The department is hereby authorized to obtain from the owners of the lands which will be submerged or injured in the State of Ohio by reason of the construction and operation of the said dam and reservoir a release or releases of damages which shall result to such land by reason of the construction and operation of the said dam and reservoir.

All contracts, options and releases shall be in such form as shall be approved by the Attorney General. The department shall proceed to the acquisition of the lands necessary for the construction and operation of the said dam and reservoir within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, either by purchase or condemnation, in the manner hereinbefore provided which lands in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania may be acquired when and as deemed advisable by said department, and the work of constructing said dam and reservoir may be started and/or proceeded with as soon as the department shall deem advisable.

All proceedings whereby the proper agency of this Commonwealth, under authority of former laws, has secured such releases to lands in the State of Ohio, or title or releases to lands in this Commonwealth are hereby validated.