(a) Except as provided in (b) of this section, a person who is or may be adversely affected by a failure to comply with this chapter may commence a civil action in the superior court on the person's own behalf and compel compliance with this chapter against

(1) the commissioner, if the commissioner has failed to perform a nondiscretionary act or duty;

(2) an instrumentality or agency of the state that is in violation of this chapter or a regulation adopted, or an order or permit issued, under this chapter; or

(3) a person who is in violation of a regulation adopted or an order or permit issued under this chapter.

(b) A person may not commence an action under (a)(1) of this section until 60 days after giving the commissioner written notice of the intended action in the manner prescribed by regulations adopted by the commissioner, except that an action may be brought immediately after the notice if the commissioner's failure to perform constitutes an imminent threat to the health or safety of the person or would immediately affect a legal interest of the person.

(c) A person may not commence an action under (a)(2) or (3) of this section

(1) until 60 days after the plaintiff has given notice in writing of the violation to the commissioner and to the agency, instrumentality, or alleged violator;

(2) if the state is diligently prosecuting a civil action in a state or federal court to require compliance with the provisions of this chapter or a regulation adopted or an order or permit issued under this chapter; however, any person may intervene in that civil action as a matter of right.

(d) A person may commence an action under this section only in the judicial district in which the surface coal mining operation is located.

(e) Nothing in this section restricts any right that a person or class of persons may have under statute or common law to seek enforcement of any of the provisions of this chapter and the regulations adopted under it or to seek any other relief, including relief against the commissioner.

(f) A person who is injured or whose property is damaged by the violation by a permittee of a regulation adopted or an order or permit issued under this chapter may bring an action for damages, including reasonable attorney fees and expert witness fees, only in the judicial district in which the permittee's operation is located. Nothing in this subsection affects the rights established by or limits imposed under AS 23.30.

(g) In an action under this section, the commissioner may intervene as a matter of right.