Section 2A. The secretary shall be the state natural resource trustee and may compromise or settle any claim for damages for injury and for destruction or loss of natural resources, including the costs of assessing and evaluating the injury, destruction or loss, incurred or suffered as a result of a release or threat of release, under section 5 of chapter 21E, 42 U.S.C. § 9607(f) 33 U.S.C. § 2706 and other applicable law in accordance with this section. If any such claim, including the costs of assessment, is valued at less than $100,000, or at a higher amount determined in writing by the attorney general, the secretary may settle and compromise the claim if the secretary has given written notice and all pertinent information regarding the settlement to the attorney general or his designee at least 30 days before execution of the settlement. The secretary may settle and compromise claims valued at greater than $100,000, or at a higher amount determined in writing by the attorney general, only with the prior written approval of the attorney general or his designee.