(225 ILCS 720/8.06) (from Ch. 96 1/2, par. 7908.06)
Sec. 8.06.
Enforcement Procedures.
(a) Whenever, on the basis
of any information available to it, including receipt of information from
any person, the Department has reason to believe that any person is in violation
of any requirement of this Act or any permit condition required by this
Act, the Department shall immediately order inspection of the mining operation
at which the alleged violation is occurring unless the information available
to the Department is
a result of a previous inspection of such mining operation.
When the inspection results from information provided by any person, the
Department shall notify such person when the inspection is proposed to be
carried out and such person shall be allowed to accompany the inspector
during the inspection.
(b) When, on the basis of any inspection, the Department determines that
any condition or practice exists, or that any permittee is in violation
of any requirement of this Act or any permit condition required by this
Act, which condition, practice, or violation also creates an imminent danger
to the health or safety of the public, or is causing, or can reasonably
be expected to cause significant, imminent environmental harm to land, air,
or water resources, the Department or its authorized representative shall
immediately order a cessation of mining and reclamation operations or the
portion thereof relevant to the condition, practice, or violation. Such
cessation order shall remain in effect until the Department determines that
the condition, practice, or violation
has been abated, or until modified, vacated, or terminated by the Department
pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section. When the Department finds that
the ordered cessation of mining and reclamation operations, or any portion
thereof, will not completely abate the imminent danger to health or safety
of the public or the significant imminent environmental harm to land, air,
or water resources, the Department shall, in addition to the cessation order,
require the operator to take whatever affirmative steps the Department deems
necessary to abate the imminent danger or the significant environmental
harm. The operator or permittee may seek immediate injunctive relief from
any order issued under this subsection.
(c) When, on the basis of any inspection, the Department determines that
any permittee is in violation of any requirement of this act or any permit
condition required by this Act, but such violation does not create an imminent
danger to the health or safety of the public, or cannot be reasonably expected
to cause significant, imminent environmental harm to land, air, or water
resources, the Department shall issue a notice to the permittee or his agent
fixing a reasonable time but not more than 90 days for the abatement of
the violation and providing an opportunity for public hearing. Such time
may be extended by the Department for good cause shown on the written finding
of the Department. If, on expiration of the period of time originally fixed
or subsequently extended, the Department finds that the violation has not
been abated, it shall immediately order a cessation of mining and reclamation
operations or the portion thereof relevant to the violation. Such cessation
order shall remain in effect until the Department determines that the violation
has been abated, or until modified, vacated, or terminated by this Section.
In the order of cessation issued by the Department under this subsection,
the Department shall determine the steps necessary to abate the violation
in the most expeditious manner possible, and shall include the necessary
measures in the order. The operator or permittee may seek immediate injunctive
relief from any order issued under this subsection.
(d) When, on the basis of an inspection, the Department determines that
a pattern of violations of any requirements of this Act or any permit conditions
required by this Act exists or has existed,
and if the Department also finds that such violations are caused by the
unwarranted failure of the permittee to comply with any requirements of
this Act or any permit conditions, or that such violations are willfully
caused by the permittee, the Department shall forthwith issue an order to
the permittee to show cause as to why the permit should not be suspended
or revoked and shall provide opportunity for a public hearing, in accordance
with subsection (e) of Section 8.07. The Department shall specify by rule
the minimum number of violations that constitute a pattern of violations
for purposes of this subsection. If the permittee fails to show cause why
the permit should not be suspended or revoked, the Department shall forthwith
suspend or revoke the permit.
(e) Notices and orders issued under this Section shall set forth with
reasonable specificity the nature of the violation and the remedial action
required, the period of time established for abatement, and a reasonable
description of the portion of the mining and reclamation operation to which
the notice or order applies. Each notice or order issued under this Section
shall be given promptly to the permittee or his agent by the Department
and each such notice or order shall be signed by the authorized representative
of the Department issuing it. Any
notice or order issued under this Section may be modified, vacated, or terminated
by the Department. Any notice or order issued under this Section which requires
cessation of mining by the operator shall expire within 30 days of actual
notice to the operator of the notice or order unless a public hearing is
held at the site or within such reasonable proximity to the site that any
viewings of the site can be conducted during the course of public hearing.
(Source: P.A. 81-1015.)
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