Whenever in the opinion of the department of health any tract or parcel of land situate in the State is deleterious to the public health in consequence of being low, and at times covered or partly covered by water, or of being situated between high and low water mark, or of being improperly drained, or incapable by reasonable expenditure of effectual drainage, or for other reason in an insanitary or dangerous condition, the department shall report such fact to the comptroller, together with a brief recommendation of the operation deemed advisable to improve the land.