Iowa Code 207.15 – Penalties
Current as of: 2023 | Check for updates
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1. a. (1) A person who violates a permit condition, a provision of this chapter, or a rule or order issued under this chapter is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed five thousand dollars per day for each day of violation.
(2) If a violation results in the issuance of a cessation order, a civil penalty shall be imposed. The penalty shall not exceed five thousand dollars for each day of violation.
b. In determining the amount of the penalty, consideration shall be given to the operator‘s history of previous violations at the particular mining operation, the seriousness of the violation, including any irreparable harm to the environment and any hazard to the health or safety of the public, whether the operator was negligent, and the demonstrated good faith of the operator charged in attempting to achieve rapid compliance after notification of the violation.
c. An operator who fails to correct a violation for which a notice or order has been issued within the period permitted for its correction shall be required to pay a civil penalty of not less than seven hundred fifty dollars for each day during which the failure or violations continue.
Attorney's Note
Under the Iowa Code, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Serious misdemeanor | up to 1 year | between $430 and $2,560 |
Terms Used In Iowa Code 207.15
- Appeal: A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Division: means the division of soil conservation and water quality created within the department of agriculture and land stewardship pursuant to section 159. See Iowa Code 207.2
- Escrow: Money given to a third party to be held for payment until certain conditions are met.
- Fund: means the abandoned mine reclamation fund established pursuant to this chapter. See Iowa Code 207.2
- Operator: means a person engaged in coal mining who removes or intends to remove more than fifty tons of coal from the earth by coal mining within twelve consecutive calendar months in one location. See Iowa Code 207.2
- Permit: means a permit to conduct surface coal mining and reclamation operations issued by the division. See Iowa Code 207.2
- person: means individual, corporation, limited liability company, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership or association, or any other legal entity. See Iowa Code 4.1
- Rule: includes "regulation". See Iowa Code 4.1
2. a. If a notice or order has been issued, the division may assess a recommended penalty in accordance with a schedule established by rule. The person to whom the notice or order was issued may submit written information within fifteen days of the notice or order to be considered by the division. The division shall serve the assessment by certified mail, return receipt requested, within thirty days of issuance of the notice or order. The division may reassess any penalty if necessary to account for facts not reasonably available on the date of issuance of the assessment. A person may consent to a penalty assessment by paying the penalty without resort to judicial proceedings.
b. If a violation results in the issuance of a cessation order pursuant to section 207.14 the division shall assess a penalty.
3. A contested case hearing may be requested pursuant to section 207.14, subsection 4, to review a notice, order, or penalty assessment. A person to whom a penalty assessment has been issued may request a contested case hearing solely for review of the amount of the penalty. A penalty assessment is final if a request for review is not made in a timely manner.
4. Judicial review of any action of the division shall be in accordance with chapter 17A. Judicial review of a penalty assessment shall not be permitted unless the petitioner has posted a bond equal to the amount of the assessed penalty in the district court or has placed the proposed amount in an interest-bearing escrow fund approved by the division.
5. If a violation results in a cessation order pursuant to section 207.14, the attorney general, at the request of the division, shall institute a civil action in district court for injunctive relief.
6. Notwithstanding section 17A.20, an appeal bond shall be required for an appeal of a judgment assessing a civil penalty.
7. A person who willfully and knowingly violates a condition of a permit or any other provision of this chapter, or makes a false statement, representation, or certification, or knowingly fails to make a statement, representation, or certification in an application, record, report, plan, or other document filed or required to be maintained pursuant to this chapter or any order or decision of this chapter, shall be guilty of a serious misdemeanor and notwithstanding section 903.1 the maximum fine shall be ten thousand dollars.
8. Whenever a corporate operator violates a condition of a permit or any other provision of this chapter or fails or refuses to comply with any provision of this chapter, a director, officer, or agent of that corporation who willfully and knowingly authorized, ordered, or carried out such violation, failure, or refusal shall be subject to the same civil penalties or criminal fines and imprisonment that may be imposed upon a person under this section.
9. An employee of the division performing any function or duty under this chapter who knowingly and willfully has a direct or indirect financial interest in any coal mining operation shall be guilty of a serious misdemeanor and notwithstanding section 903.1 the maximum fine shall be two thousand five hundred dollars.