(a)Any hearing involving allegations of violations of this chapter held by the Secretary shall be conducted as follows:
(1)For any hearing on an alleged violation, notification shall be served upon the alleged violator as summonses are served or by registered or certified mail not less than 20 days before the time of said hearing. Not less than 20 days notice of the hearing shall also be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the activity is proposed or the alleged violation has occurred and in a daily newspaper of general circulation throughout the State.
(2)The alleged violator may appear personally or by counsel at the hearing and produce any competent evidence in his or her behalf. The Secretary or the Environmental Appeals Board or its duly authori
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(a) Any hearing involving allegations of violations of this chapter held by the Secretary shall be conducted as follows:
(1) For any hearing on an alleged violation, notification shall be served upon the alleged violator as summonses are served or by registered or certified mail not less than 20 days before the time of said hearing. Not less than 20 days notice of the hearing shall also be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the activity is proposed or the alleged violation has occurred and in a daily newspaper of general circulation throughout the State.
(2) The alleged violator may appear personally or by counsel at the hearing and produce any competent evidence in his or her behalf. The Secretary or the Environmental Appeals Board or its duly authorized designee may administer oaths, examine witnesses and issue, in the name of the Department or the Environmental Appeals Board, notices of hearings or subpoenae requiring the testimony of witnesses and production of books, records or other documents relevant to any matter involved in such hearing; and subpoenae shall also be issued at the request of the alleged violator. In case of contumacy or refusal to obey a notice of hearing or subpoena under this section, the Superior Court in the county in which the hearing is held shall have jurisdiction upon application of the Secretary or the Chairperson of the Environmental Appeals Board to issue an order requiring such person to appear and testify or produce evidence as the case may require.
(3) A record from which a verbatim transcript can be prepared shall be made of all hearings and shall, along with the exhibits and other documents introduced by the Secretary or other party, constitute the record. The expense of preparing any transcript shall be borne by the person requesting it. The Secretary or the Environmental Appeals Board or its duly authorized designee shall make findings of fact based on the record. The Secretary or the Environmental Appeals Board shall then enter an order that will best further the purpose of this chapter, and the order shall include reasons. The Secretary shall promptly give written notice to the persons affected by such order.
(4) The Secretary may collect, from a violator finally adjudged liable, the necessary expenses of the Department for conducting the hearing. Any moneys collected under this section shall be deposited in the Fund pursuant to § 9113 of this title.
(b) (1) Any person or persons, aggrieved by any decision of the Secretary rendered pursuant to this chapter, may appeal the decision to the Environmental Appeals Board in accordance with § 6008 of this title.
(2) Any person who is substantially affected by a decision of the Environmental Appeals Board may appeal to the Superior Court in accordance with § 6009 of this title.
(3) No appeal shall operate to stay automatically any action of the Secretary, but upon application, and for good cause, the Secretary or the Superior Court may stay the action pending disposition of the appeal.
(c) The decisions of the Secretary issued pursuant to the provisions of this section are reviewable only as provided in subsection (b) of this section.