In addition to any other powers or duties heretofore or hereinafter granted, the director has the following powers and duties:
(a) To control and exercise regulatory authority over all quarry operations in this state and enforce the provisions of this article;
(b) To employ all necessary personnel to carry out the purposes and requirements of this article;
(c) To propose any necessary legislative rules, in accordance with the provisions of chapter twenty-nine-a of this code to implement the provisions of this article; and
(d) To make investigations and inspections necessary to ensure compliance with the provisions of this article.
(e) Nothing in this article may be construed as vesting in the director the jurisdiction to adjudicate property-rights disputes.