Utah Administrative Code
Topic - Natural Resources
Title R655 - Natural Resources, Water Rights
Rule R655-14 - Administrative Procedures for Enforcement Proceedings Before the Division of Water Rights
Section R655-14-11 - Options for Adjudicative Enforcement

Universal Citation: UT Admin Code R 655-14-11

Current through Bulletin 2024-18, September 15, 2024

(1) The State Engineer may pursue any combination of the following administrative and judicial enforcement actions depending upon the circumstances and gravity of each case.

(a) Notice of Violation: a formal notice of a suspected violation issued in accordance with Section 73-2-25 which:
(i) Cites the law, rule, regulation, permit and/or order allegedly violated;

(ii) States the facts that form the basis for the State Engineer's belief that a violation has occurred;

(iii) States the administrative fine, enforcement costs, and/or other penalty to which the respondent may be subject;

(iv) Specifies a reasonable deadline or deadlines by which the respondent:
(A) Shall comply with the requirements described in the Notice of Violation, and/or

(B) Shall pay the administrative fine and enforcement costs, and/or

(C) Shall submit a written plan or proposal setting forth how and when the respondent proposes to replace water taken without right.

(v) Informs the respondent:
(A) Of the right to file a timely written request for a hearing on the alleged violation, the administrative penalties defined, or both;

(B) That the respondent must file said written request for a hearing with Division within fourteen (14) days after service of the Notice of Violation;

(C) That said written request shall strictly comply with R655-14-16;

(D) That said notice shall become the basis for a Final Judgment and Order of the Presiding Officer upon the respondent's election to waive participation or failure to timely respond or otherwise participate in the proceeding, and

(E) That the Enforcement Engineer may treat each day's violation as a separate violation in describing the Initial Administrative Penalty under Subsection 73-2-25(2)(b)(ii); that is, the administrative penalty continues to accrue each day from the time the violation begins until compliance is achieved.

(vi) Identifies the individual to whom correspondence and inquiries regarding the Notice of Violation should be directed;

(vii) States to whom and the date by which the administrative fine and enforcement costs shall be paid if the respondent elects to waive or fails to request an adjudicative hearing in a timely manner and elects to pay the fine and costs; and

(viii) States the State Engineer's authority to pursue further administrative or judicial enforcement action.

(b) Cease and Desist Order (CDO): an immediate compliance order issued pursuant to Section 73-2-25 either upon discovery of a suspected violation of the Water and Irrigation Code or in combination with a Notice of Violation, which:
(i) Cites the law, rule, license, permit, notice and/or order allegedly violated;

(ii) Describes the act or course of conduct that is prohibited by the Cease and Desist Order;

(iii) Orders the respondent to immediately cease the prohibited act or prohibited course of conduct;

(iv) States any action deemed necessary by the Enforcement Engineer to confirm compliance and assure continued compliance;

(v) Takes effect immediately upon the date issued or within such time as specified by the Enforcement Engineer in the CDO; and

(vi) States the administrative penalties to which the respondent may be subject for any violation of the CDO.

(c) Court Action
(i) Civil: direct recourse to a court of competent jurisdiction either in addition to or in lieu of administrative action where:
(A) It is necessary to enforce a Final Judgment and Order and seek civil and/or administrative penalties

(B) An imminent threat to the public health, safety, welfare or environment exists which warrants injunctive or other emergency relief; or

(C) A pattern of continuous, significant violations exists such that administrative enforcement action alone is unlikely to achieve compliance; or

(D) The court is the most convenient or appropriate forum for resolution of the dispute.

(ii) Criminal: referral to the County Prosecutor or the Attorney General's Office for prosecution or criminal investigation where:
(A) The alleged act or failure to act may be defined as a criminal offense by state law;

(B) Enforcement is beyond the jurisdiction or investigative capability of the State Engineer; or

(C) Criminal sanctions may be appropriate.

(d) Miscellaneous - other enforcement options may be pursued to achieve compliance. Additional options include, but are not limited to:
(i) Joint actions with, or referrals to, other federal, state or local agencies;

(ii) Direct legal or equitable actions in state or federal court; and/or

(iii) Denial, suspension or revocation of state-granted licenses, approvals permits or certifications.

(2) Unless otherwise stated, all notices, orders and judgments are effective upon the date issued.

(3) Combinations of enforcement actions are not mutually exclusive and may be concurrent and/or cumulative.

(4) An IO may be incorporated into a Default Order if the respondent fails to participate as defined herein.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Utah 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.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.