The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection may designate lands owned by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection as lands of public use and benefit. The commissioner may place conservation or preservation restrictions, as defined in section 47-42a, on any lands owned by the department. For the purposes of this section and section 23-8, “lands of public use and benefit” means land that is used for conservation purposes, public enjoyment purposes, recreational purposes or any activity associated with improving or maintaining such conservation, public enjoyment or recreational purposes.