283.91 Civil and criminal remedies.

(1) The department of justice, upon a referral pursuant to s. 283.89, may initiate a civil action for a temporary or permanent injunction for any violation of this chapter or any rule promulgated thereunder or of a term or condition of any permit issued under this chapter.

(2) Any person who violates this chapter, any rule promulgated under this chapter, any term or condition of a permit issued under this chapter, or any rule promulgated or order issued under s. 200.45 (1) or (2) shall forfeit not less than $10 nor more than $10,000 for each day of violation, except that the minimum forfeiture does not apply if the point source at which the violation occurred is an animal feeding operation.

(3) Any person who willfully or negligently violates this chapter, any rule promulgated under this chapter or any term or condition of a permit issued under this chapter shall be fined not less than $10 nor more than $25,000 per day of violation, or imprisoned for not more than 6 months or both. If the conviction is for a violation committed after a first conviction of such person under this subsection, the person shall be fined not less than $10 nor more than $50,000 per day of violation, or imprisoned for not more than one year in the county jail or both. The minimum forfeiture does not apply if the point source at which the violation occurred is an animal feeding operation. In determining the amount of the fine under this subsection, the court shall assess an amount which represents an actual and substantial economic deterrent to the action which was the basis of the conviction.

(4) Any person who knowingly makes any false statement, representation, or certification in any application, record, report, plan, or other document filed or required to be maintained under this chapter or who falsifies, tampers with, or knowingly renders inaccurate any monitoring device or method required to be maintained under this chapter shall be fined not less than $10 nor more than $10,000 or imprisoned for not more than 6 months or both.

(5) In addition to all other civil and criminal penalties prescribed under this chapter, the court may assess as an additional penalty a portion or all of the costs of the investigation, including monitoring, which led to the establishment of the violation. The court may award the department of justice the reasonable and necessary expenses of the prosecution, including attorney fees. The department of justice shall deposit in the state treasury for deposit into the general fund all moneys that the court awards to the department or the state under this subsection. The costs of investigation and the expenses of prosecution, including attorney fees, shall be credited to the appropriation account under s. 20.455 (1) (gh).

(6) For the purposes of subs. (3) and (4), the term “person" means in addition to the definition under s. 283.01 (11), any responsible corporate officer.

History: 1973 c. 74; 1983 a. 189 s. 329 (16); 1987 a. 157; 1989 a. 337; 1995 a. 27; 1995 a. 227 s. 876; Stats. 1995 s. 283.91; 1999 a. 150 s. 672; 2001 a. 109; 2003 a. 309.