49-1013. Enforcement and penalties

A. If the director determines that a person is in violation of this chapter or the rules adopted pursuant to this chapter the director may issue an order requiring compliance within a reasonable time. A compliance order becomes final thirty days after the order is served unless within thirty days of service the person named on the order requests a hearing. A hearing shall be conducted pursuant to title 41, chapter 6, article 10. A compliance order that is the subject of a hearing as prescribed by this section becomes final and subject to appeal on the decision of the director to uphold the compliance order. Except as provided in section 41-1092.08, subsection H, the director's final decision may be appealed by any party to the superior court pursuant to title 12, chapter 7, article 6. A person becomes the subject of an enforcement proceeding pursuant to this chapter when a compliance order against that person becomes final.

B. If the director issues a stop use order pursuant to section 49-1023, the owner or operator may request a hearing within thirty days after the issuance of the stop use order. A hearing shall be conducted pursuant to title 41, chapter 6, article 10. Except as provided in section 41-1092.08, subsection H, the director's final decision may be appealed by the owner or operator to the superior court pursuant to title 12, chapter 7, article 6.

C. If a person fails to comply with a final order under this section within the time specified in the order, the person is subject to a civil penalty of not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars for each day of continued noncompliance.

D. An owner who fails to notify or submits false information pursuant to section 49-1002 is subject to a civil penalty of not to exceed ten thousand dollars for each underground storage tank for which notification is not given or false information is submitted.

E. An owner or operator of an underground storage tank who fails to comply with any of the requirements or standards of this chapter or who fails to comply with a stop use order is subject to a civil penalty of not to exceed ten thousand dollars for each underground storage tank for each day of violation.

F. A product deliverer as defined in section 49-1023 who fails to comply with the requirements of section 49-1023, subsection A is subject to a civil penalty of not to exceed ten thousand dollars for each underground storage tank for each violation.

G. The penalties provided for in this section shall not be cumulated with any penalties sought and obtained by the department or the United States pursuant to title VI of the hazardous and solid waste amendments of 1984 (P.L. 98-616; 98 Stat. 3221).

H. The director may file an action in the superior court to enforce this chapter and to collect penalties for violations of this chapter. The director may seek all appropriate relief including temporary and permanent injunctions.

I. All monies collected under the penalty provisions of this section shall be deposited in the state general fund.