The department of environmental management shall take steps to suppress the nuisance described in § 2-17-9 and to this end the director of that department may make all necessary rules and regulations governing all work done under the provisions of § 2-17-9 — § 2-17-16. The director may act in cooperation with any person or persons, corporation or corporations, including other states, or the United States, may make any rules governing the suppression or extermination of the disease, including the destruction of diseased or exposed species of five (5) leaved pines and the diseased or exposed species of the genus ribes, that he or she may deem necessary, may at all times enter upon the land of the state or of a municipality, corporation, or other owner or owners, and may use all reasonable means in carrying out the purposes of § 2-17-9 — § 2-17-16 and in those undertakings, may, in accordance with the provisions of those sections, expend the funds appropriated for these purposes.