(a) The commissioner is authorized to issue stop-work orders for rock harvesting operations in accordance with this section.

(b) When rock harvesting activities have polluted waters of the state as a result of an operator's knowing violation of permit conditions, or an operator has failed or refused to obtain permit coverage as required in § 69-3-145, the commissioner may issue a stop-work order to the operator. The stop-work order shall specify those parts of the rock harvesting activities on site that are contributing to the pollution or require ceasing work until permit coverage is obtained. The stop-work order shall remain in effect until the department determines that the operator has obtained permit coverage and/or has taken all necessary measures to comply with the permit so that further pollution associated with the rock harvesting operations will not occur.

(c) A written request for a hearing before the board of water quality, oil and gas on the stop-work order shall be filed by the operator with the commissioner within thirty (30) days of the receipt of notice. If the operator files the request and also makes a specific request for an informal meeting with the commissioner to show cause why the stop-work order should not have been issued, the commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall meet with the operator within three (3) working days after the hearing request is filed. Any modification or revocation of the stop-work order shall be in writing. If the commissioner or the commissioner's designee upholds the stop-work order, it shall remain in effect until resolution of the appeal or until the operator comes into compliance. If no request for a hearing is made within thirty (30) days of the receipt of notice, the stop-work order shall be final and shall not be subject to review. In such case, the operator shall stabilize the site within sixty (60) days of the receipt of notice.

(c) A written request for a hearing before the board on the stop-work order shall be filed by the operator with the commissioner within thirty (30) days of the receipt of notice. If the operator files the request and also makes a specific request for an informal meeting with the commissioner to show cause why the stop-work order should not have been issued, the commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall meet with the operator within three (3) working days after the hearing request is filed. Any modification or revocation of the stop-work order shall be in writing. If the commissioner or the commissioner's designee upholds the stop-work order, it shall remain in effect until resolution of the appeal or until the operator comes into compliance. If no request for a hearing is made within thirty (30) days of the receipt of notice, the stop-work order shall be final and shall not be subject to review. In such case, the operator shall stabilize the site within sixty (60) days of the receipt of notice.

(d) Failure of an operator to comply with a stop-work order issued pursuant to this section shall subject the operator to another violation of this part in addition to any other violations the operator has committed that is subject to the penalties prescribed in § 69-3-115. The commissioner may also institute proceedings for the confiscation and forfeiture of equipment used in any rock harvesting operation to which a stop-work order has been issued. Such proceedings may be instituted in the chancery court of Davidson County, or in the chancery court of the county in which all or part of the rock harvesting operation is located.