New Hampshire § 485-A:54 Enforcement and Penalties

New Hampshire Statutes

§ 485-A:54 — Enforcement and Penalties

New Hampshire § 485-A:54

Title LWATER MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION

Ch. 485-AWATER POLLUTION AND WASTE DISPOSAL

SubdivisionWinnipesaukee River Basin Control

This text of New Hampshire § 485-A:54 (Enforcement and Penalties) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering New Hampshire primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 485-A:54 (2026).

Text

I.The department may issue an order to any person in violation of this subdivision, a rule adopted under this subdivision, or any condition in any contract or permit issued or entered into under this subdivision. This order may require such remedial or corrective measures as may be necessary. Any person to whom such an order is directed may appeal in accordance with RSA 21-O:14.

II.If the department determines that the discharge to any state-owned treatment facility presents an imminent threat to the environment or to the operation of the treatment facility, the department may issue an order requiring such action as may be necessary to meet the emergency, or may take necessary action to block the public sewer to prevent the discharge of the waste into the treatment facility. Any order is

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I. The department may issue an order to any person in violation of this subdivision, a rule adopted under this subdivision, or any condition in any contract or permit issued or entered into under this subdivision. This order may require such remedial or corrective measures as may be necessary. Any person to whom such an order is directed may appeal in accordance with RSA 21-O:14.
II. If the department determines that the discharge to any state-owned treatment facility presents an imminent threat to the environment or to the operation of the treatment facility, the department may issue an order requiring such action as may be necessary to meet the emergency, or may take necessary action to block the public sewer to prevent the discharge of the waste into the treatment facility. Any order issued under this authority shall take effect immediately. A person to whom such an order is issued or any person affected by action taken by the department under this paragraph may appeal to the commissioner or designee for a hearing on such order or action, which shall be held within 2 working days after receipt of the request for the hearing. The person may appeal the decision on such hearing pursuant to RSA 21-O:14.
III. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter, or any rule adopted or order issued under this subdivision, shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 for each violation, or for each day of a continuing violation.
IV. Any violation of the provisions of this subdivision, or of any rule adopted or order issued under it, or of any condition in any permit issued or contract entered into under the authority of this subdivision, may be enjoined by the superior court upon application by the attorney general.
V. The commissioner of environmental services, after notice and hearing pursuant to RSA 541-A, may impose an administrative fine not to exceed $2,000 for each offense upon any person who violates any provision of this subdivision, any rule adopted under this subdivision, or any permit or contract entered into under the authority of this subdivision. Rehearings and appeals from a decision of the commissioner under this paragraph shall be in accordance with RSA 541. Any administrative fine imposed under this section shall not preclude the imposition of further penalties under this subdivision. The proceeds of administrative fines levied pursuant to this paragraph shall be deposited by the department in the replacement fund established pursuant to RSA 485-A:51. The commissioner shall adopt rules, under RSA 541-A, relative to:
(a) A schedule of administrative fines which may be imposed under this paragraph for violations of this chapter as provided above.
(b) Procedures for notice and hearing prior to the imposition of an administrative fine.