The Department of Natural Resources may ascertain and establish the surveys of the Illinois and Michigan Canal and the strips of land adjacent thereto, including the 90 foot strips as originally made and laid out by the State and Federal governments. The Department may employ, without reference to the State Civil Service Act, such engineers, surveyors, investigators or expert help, as may be necessary for that purpose and enter upon and take possession of any lands or premises now belonging to the State which were granted to it by the Federal government or became its property in connection with the construction of said Illinois and Michigan Canal.