Sec. 3. (a) If:
(1) at least twenty percent (20%) of the owners of land abutting upon or within one-fourth (1/4) mile of the shoreline or water line of a lake;
(2) the department; or
(3) the board of commissioners of a county in which a lake is located;
desire to stabilize, raise, or establish and maintain the level of the lake by means of a control dam or other structure, diverting water into or away from the lake, pumping water into or out of the lake, or other means, the landowners, department, or county commissioners may apply either separately or jointly for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, and rehabilitation of a control dam or other structure, the construction of pumping stations, the construction, reconstruction, repair, or recleaning of outlet or inlet ditches, or other means by filing a petition with the circuit or superior court of the county in which the greater or greatest area of the lake lies.
(b) A petition must be filed in duplicate with the clerk of the court.
(c) If the petition is approved by the court, attorney's fees become a part of the total costs of the project. If the petition is dismissed, the petitioners shall pay the attorney's fees.