In situations which may result in immediate, unforeseen and unacceptable hazards to life, health or welfare or significant loss of property if corrective action otherwise requiring a permit or a certificate of permission is not undertaken, the commissioner shall expeditiously approve or deny, upon notification and request by the affected property owner, the authorized person or the appropriate federal, state or local authority, the issuance of an emergency authorization to take any corrective action the commissioner deems necessary. The commissioner shall establish the duration of the emergency authorization and such emergency authorization may be extended for a specified period of time if, after all reasonable efforts by the applicant, the emergency has not been abated or for other reasonable cause. Upon the expiration of an emergency authorization, a complete application, in accordance with section 22a-361 or a request for a certificate of permission, in accordance with section 22a-363b, for the retention or continuation of the work performed under the emergency authorization shall be submitted. Any work, structure, fill, obstruction or encroachment authorized on an emergency basis for which an application or request is not received within thirty days after the expiration of the emergency authorization shall be considered unauthorized and subject to all enforcement authorities of the commissioner. This section shall include the repair or reconstruction of structures, fill, obstructions or encroachments damaged or destroyed by an act of nature or casualty loss necessary to avoid economic damage to ongoing commercial activities if the commissioner is notified by the property owner or authorized person of the damage and proposed corrective action within fifteen days of the causative event. Failure to continuously maintain, except for hidden physical or structural damage, a structure, fill, obstruction or encroachment shall not be grounds for emergency authorization.

(P.A. 90-111, S. 3.)