Pennsylvania Statutes Title 16 Pa.C.S.A. Counties § 16731. Providing and maintaining dykes, banks, causeways and sluiceways for protection of bridges and highways

(a) Authority.--A county, for the purpose of protecting a county bridge or the abutments and approaches of a county bridge and any public highway adjacent to the county bridge from the incursions of the tide floods or waters of any stream, and to prolong the life of any structure, may provide and maintain dykes, banks, causeways and sluiceways over or across any unnavigable stream and may secure a right-of-way for the proper ingress to and egress from the county bridge.

(b) Taking.--In connection with the exercise of the authority under subsection (a), the county may take, injure and destroy any necessary land or property in the manner and subject to the restrictions and procedure provided by law.

(c) Approval.--A change in an existing stream channel under this subchapter may not be undertaken until it has been approved by the Department of Environmental Protection.