As soon as the Department of Housing is notified of the declaration of a “floodable zone”, it shall proceed, as far as its available funds will allow, in consultation and coordination with the mayor or mayors affected thereby, to study the measures for the relocation of the families affected by floods or the removal of the causes producing floods. With the collaboration of the Department of Transportation and Public Works and the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources, it shall make a survey of the works necessary to avert the loss of life and property from the effects of floods. Likewise, it may, if necessary, acquire lands or buildings to facilitate its work or to drain and render unfloodable such lands, according to its organic act and the regulations thereunder and to this chapter.
Provided, That any owner who, on the effective date of this act, has his only and permanent residence or trade, business or industry constituting his sole means of living, located in a floodable zone, and who is evicted or dispossessed under the provisions of this chapter or of the regulations thereunder, shall be entitled to receive an adequate compensation in keeping with the value of the structure and to cover his expenses of relocation and eviction.
History —Sept. 27, 1961, No. 3, p. 387, § 11; May 31, 1967, No. 90, § 1; June 24, 1975, No. 79, p. 253, § 7; July 3, 1979, No. 80, p. 170, § 4.