(a)
(1) Any person may file with the commissioner a signed complaint against any person allegedly violating any provisions of this part. Unless the commissioner determines that such complaint is duplicitous or frivolous, the commissioner shall immediately serve a copy of it upon the person or persons named in the complaint, promptly investigate the allegations contained in the complaint, and notify the alleged violator of what action, if any, the commissioner will take. In all cases, the commissioner shall notify the complainant of the action or determination within ninety (90) days from the date of the commissioner's receipt of the written complaint.
(2) If either the complainant or the alleged violator believes that the commissioner's action or determination is or will be inadequate or too severe, such person may appeal to the board for a hearing, which will be conducted pursuant to § 69-3-110. The appeal must be made within thirty (30) days after receipt of the notification sent by the commissioner.
(3) If the commissioner fails to take the action stated in the notification, the complainant may make an appeal to the board within thirty (30) days from the time at which the complainant knows or has reason to know of such failure.
(4) The department shall not be obligated to assist a complainant in gathering information or making investigations or to provide counsel for the purpose of drawing up the complaint.
(b) The penalties, damages, and injunctions provided for in §§ 69-3-115 — 69-3-119 are intended to provide additional and cumulative remedies to prevent, abate, and control the pollution of the waters of the state. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to abridge or alter rights of action or remedies in equity or under common law or statutory law, criminal or civil, nor shall any provision of §§ 69-3-115 — 69-3-117 or this section, or any act done by virtue thereof, be construed as estopping the state or any municipality or person, as riparian owners or otherwise, in the exercise of their rights in equity or under the common law or statutory law to suppress nuisances, to abate pollution, or to recover damages resulting from such pollution.
(c) The board, department or its officials and employees acting in their official capacity shall not be considered “persons” pursuant to this section.
Copyright ©2024 LegalFix. All rights reserved. LegalFix is not a law firm, is not licensed to practice law, and does not provide legal advice, services, or representation. The information on this website is an overview of the legal plans you can purchase—or that may be provided by your employer as an employee benefit or by your credit union or other membership group as a membership benefit.
LegalFix provides its members with easy access to affordable legal services through a network of independent law firms. LegalFix, its corporate entity, and its officers, directors, employees, agents, and contractors do not provide legal advice, services, or representation—directly or indirectly.
The articles and information on the site are not legal advice and should not be relied upon—they are for information purposes only. You should become a LegalFix member to get legal services from one of our network law firms.
You should not disclose confidential or potentially incriminating information to LegalFix—you should only communicate such information to your network law firm.
The benefits and legal services described in the LegalFix legal plans are not always available in all states or with all plans. See the legal plan Benefit Overview and the more comprehensive legal plan contract during checkout for coverage details in your state.
Use of this website, the purchase of legal plans, and access to the LegalFix networks of law firms are subject to the LegalFix Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.