2019 Connecticut General Statutes
Title 22a - Environmental Protection
Chapter 446i - Water Resources. Invasive Plants
Section 22a-354s - Penalty. Court orders.
(a) If the aquifer protection agency or its duly authorized agent finds that any person is conducting or maintaining any activity, facility or condition which violates any provision of sections 22a-354o to 22a-354t, inclusive, or section 14 of public act 89-305*, or any regulation or permit adopted or issued thereunder, the agency or its duly authorized agent may issue a written order by certified mail, return receipt requested, to such person conducting such activity or maintaining such facility or condition to cease such activity immediately or to correct such facility or condition. The agency shall send a copy of such order to any affected water company by certified mail, return receipt requested. Within ten days of the issuance of such order the agency shall hold a hearing to provide the person an opportunity to be heard and show cause why the order should not remain in effect. Any affected water company may testify at the hearing. The agency shall consider the facts presented at the hearing and, within ten days of the completion of the hearing, notify the person by certified mail, return receipt requested, that the original order remains in effect, that a revised order is in effect, or that the order has been withdrawn. The original order shall be effective upon issuance and shall remain in effect until the agency affirms, revises or withdraws the order. The issuance of an order pursuant to this section shall not delay or bar an action pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. The commissioner may issue orders pursuant to sections 22a-6 to 22a-7, inclusive, concerning an activity, facility or condition which is in violation of said sections 22a-354o to 22a-354t, inclusive, or section 14 of public act 89-305* if the municipality in which such activity, facility or condition is located has failed to enforce its aquifer protection regulations.
(b) Any person who commits, takes part in, or assists in any violation of any provision of sections 22a-354o to 22a-354t, inclusive, or section 14 of public act 89-305* or any ordinance or regulation promulgated by municipalities pursuant to the grant of authority herein contained, shall be assessed a civil penalty of not more than one thousand dollars for each offense. Each violation of said sections shall be a separate and distinct offense, and, in the case of a continuing violation, each day's continuance thereof shall be deemed to be a separate and distinct offense. The Superior Court, in an action brought by the commissioner, municipality, district or any person shall have jurisdiction to restrain a continuing violation of said sections, to issue orders directing that the violation be corrected or removed, and to assess civil penalties pursuant to this section. All costs, fees and expenses in connection with such action shall be assessed as damages against the violator together with reasonable attorney's fees which may be allowed, all of which shall be awarded to the municipality, district or person bringing such action.
(c) Any person who wilfully or knowingly violates any provision of sections 22a-354o to 22a-354t, inclusive, or section 14 of public act 89-305* shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars for each day during which such violation continues or be imprisoned not more than six months or both. For a subsequent violation, such person shall be fined not more than two thousand dollars for each day during which such violation continues or be imprisoned not more than one year or both. For the purposes of this subsection, “person” shall be construed to include any responsible corporate officer.
(P.A. 89-305, S. 12, 32.)
*Note: Section 14 of public act 89-305 is special in nature and therefore has not been codified but remains in full force and effect according to its terms.
In claim brought pursuant to Subsec. (b), corporate officer may not be held personally liable for corporate defendants' civil violations of the Aquifer Protection Act under the responsible corporate officer doctrine; legislature has evinced an intent that, for purposes of the Aquifer Protection Act, the responsible corporate officer doctrine applies only to criminal violations under Subsec. (c). 319 C. 80.
