The State Forestry Commission shall have the following duties and powers:

(1) To investigate subjects or methods, means, and ways of carrying out such forestry research as it may determine most desirable or necessary in any phase of forestry, or any research which would benefit the promotion of forestry in the State of Georgia, or which would be for the benefit of any industry either privately owned or owned by federal or state governments, or any subdivision thereof;

(2) To promote and assist in the publicizing of the result of any research connected with any phase of forestry. The commission shall cooperate with, and is specifically authorized to counsel and advise, any entity having duties, powers, or objectives similar to or related to those of the commission, including but not limited to any private industry, any agency or agencies of the federal government, this state, other states, and any local governments;

(3) To coordinate all forestry research in the State of Georgia and to see that there is no duplication of research by any agency of the state with any research by the federal government, any county, municipality, or local government, any board, bureau, commission, or any other organization, public or private. The commission shall investigate and determine what forestry research is being carried on by any of the entities listed in this paragraph and shall use the results of this investigation to advise and furnish information to any other entity engaged in forestry research; and

(4) To designate any agency of the state or federal government, or any subdivision thereof, or any other organization which is organized for the purpose of and engaged in forestry research, to carry out any research or experiment in connection with forestry which the commission deems to have the best facilities or to be otherwise best suited for carrying out the particular research or experiment. The commission may, from its funds provided for in this part, allocate to such agency or organization such amount as it deems necessary for such particular research or experiment.