(a) The Board shall be convened upon the request of any owner of a small dam or proposed small dam to review any decision or order of the department respecting any technical standard, study requested, engineering requirement or other technical matter required by the department where the owner disputes the basis for such requirement, the need for such requirement, or the facts found by the department.

(b) No review shall be undertaken if, in the opinion of the department, there exists an immediate hazard to life or property. This subsection shall not be construed to bar a Small Dams Review Board proceeding after, in the judgment of the department, an immediate hazard to life and property no longer exists.