Section 12-5-378. Inspection of dams and other barriers; administrative orders to enforce compliance; emergency action by director

   (a) The director or any authorized agency with which the director has entered into a contract on behalf of the division is authorized to make a visual inspection of any dam or other artificial barrier for which a permit is or may be required by this part and to enter on any property, public or private, at reasonable times without notice for the purpose of accomplishing such inspection. After any such visual inspection, and upon a finding by the director that a dam is not in compliance with any provision of this part or any rule or regulation promulgated hereunder, the director may issue an administrative order to the owner of such dam requiring such owner to undertake, at the owner's expense, such maintenance, alterations, repairs, reconstruction, change in construction or location, or removal as may be deemed necessary by the director, or the draining or lowering of the water level of the dam, within the time period specified in such administrative order.

(b) Based upon a visual inspection of a dam, if the director determines that the dam is not in compliance with this part or any rule and regulation promulgated hereunder, and there is not sufficient time to issue an administrative order, the director may immediately take such measures as may be necessary to provide emergency protection to life or property, including lowering the reservoir level or destroying in whole or in part the barrier and impoundment. The costs of such emergency measures may be recovered by the state in an action brought in the superior court of the county in which the dam is located or the county of residence of the dam owner.

Ga. L. 1978, p. 795, § 9.