SECTION 12A. Suppression of public nuisances on land under control of commonwealth

All persons in charge of land under the control of the commonwealth shall take measures on lands within their charge to suppress the public nuisances named in section eleven, and shall use such lawful means of suppression as the chief superintendent, with the approval of the commissioner, may require, and shall carry out such requirements pursuant to the advice and direction of the chief superintendent, except that the bureau of shade tree management and pest control may, on the request of the agency in charge of said lands, carry out all the duties required by the chief superintendent in connection with control of the Dutch elm disease and the beetles which spread said disease.