LD 1588
pg. 3
Page 2 of 18 An Act To Amend Certain Laws Administered by the Department of Environmental Pr... Page 4 of 18
Download Bill Text
LR 379
Item 1

 
3. Emergency orders. Whenever it appears to the commissioner,
after investigation, that there is a violation of the laws or
regulations which the department administers or of the terms or
conditions of any of the department's orders, which that is
creating or is likely to create a substantial and immediate danger
to public health or safety or to the environment, the commissioner
may order the person or persons causing or contributing to the
hazard to immediately take such actions as are necessary to reduce
or alleviate the danger. Service of a copy of the commissioner's
findings and order issued under this emergency procedure shall must
be made by the sheriff or deputy sheriff within the county where
the person to whom the order is directed operates or resides hand
delivery by an authorized representative of the department or by
certified mail, return receipt requested, in accordance with the
Maine Rules of Civil Procedure. In the event that the persons are
so numerous that the specified method of service is a practical
impossibility or the commissioner is unable to identify the person
or persons causing or contributing to the hazard, the commissioner
shall make the order known through prominent publication or
announcement in news media serving the affected area.

 
The person to whom the order is directed shall comply with the
order immediately. The order may not be appealed to the Superior
Court in the manner provided in section 346, but within 48 hours
after receipt of the order the person may apply to the board for
a hearing on the order which shall be held by the board within 48
hours after receipt of application. Within 7 days after the
hearing, the board shall make findings of fact and continue,
revoke or modify the order. Within 7 working days after receipt
of the application, the board shall hold a hearing, make findings
of fact and vote on a decision that continues, revokes or
modifies the order.__The nature of the hearing is an appeal.__At
the hearing, all witnesses must be sworn and the commissioner
shall first establish the basis for the order and for naming the
person to whom the order was directed.__The burden of going
forward then shifts to the person appealing to demonstrate, based
upon a preponderance of the evidence, that the order should be
modified or rescinded. The decision of the board may be appealed
to the Superior Court in the manner provided by section 346.

 
Sec. 6. 38 MRSA §361-A, sub-§1-J, as amended by PL 2001, c. 232, §5,
is further amended to read:

 
1-J. Code of Federal Regulations. "Code of Federal
Regulations" means the codification of regulations published in
the Federal Register by the Federal Government, and includes
those regulations effective on or before January 1, 2001 2005.


Page 2 of 18 Top of Page Page 4 of 18