Summary abatement

§ 71-0301. Summary abatement.

Notwithstanding any inconsistent provisions of law, whenever the commissioner finds, after investigation, that any person is causing, engaging in or maintaining a condition or activity which, in his judgment, presents an imminent danger to the health or welfare of the people of the state or results in or is likely to result in irreversible or irreparable damage to natural resources, and relates to the prevention and abatement powers of the commissioner and it therefore appears to be prejudicial to the interests of the people of the state to delay action until an opportunity for a hearing can be provided, the commissioner may, without prior hearing, order such person by notice, in writing wherever practicable or in such other form as in the commissioner's judgment will reasonably notify such person whose practices are intended to be proscribed, to discontinue, abate or alleviate such condition or activity, and thereupon such person shall immediately discontinue, abate or alleviate such condition or activity. As promptly as possible thereafter, not to exceed fifteen days, the commissioner shall provide the person an opportunity to be heard and to present proof that such condition or activity does not violate the provisions of this section. The commissioner shall adopt any other appropriate rules and regulations prescribing the procedure to be followed in the issuance of such orders. Any person who violates any of the provisions of, or who fails to perform any duty imposed by this section, or any rule, regulation or order promulgated by the commissioner hereunder, shall be liable to a civil penalty of not more than twenty-five hundred dollars for each such violation and an additional penalty of not more than five hundred dollars for each day during which such violation continues, and, in addition thereto, such person may be enjoined from continuing such violation. Penalties and injunctive relief provided herein shall be recoverable in an action brought by the attorney general at the request and in the name of the commissioner.