2006 Alabama Code - Section 22-30-19 — Penalties and remedies.

(a) Whenever, on the basis of any information, the department determines that any person is in violation of any requirement of this chapter, any rule or regulation promulgated by the department or any permit issued under authority granted by this chapter, the department may issue an order requiring compliance immediately or within a specified time period, and, in cases where an imminent threat to human health or the environment is demonstrated, suspend operations causing such threat until the department determines that adequate steps are being taken to correct such violations.

(b) Whenever, on the basis of any information, the department determines that there is or has been a release of hazardous waste into the environment from a facility authorized to operate under Section 22-30-12(i), the department may issue an order requiring corrective action or such other response measure as it deems necessary to protect human health or the environment.

(c) Any order issued pursuant to this section or Section 22-22A-5 may include a suspension or revocation of permit issued under this chapter or a suspension or termination of authorization to operate under Section 22-30-12(i) and shall state with reasonable specificity the nature of the required corrective action or other response measure and shall specify a time for compliance.

(d) For the purposes of developing or assisting in the development of any regulation or enforcing the provisions of this chapter, duly designated officers, employees or representatives of the department are authorized to enter, at reasonable times, any establishment or other place maintained by any person where hazardous wastes are generated, stored, treated or disposed of or transported from, and such duly designated officers, employees or representatives of the department are authorized to enter at reasonable times, any premises where records required to be maintained under this chapter, rules or regulations promulgated under this chapter or permits or orders issued under this chapter are maintained and to inspect and copy such records. Each such inspection shall be commenced and completed with reasonable promptness. If the duly designated officer, employee or representative obtains any samples prior to leaving the premises, such officer, employee or representative shall give to the owner, operator or agent in charge a receipt describing the sample obtained and, if requested, a portion of each sample equal in volume or weight to the portion obtained. If any analysis is made of such sample, a copy of the results of such analysis shall be furnished promptly to the owner, operator or agent in charge. Any records, reports or information obtained by any duly designated officer, employee or representative of the department from any person under this section shall be subject to the provisions of Sections 22-30-9 and 22-30-18 concerning trade secrets and confidentiality.

(e) Any person who intentionally, knowingly, recklessly or with criminal negligence:

(1) Transports or causes to be transported any hazardous waste identified or listed under this chapter to a facility or site which does not have a permit or interim status under Section 22-30-12;

(2) Treats, stores or disposes of any hazardous waste identified or listed under this chapter without having obtained a permit or interim status therefor under this chapter; provided, however, that any generator of a hazardous waste identified or listed under this chapter who stores such waste on-site in compliance with the applicable rules promulgated under this chapter for 90 days or less shall not be in violation of this subsection;

(3) Through his handling of any hazardous waste allows such waste to contaminate groundwater without having obtained a permit under this chapter; or, if permitted, violates the conditions of such permit;

(4) Makes, furnishes or files any material false statement, representation or omission in any application, label, manifest, record, report, permit or other document filed, maintained or used for purposes of compliance with this chapter;

(5) Destroys, alters, conceals or fails to maintain or file any application, label, manifest, record, report or other document required to be maintained or filed for purposes of compliance with this chapter; or

(6) Violates any provision of this chapter, any rule or regulation promulgated by the department, any provision of any permit issued by the department or any provision of any order issued under this chapter shall, upon conviction, be subject to a term of imprisonment of not more than 10 years nor less than one year and one day and in addition, may be fined not more than $50,000.00 for each violation; provided that if the conviction is for a violation committed after a first conviction of such person, under this chapter, such person shall be subject to a term of imprisonment of not more than 20 years nor less than two years and in addition, may be fined not more than $100,000.00 for each violation. Each day such violation continues shall constitute a separate violation for purposes of this subsection.

(Acts 1978, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 129, p. 1843, §19; Acts 1981, No. 81-863, p. 1650, §2; Acts 1984, No. 84-50, p. 57, §1; Acts 1984, 2nd Ex. Sess., No. 85-45, p. 52, §1; Acts 1986, No. 86-542, p. 1053, §9; Acts 1987, No. 87-807, p. 1590, §15.)