It is unlawful for any person to place, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, remove or abandon any dam under the jurisdiction of the secretary until he or she has first: (a) Filed an application for a certificate of approval with the department; and (b) obtained from the department a certificate of approval: Provided, That routine repairs which do not affect the safety of a dam are not subject to the application and approval requirements. A separate application for a certificate of approval must be submitted by a person for each dam he or she desires to place, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, remove or abandon. One application may be valid for more than one dam involved in a single project or in the formation of a reservoir.

Each application for a certificate of approval shall be made in writing on a form prescribed by the secretary and shall be signed and verified by the applicant. The application shall contain and provide information which may be reasonably required by the secretary to administer the provisions of this article.

In the case of dams designed by the natural resources conservation service for transfer to any political subdivision, the director shall, within sixty days after receipt of a completed application therefor, issue a certificate of approval without review of the plans and specifications: Provided, That the state, its employees and agents are not responsible or liable for errors, omissions or flaws in the design, construction or modification of such dams.