33.—(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), where the Ministry considers that it is necessary or expedient to do so for the purpose of preventing or arresting injury to land, it may, by notice in writing served on the person in control of any dam, require him, during such times and in such manner as may be specified in the notice, to regulate or keep open or closed any sluice forming part of the dam, or otherwise to control the quantity of water in the dam.
(2) In exercising its powers under this Article in relation to any dam or sluice, the Ministry shall have regard to any purpose for which the person in control of the dam, or any other person interested in the water, uses or desires to use the water so controlled, and shall so exercise those powers as to interfere as little as may be practicable with such user.
(3) The Ministry shall not exercise the powers conferred by this Article in relation to any dam or sluice which is vested in or controlled by any other government department, any harbour authority, any district council or[F1 any licence holder within the meaning of Part II of the Electricity (Northern Ireland) Order 1992].
(4) If any notice served by the Ministry as aforesaid with respect to any dam or sluice is not complied with—
(a)the person on whom it is served shall be guilty of an offence;
(b)without prejudice to any prosecution for such an offence, the Ministry may, after giving notice in writing to that person, take control of the dam or sluice on such date and for such period as may be specified in the last-mentioned notice; and
(c)if, during that period, any person controls the dam or operates the sluice without the authority of the Ministry, he shall be guilty of an offence.
(5) Any person guilty of an offence under paragraph (4) shall be liable on summary conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding[F2 level 3 on the standard scale], or to both.
(6) In addition to the duties imposed upon persons in control of dams or sluices by the foregoing provisions of this Article, any such person shall control any dam, or operate any sluice forming part of a dam, over which he has control so that as little damage or injury as is practicable, having regard to the purpose for which the dam was constructed, shall be caused to land through flooding, and, in the event of any such person failing so to control any dam or operate any sluice, compensation for damage or injury suffered by any person by reason of such failure shall, without prejudice to any other remedy, be recoverable summarily by the person so damaged or injured.