TITLE 75. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

CHAPTER 5. WATER QUALITY

Part 6. Enforcement, Appeal, and Penalties

Civil Penalties -- Injunctions Not Barred -- Venue

75-5-631. Civil penalties -- injunctions not barred -- venue. (1) In an action initiated by the department to collect civil penalties against a person who is found to have violated this chapter or a rule, permit, effluent standard, or order issued under the provisions of this chapter, the person is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $25,000. Each day of violation constitutes a separate violation.

(2) Action under this section does not bar enforcement of this chapter or of rules or orders issued under it by injunction or other appropriate remedy.

(3) The department shall institute and maintain enforcement proceedings in the name of the state. Penalties are recoverable in an action brought by the department. The action must be brought in the district court of the county in which the violation occurred or, if mutually agreed on by the parties in the action, in the district court of the first judicial district, Lewis and Clark County.

(4) In determining the amount of penalties under this section, the district court shall take into account the penalty factors in 75-1-1001.

History: En. Sec. 17, Ch. 21, L. 1971; amd. Sec. 6, Ch. 506, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 67, Ch. 349, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 11, Ch. 455, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 69-4823(1), (3); amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 644, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 297, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 13, Ch. 497, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 10, Ch. 487, L. 2005.