If the Board shall, in the course of its duties, find that any works used for storage, diversion or carriage of water are unsafe and a menace to life and property, it shall at once notify the owner or his agent, specifying the changes necessary and allowing a reasonable time for putting the works in safe condition. Upon the request of any party, accompanied by the estimated cost of inspection, the Board shall cause any alleged unsafe works to be inspected. If they shall be found unsafe by the Board, the money deposited by such party shall be refunded and the fees for inspection shall be paid by the owner of such works; and, if not paid by him within thirty (30) days after the decision of the Board, shall be a lien against any property of such owner, to be recovered by suit instituted by the district attorney of the county at the request of the Board. The Board may, when necessary, inspect any works for the storage, diversion or carriage of water and require any changes necessary to secure their safety; and the fees for such inspection shall be a lien on any property of the owner and shall be subject to collection as provided herein; provided, that any works constructed by the United States, or by its duly authorized agencies, shall not be subject to such inspection while under the supervision of officers of the United States. Provided, that liens provided for in this section shall be superior in right to all mortgages or other encumbrances, except ad valorem tax liens, placed upon the land and the water appurtenant thereto or used in connection therewith.
Amended by Laws 1988, c. 203, § 5, emerg. eff. June 10, 1988.