Any locality authorized by its charter or by general law to construct a dam in connection with its public water supply system and which has secured permission from the Chief of Engineers and the Secretary of the Army and the authorization of the Attorney General of Virginia with the consent and approval of the Governor, may construct such dam in and across the bed of any navigable river, stream or tributary in this Commonwealth; however, such dam shall not be constructed nor any land acquired therefor when the dam would be located in another locality without the approval of such locality’s governing body. No such approval shall be required when the dam is in the process of construction, the site has been purchased, or plans for its construction were filed with any appropriate agency of the federal, state, or local government on or before July 1, 1976. In any case in which the approval by such locality’s governing body is withheld, the party seeking such approval may petition the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia for the convening of a special court, pursuant to §§ 15.2-2135 through 15.2-2141.