There is hereby created in the department of natural resources the division of engineering to be administered by the chief engineer of the department, who shall be a professional engineer registered under Chapter 4733. of the Revised Code or a professional architect certified and registered under Chapter 4703. of the Revised Code. With the approval of the director of natural resources, the chief engineer shall do all of the following:

(A) Administer this chapter;

(B) Provide engineering, architectural, land surveying, and related administrative and maintenance support services to the other divisions in the department;

(C) Implement the department's capital improvement program and facility maintenance projects, including all associated planning, design, contracting, surveying, inspection, and management responsibilities and requirements;

(D) Act as contracting officer in departmental engineering, architectural, surveying, and construction matters regarding capital improvements except for those matters otherwise specifically provided for in law;

(E) Coordinate the department's roadway maintenance program with the department of transportation pursuant to section 5511.05 of the Revised Code and maintain the roadway inventory of the department of natural resources;

(F) Coordinate the department's projects, programs, policies, procedures, and activities with the United States army corps of engineers;

(G) Employ professional and technical assistants and such other employees as are necessary for the performance of the activities required or authorized under this chapter, other work of the division, and any other work agreed to under working agreements or contractual arrangements; prescribe their duties; and fix their compensation in accordance with such schedules as are provided by law for the compensation of state employees;

(H) Except as otherwise provided in the Revised Code, coordinate and conduct all real estate functions for the department of natural resources, including at least acquisitions by purchase, lease, gift, devise, bequest, appropriation, or otherwise; grants through sales, leases, exchanges, easements, and licenses; inventories of land; and other related general management duties;

(I) Coordinate such environmental matters concerning the department and the state as are necessary to comply with the "National Environmental Policy Act of 1969," 83 Stat. 852, 42 U.S.C. 4321, as amended, the "Intergovernmental Cooperation Act of 1968," 82 Stat. 1098, 31 U.S.C. 6506, and the "Federal Water Pollution Control Act," 91 Stat. 1566 (1977), 33 U.S.C. 1251, as amended, and regulations adopted under those acts;

(J) Coordinate and administer compensatory mitigation grant programs and other programs for streams and wetlands as approved in accordance with certifications and permits issued under sections 401 and 404 of the "Federal Water Pollution Control Act," 91 Stat. 1566 (1977), 33 U.S.C. 1251, as amended, by the environmental protection agency and the United States army corps of engineers;

(K) Coordinate all department activities associated with the completion of drainage ditch improvements in accordance with Chapters 6131. and 6133. of the Revised Code;

(L) Assist the department and its divisions by providing department-wide planning, including at least master planning,comprehensive planning, capital improvements planning, and special purpose planning.

Amended by 128th General AssemblyFile No.9, HB 1, §101.01, eff. 7/17/2009.

Effective Date: 09-05-2001; 04-06-2007