(1) (a) The commission shall adopt a program to control open burning in each portion of the state in which such control is necessary in order to carry out the policies of this article, as set forth in section 25-7-102, and to comply with the requirements of the federal act. Such program shall include emission control regulations and the designation, after public hearing and from time to time, of such portions by legal description.

(b) Open burning in the course of agricultural operations may be regulated only where the absence of regulations would substantially impede the commission in carrying out the objectives of this article. In adopting any program applicable to agricultural operations, the commission shall take into consideration the necessity of conducting open burning. For purposes of this section, "agricultural operations" does not include grassland, forest, or habitat management activities of significant users of prescribed fire conducted on lands the primary purpose of which is nonagricultural, unless a person asserts and the commission finds that the absence of regulation would substantially impede the objectives of this article. Such activities shall be deemed "commercial purposes" within the meaning of paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of this section.

(c) No permit shall be issued by the division pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of this section after July 1, 2002, unless such permit is consistent with the comments and recommendations of the commission concerning the planning document, as defined in section 25-7-106 (8)(b)(II), applicable to the area to be burned; except that permit conditions may be excluded from a permit if a significant user of prescribed fire demonstrates and the state finds that such conditions are inconsistent with applicable law. The division shall report all such exclusions, within thirty days after they are granted, to the governor and to the director of the legislative council. In no event shall a permit be issued unless a planning document for the area to be burned has been submitted to the commission for review, public hearing, and comment in accordance with section 25-7-106 (8). The commission shall adopt rules to provide for exceptions from the requirements of section 25-7-106 (8) when immediate issuance of a permit is necessary to protect the public health and safety.

(2) (a) Within such designated portions of the state, no person shall burn or permit to be burned on any open premises owned or controlled by such person, or on any public street, alley, or other land adjacent to such premises any rubbish, wastepaper, wood, or other flammable material, unless a permit therefor has first been obtained from the division. In granting or denying the issuance of any such permit, the division shall base its action on the location and proximity of such burning to any building or other structure, the potential contribution of such burning to air pollution in the area, climatic conditions on the day of such burning, and compliance by the applicant for the permit with applicable fire protection and safety requirements of the local authority or area.

(b) In all or any part of any portion of the state designated pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the prohibition contained in this subsection (2) may be suspended by the commission with respect to any particular type or category of open burning upon a finding that enforcement of the prohibition would neither significantly assist in the prevention, abatement, and control of air pollution nor significantly enhance the quality of the ambient air in such designated area.

(3) (a) Any person who violates paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of this section by burning or permitting any burning for noncommercial purposes without first having obtained a permit as required shall be subject to a civil penalty of up to five hundred dollars per day for each day during which such a violation occurs. For a second violation, the civil penalty shall be up to one thousand dollars per day for each day during which such a violation occurs. For a third or subsequent violation, the civil penalty shall be up to one thousand five hundred dollars per day for each day during which such a violation occurs.

(b) Any person who violates paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of this section by burning or permitting any burning for commercial purposes without first having obtained a permit as required shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars per day for each day during which such a violation occurs.