(1) The Department of Transportation may go upon private property in the manner provided by ORS 35.220 to determine the advisability or practicability of locating and constructing a highway over the property or the source, suitability or availability of road-building materials thereon.
(2)(a) The department may go upon private property in the manner provided by ORS 35.220 to inspect a tree that the department believes may potentially pose an immediate and substantial risk of damage or injury because the tree is obstructing, hanging over or otherwise encroaching or threatening to encroach in any manner on a state highway.
(b) If after inspecting the tree the department believes that the tree presents a potential risk as described in paragraph (a) of this subsection, the department may request that an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture conduct a technical evaluation, as defined by the department by rule, of the tree.
(c) If the arborist determines after conducting a technical evaluation that the tree presents an immediate and substantial risk of damage or injury, the department may immediately cut down the tree.
(3) The department may go upon private property to cut down or remove trees located on the property without notifying the property owner if the department has determined that the trees create an immediate and substantial risk of damage or injury by obstructing, hanging over or otherwise encroaching or threatening to encroach in any manner on a state highway.
(4) Within a reasonable amount of time after the department cuts down or removes trees in the manner provided by subsection (2) or (3) of this section, the department shall locate the property owner and notify the property owner of the department’s actions. The department may establish the process of notification by rule.