(a) The Department shall have the right to direct the conduct of such investigations as it may reasonably deem necessary to carry out its duties prescribed in this chapter and the Department shall have the right to conduct such investigations, and for the purpose of inspections the employees of the Department and agents of the Department have the right to enter at reasonable times on any property, public or private, for the purpose of investigating the condition, construction or operation of any dam or associated equipment facility or property, and to require written statements or the filing of reports under oath, with respect to pertinent questions relating to the construction or operation of any dam. No person shall refuse entry or access to any authorized representative of the Department who requests entry for purposes of inspection, and who presents appropriate credentials, nor shall any person obstruct, hamper or interfere with any representative while in the process of carrying out that representative's official duties. (b) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter, the Department, upon receipt of information that any dam may present an imminent and substantial hazard to the public health, safety or welfare, may take such actions as it determines to be necessary to protect the public health, safety or welfare. The Department may direct the owner or custodian of the dam to take such actions as are necessary to prevent, eliminate or reduce the hazard. In the event the owner or custodian fails to take such actions, the Department shall have the right to take all appropriate or necessary action including, but not limited to, breaching or draining. The Department may initiate legal proceedings to recover the emergency costs from the dam owner. Part IV Agricultural and Soil Conservation; Drainage and Reclamation of Lowlands Dredging and Management of Lagoons General Provisions
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