<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" citation="COMAR 26.23.01.05" title_num="26" subtitle_num="23" chapter_num="01" heading="Enforcement.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Enforcement Authority. The means of enforcement under this regulation may be made available to county governments with delegated authority under Regulation .03 of this chapter. Any hearing and associated processes under this regulation may be conducted by authorized county governments when these enforcement means are used, upon agreement between the Department and the county.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Complaints and Orders.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>In addition to any other sanction authorized by Environment Article, §5-911, Annotated Code of Maryland, the Department may serve a written complaint upon an alleged violator if the Department determines that there has been a violation of:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Any provision of Environment Article, §§5-901—5-911, Annotated Code of Maryland;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A regulation in this subtitle;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>A permit or condition of a permit;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>An administrative order; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>A condition of an authorization letter.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The complaint shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Identify the violator and the location of the violation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>State the provision violated;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>State the specific facts upon which the complaint is based; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Provide an opportunity to request a hearing to contest the complaint.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>At any time, including during an enforcement action, the Department may issue an administrative order requiring the violator to take corrective action within a certain time period. The corrective action may include any or all of the following:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Cease the violation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Stabilize the site;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Stop all construction work at the site of a regulated activity;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Restore or rectify unlawfully impacted nontidal wetlands; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Submit a written report or plan concerning the violation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Service.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A complaint, order, or other administrative notice issued by the Department may be served on the violator personally, on the violator's agent at the activity site, or by certified mail to the violator's last known address as shown in the Department's records.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>An order issued under this regulation is effective immediately, according to its terms, when it is served.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Hearings.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Department shall give notice and hold any hearing under this subtitle  in conformance with the Administrative Procedure Act and COMAR 08.01.04.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Within 10 calendar days of receiving a complaint, order, or notice under this regulation, the violator may request a hearing in writing.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If a person has been served with an order for corrective action, the person may request a stay in conjunction with a request for a hearing.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A request for stay may be heard before or during a hearing on the complaint. At the request of a permittee, a request for stay may be heard within 10 business days of the Department's receipt of the request.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Administrative Action with Regard to Permit or Bond. The Department may suspend or revoke a permit, letter of authorization, or forfeit a bond on a mitigation plan upon failure of the violator to comply with the requirements of an administrative order. The administrative procedures for permit or letter authorization suspension, revocation, and bond forfeiture are set forth in COMAR 26.23.02.09 and 26.23.04.04.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Statutory Remedies. The provisions of this regulation may not be construed to limit or otherwise affect the authority of the Department to proceed against violators under Environment Article, §5-911, Annotated Cose of Maryland.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>