(a) If a responsible person, or a person or discharge cleanup organization under the control of a responsible person, participating in operations to abate, contain, and remove pollution from any unauthorized discharge of oil, reasonably believes that any directions or orders given by the commissioner or the commissioner’s designee under this chapter will unreasonably endanger public safety or natural resources or conflict with directions or orders of the federal on-scene coordinator, the party may refuse to comply with the direction or orders.
(b) The party shall state at the time of refusal the reason or reasons why the party refuses to comply. The party shall give the commissioner written notice of the reason or the reasons for the refusal within 48 hours of the refusal.