§ 56 — License and lease requirements; violations; penalties; enforcement

Section 56. No person shall explore by seismic, electronic or any other method for mineral resources on or in said coastal waters or lands thereunder without a license from said director. No person shall, except for purposes of exploration permitted under a license, extract mineral resources from said coastal waters or lands thereunder without a lease issued by said director. Any person violating any provision of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars and, in addition thereto, any equipment, vehicles, boats and appurtenances used in said violation shall be liable to seizure and forfeiture. Any person violating any rule or regulation of the director shall be punished by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, and his license or lease, if any, shall be subject to revocation or suspension. Violations committed within the coastal waters may be prosecuted in any district which has venue over coastal waters. The division of law enforcement shall enforce the laws, rules and regulations relating to mineral resources.