After basic resource and user data are gathered by or provided to the commission and the commission deems an area has merit for inclusion into a protected water area system, it may nominate the area for prospective protected water area designation. Other public agencies, interest groups, or citizens, may also recommend nomination of water areas for consideration of inclusion into the protected water area system by submitting to the commission a statement which includes at minimum a general description of the area being recommended for nomination, the resources needing protection, and the benefits to be derived from protecting the resources and a list of the individuals, organizations, and public agencies supporting the nomination.