(a) Upon petition of ten or more persons owning property above any dam or artificial obstruction existing on October 1, 1982, built upon any stream, the commissioner shall determine whether such dam or artificial obstruction shall be provided by the person, firm, corporation or municipality or political subdivision thereof, owning or controlling the dam or obstruction with a suitable fishway for the passage of fish. Upon receipt of an application for a permit to construct, rebuild or substantially repair a dam or artificial obstruction built upon any stream, the commissioner shall require the dam or artificial obstruction be provided with a fishway if such a facility is necessary to protect fisheries resources by providing access to natural spawning or nursery areas or to protect the public interest by preventing the loss of a fishery from the area of the dam or artificial obstruction. For the purposes of this section, “rebuild” or “substantially repair” means any action altering the structure of the dam or artificial obstruction, changing the use of the dam or artificial obstruction or impeding the available free passage of fish.

(b) Within thirty days from the receipt of such petition or application, the commissioner shall set a time and place for a hearing thereon, if in the opinion of the commissioner a hearing is reasonable or necessary.

(c) Upon determination that a fishway is necessary, the commissioner shall issue an order to the person, firm, corporation or municipality or political subdivision thereof owning or controlling the dam or obstruction to construct a fishway in the form, material, capacity, at such location and within such time as the commissioner establishes. The commissioner shall cause a copy of the order to be served on the person, firm, corporation or municipality or political subdivision thereof. Such fishway shall be constructed and maintained subject to the approval of the commissioner, and shall be kept open and free for the passage of such fish in such manner and during such period as the commissioner requires. If no such period is specified by the commissioner, it shall be kept open and free from April first to November first in each year.