The board of commissioners of an environmental protection district shall have the power to do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of the district, which purposes shall be:
(1) To insure the prudent development of the land areas adjacent to and bordering the Mississippi River, from the toe of the levee to the banks of the river, including batture lands, and the preservation of the economic and natural environment values of such areas, adjacent to land zoned as residential by the governing authority of the parish. The purposes of the district shall further include the designating of land uses on such lands, the establishment of zoning districts on the lands, and the establishment and maintenance of a master plan for the subdivision, use and development of said lands; and
(2) To insure the preservation of the natural beauty and scenery of those lands along the banks of the Mississippi River, including batture lands, and to undertake, encourage and promote programs for the beautification of said lands, including the development of recreational facilities and park areas.