§ 10.1-569.1. Stop work orders by Board; civil penalties
A. An aggrieved owner of property sustaining pecuniary damage resulting from a violation of an approved plan or required permit, or from the conduct of land-disturbing activities commenced without an approved plan or required permit, may give written notice of the alleged violation to the program authority and to the Director.
B. Upon receipt of the notice from the aggrieved owner and notification to the program authority, the Director shall conduct an investigation of the aggrieved owner's complaint.
C. If the program authority has not responded to the alleged violation in a manner which causes the violation to cease and abates the damage to the aggrieved owner's property within thirty days following receipt of the notice from the aggrieved owner, the aggrieved owner may request that the Director require the violator to stop the violation and abate the damage to his property.
D. If (i) the Director's investigation of the complaint indicates that the program authority has not responded to the alleged violation as required by the local program, (ii) the program authority has not responded to the alleged violation within thirty days from the date of the notice given pursuant to subsection A of this section, and (iii) the Director is requested by the aggrieved owner to require the violator to cease the violation, then the Director shall give written notice to the program authority that the Director will request the Board to issue an order pursuant to subsection E of this section.
E. If the program authority has not instituted action to stop the violation and abate the damage to the aggrieved owner's property within ten days following receipt of the notice from the Director, the Board is authorized to issue an order requiring the owner, permittee, person responsible for carrying out an approved plan, or person conducting the land-disturbing activities without an approved plan or required permit to cease all land-disturbing activities until the violation of the plan or permit has ceased, or an approved plan and required permits are obtained, as appropriate, and specified corrective measures have been completed.
F. Such orders are to be issued only after a hearing with reasonable notice to the affected person of the time, place and purpose thereof, and they shall become effective upon service on the person by certified mail, return receipt requested, sent to his address specified in the land records of the locality, or by personal delivery by an agent of the Director. However, if the Board finds that any such violation is grossly affecting or presents an imminent and substantial danger of causing harmful erosion of lands or sediment deposition in waters within the watersheds of the Commonwealth, it may issue, without advance notice or hearing, an emergency order directing such person to cease all land-disturbing activities on the site immediately and shall provide an opportunity for a hearing, after reasonable notice as to the time and place thereof, to such person, to affirm, modify, amend or cancel such emergency order.
G. If a person who has been issued an order or emergency order is not complying with the terms thereof, the Board may institute a proceeding in the appropriate circuit court for an injunction, mandamus, or other appropriate remedy compelling the person to comply with such order.
H. Any person violating or failing, neglecting or refusing to obey any injunction, mandamus or other remedy obtained pursuant to subsection G of this section shall be subject, in the discretion of the court, to a civil penalty not to exceed $2,000 for each violation. Any civil penalties assessed by a court shall be paid into the state treasury.
(1993, c. 925.)
Sections: Previous 10.1-561.1 10.1-562 10.1-563 10.1-564 10.1-565 10.1-566 10.1-566.1 10.1-567 10.1-568 10.1-569 10.1-569.1 10.1-570 10.1-571 10.1-572 10.1-573 NextLast modified: April 2, 2009