(a) A person shall not unless authorized by the Commissioner prevent the passing of fish in a stream or the outlet or inlet of a natural or artificial pond on a public stream, by means of a rack, screen, weir, or other obstruction, and shall comply with the terms of the notice provided in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) The Commissioner may order such an obstruction removed by the person erecting the same or by the owner of the land on which it is located, by serving on such person or owner a written notice requiring the removal of such obstruction within 10 days after service thereof. When such person fails to remove any such obstruction within the time required in such notice, the Commissioner may remove the same and recover the expense thereof in a civil action on this section. (Added 1961, No. 119, § 1, eff. May 9, 1961.)