(2) Whenever the owner or operator of a junkyard places junk on state highway right of way adjacent to or in the immediate vicinity of the junkyard, the director, 10 days after written notice is mailed to the person owning or operating the junkyard, may remove and store the junk. Junk placed on a highway right of way adjacent to or in the vicinity of a junkyard is prima facie evidence that it has been placed there by the owner or the operator of the junkyard. After 30 days of storage, unless claimed sooner by the owner, the director may sell or otherwise dispose of the junk by sale or otherwise. When removal is performed by the director, the director shall not be liable for conversion of any personal property and the director may collect the director’s cost for removal, storage and sale or disposal from the person owning the junk. [1967 c.590 §8; 1975 c.262 §2; 1979 c.210 §4; 1993 c.741 §51]