(a) The board may have the lands surveyed or subdivided into tracts, lots, or blocks which, in its judgment, will be most conducive and convenient to an advantageous sale or lease of oil, gas, sulphur, or other minerals in and under and that may be produced from the lands; and the board may make maps and plats which it deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this subchapter.
(b) The board may obtain authentic abstracts of title to the lands from time to time as it deems necessary and may take necessary steps to perfect a merchantable title to the lands.