The department, through the board, is hereby authorized and directed to cause a dam to be constructed and/or completed across the outlet of Pymatuning Swamp in Crawford County, for the purpose of establishing a reservoir and conserving the water entering said swamp, and for the purpose of regulating the flow of water in the Shenango and Beaver Rivers. The dam shall be constructed, and the reservoir established, in accordance with plans and specifications which have been or which shall be prepared by or under the direction of the department, and shall be so constructed and established as to conserve said waters in a safe and practical manner, and to regulate the flow therefrom so as to maintain throughout the year as regular a flow of water as possible in said rivers. The reservoir and land surrounding it acquired by the Commonwealth in connection with the project, or portions of such reservoir and lands, may be developed and used for fishing, hunting, game refuges, recreation park, or other purposes; provided, such use or uses will not, in the opinion of the Water and Power Resources Board, materially interfere with the primary purpose of the reservoir for conserving the water entering Pymatuning Swamp and regulating the flow in the Shenango and Beaver Rivers. The Water and Power Resources Board is vested with complete and final authority concerning the use and development of the land and water comprised within the Pymatuning Reservoir project, and the maintenance and operation of said project, and shall have authority to adopt and establish rules and regulations for the control, management, protection, development, and utilization of such land and water.

The Water and Power Resources Board shall have authority to fix and collect charges for the permissive use of the land and water by private individuals for any purpose or purposes approved by the board. Any moneys so collected by the board shall be paid into the Forests and Waters Fund.