2015 Oklahoma Statutes
Title 82. Waters and Water Rights
§82-110.5. Oklahoma Water Resources Board - Powers and duties.

The Oklahoma Water Resources Board, in addition to other powers and duties as provided by law, shall have the following powers and duties:

1. To promulgate rules necessary to carry out the provisions of this act, including but not limited to rules relating to hazard and size classifications, minimum standards for design, operation and maintenance of dams, and fee schedules for inspections and other services provided to carry out the dam safety program authorized by this act;

2. To review and grant or deny applications to approve plans and specifications for construction of new dams and modifications of existing dams, based on the applicable minimum standards adopted provided that an owner who proposes to construct a new dam classified as having a low hazard potential that will be used primarily for agriculture purposes, and will be designed or constructed with the assistance of a local conservation district or federal agriculture related agency, shall be required only to notify the Board of such construction;

3. To supervise and oversee construction of new dams and modifications of existing dams;

4. To inspect existing dams and dams under construction in accordance with the following requirements:

a.dams classified as having a high hazard potential shall be inspected at least once annually,

b.dams classified as having a significant hazard potential shall be inspected at least once every three (3) years, and

c.dams classified as having a low hazard potential shall be inspected at least once every five (5) years;

provided, that the Board shall accept an inspection report of a registered professional engineer having practical experience in the analysis, design and construction of dams and employed or retained by the owner for dams classified as high or significant hazard potential, or by an engineer employed by any United States governmental agency acting in an official capacity, and provided further, for dams classified as low hazard potential, the Board may exempt such inspections as set forth in its rules and may accept an inspection report of a person trained in inspecting dams and who is employed or retained by the owner. Fees for such inspections conducted by the Board and for reviewing inspection reports prepared by others shall be as set forth in rules promulgated by the Board;

5. To require maintenance, repairs and modifications of existing dams as necessary, including compliance schedules, so that minimum standards can be met;

6. To have reasonable access to public and private property for the purpose of inspecting and investigating conditions related to dams and to require that records of owners of dams be inspected and copied;

7. To cooperate with agencies of federal, state and local governments and private persons, including but not limited to the Oklahoma Conservation Commission and local conservation districts, in carrying out its duties under this act;

8. To disseminate information about the dam safety program; and

9. To exercise all incidental powers which are necessary and proper to carry out the purposes of this act.

Added by Laws 1992, c. 185, § 5, eff. July 1, 1992.