The Division of Water Resources of the Department of Natural Resources shall cause investigations, surveys and studies to be made in cooperation with appropriate federal, State and local agencies with the view to devising effective means or methods of preventing erosion of the shore of Lake Michigan by waves, currents, structures or other elemental and artificial processes, and of preventing or minimizing in the immediate future damage to homes and other buildings and danger to human life resulting from such erosion. Any expenses incident and necessary thereto shall be paid from funds specifically appropriated for such purpose.