Arizona Administrative Code
Title 12 - NATURAL RESOURCES
Chapter 15 - DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES
Article 12 - DAM SAFETY PROCEDURES
Section R12-15-1223 - Enforcement Authority

Universal Citation: AZ Admin Code R 12-15-1223

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 38, September 20, 2024

A. The Department may exercise its discretion to take action necessary to prevent danger to human life or property. The Director may take any legal action that is proper and necessary for the enforcement of this Chapter.

B. If the Director has cause to believe that a dam is unsafe or a person is violating or has violated a provision of this Article or A.R.S. Title 45, Chapter 6, Article 1, the Director may issue a notice directing the owner to remedy the safety deficiency or correct the violation. The owner may appeal a notice issued under this subsection as an appealable agency action in accordance with A.R.S. Title 41, Chapter 6, Article 10. If the owner does not appeal within 30 days after the date on the notice, the notice becomes final and may be incorporated as a condition of any license based on the duration of the requirement.

C. If the Director has cause to believe that a dam is unsafe or a person is violating or has violated a provision of this Article or A.R.S. Title 45, Chapter 6, Article 1, the Director may proceed under A.R.S. § 45-1221 to initiate a contested case under A.R.S. Title 41, Chapter 6, Article 10 by requesting an administrative hearing.

D. Following a written decision by an administrative law judge, the Director shall issue a decision and order accepting, rejecting, or modifying the administrative law judge's decision. Upon expiration of time to appeal, the decision and order becomes final and may be incorporated as a condition of any license based on the duration of the requirement.

E. If the Director has cause to believe that a dam is unsafe or a person is violating or has violated a provision of this Article or A.R.S. Title 45, Chapter 6, Article 1 the Director may commence an action in a court of appropriate jurisdiction if:

1. The violation is an emergency requiring appropriate steps to be taken without delay; or

2. The Director has cause to believe that use of the administrative procedure would be ineffective or that delay would ensue and a deterioration in the safety of the dam would occur.

F. If the Director commences an action it shall be brought in a court of appropriate jurisdiction in which:

1. The cause or some part of the cause arose; or

2. The owner or person complained of has his or her place of business; or

3. The owner or person complained of resides.

G. A person determined to be in violation of this Article; A.R.S. Title 45, Chapter 6; a license; or order may be assessed a civil penalty not exceeding $1,000 per day of violation. The Director may offer evidence relating to the amount of the penalty in accordance with A.R.S. § 45-1222.

H. A violation of A.R.S. Title 45, Chapter 6, Article 1 regarding Supervision of Dams, Reservoirs, and Projects is a class 2 misdemeanor, in accordance with A.R.S. § 45-1216.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Arizona may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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