The director of the water resources division is responsible to the commissioner of environment and conservation for the general direction of all matters pertaining to conservation, protection and development of the water resources of the state and the continued study of water resources looking toward the creation and development of a basic, long-range water resource policy for the state, with the exception of the functions relating to the water pollution control exercised by the Tennessee water pollution control board, and such other functions as may otherwise be provided in this part.