local governments and interested parties affected by the deliberations of the council;

7. to send copies of the minutes of each meeting to each town and village within the Long Island Pine Barrens maritime reserve, the members of the assembly and senators representing such area and any other interested party upon request;

8. to encourage individuals, corporations, associations and public entities to protect and preserve the unique resources of the reserve including the preserve; and

9. to contract for and to accept assistance, including but not limited to gifts, easements or loans of funds or real property or personal property from the federal government or any agency or instrumentality thereof, or from any agency or instrumentality of the state, or from any other public or private source and to comply, subject to the provisions of this title, with the terms and conditions thereof, subject to the approval of the division of the budget. Notwithstanding the provisions of section eleven of the state finance law, the commission may accept gifts, grants, devises and bequests, whether conditional or unconditional, with the approval of the director of the budget.