1. Prior to the commencement of the construction, alteration, enlargement, reduction or removal of a dam or reservoir, the owner shall apply to the council and upon satisfying the requirements of sections 236.400 to 236.500 and the rules, regulations and standards promulgated pursuant hereto, obtain a construction permit.

2. The application for a construction permit shall bear the seal and signature of an experienced professional engineer registered in Missouri or employed by a qualified engineering division of a state or federal agency regularly engaged in dam construction for soil and water conservation, or irrigation or relating to wildlife conservation and shall be accompanied by the design report and plans and specification of the proposed design, alteration, enlargement, reduction, repair or removal of the dam or reservoir.

3. Any person constructing or owning a dam or reservoir, or living or owning property in an area affected, or whose safety may be affected by such dam or reservoir may consult with the chief engineer concerning such dam or reservoir.

4. The council upon hearing the recommendation of the chief engineer shall approve or deny an application for a construction permit within forty-five days after its receipt or the completion of any hearings in connection with such application, whichever is later. The permit shall be issued upon the receipt of the application if, in the judgment of the council, requirements of sections 236.400 to 236.500 and all standards, rules and regulations hereunder are satisfied and the design will be adequate to protect the public safety, life and property.

5. The council upon hearing the recommendation of the chief engineer may reject the application if it decides that there is insufficient information to determine the safety of the proposed construction, alteration, enlargement, reduction or removal of the dam or reservoir or that the construction, alteration, enlargement, reduction or removal of the dam or reservoir would endanger public safety, life or property, or otherwise not comply with sections 236.400 to 236.500 and any rules, standards, guidelines and regulations adopted hereunder.

6. A landowner who now owns or proposes to construct an agricultural dam or reservoir which will be used primarily for agricultural purposes will be exempt from all provisions of sections 236.400 to 236.500. If the council with the advice of the chief engineer, determines that the dam or reservoir is no longer used primarily for agricultural services, it shall become subject to the provisions of sections 236.400 to 236.500.

7. Dams or their construction, alterations, enlargements, reductions or removals designed by, and their construction, alteration, enlargement, reduction or repair or removal monitored by, a qualified engineer regularly engaged in dam construction for soil and water conservation or irrigation or relating to wildlife conservation are for the purposes of such construction or other listed actions exempt from the provisions of this section except that the plans for the dam shall be filed with the chief engineer prior to construction, or other listed action. Amended plans shall be filed at the completion of construction or other listed action if there have been significant deviations from the previously filed plans.