The Department of Natural Resources is authorized to acquire by gift, purchase, condemnation or other lawful means, any necessary lands, rights of way, easements or property necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. For the purpose of making subsurface soil surveys, preliminary surveys and determinations of the amount and extent of such land, rights or other property required, the Department or any unit of local government by its officers, agents or employees, after written notice to the known owners and occupants, if any, may enter upon the lands or waters of any person, subject to responsibility for all damages which shall be occasioned thereby.
     No ditches, drains, tracks, rails, poles, wires, pipe line or other equipment of any public utility company, municipal corporation or other public or private corporation, association or person shall be located, placed or constructed upon, across or under any State property over which the Department has jurisdiction under this Act without first obtaining a permit from the Department. The Department may grant permission to use State property subject to such terms and conditions not inconsistent with this Act as the Department deems in the public interest.