Virginia Code 62.1-44.19:3.2: Local enforcement of sewage sludge regulations
A. Any locality that has adopted an ordinance for the testing and monitoring of the land application of sewage sludge pursuant to § 62.1-44.19:3 shall have the authority to order the abatement of any violation of § 62.1-44.19:3, 62.1-44.19:3.1, or 62.1-44.19:3.3, or of any violation of any regulation adopted under these sections. Such abatement order shall identify the activity constituting the violation, specify the Code provision or regulation violated by the activity, and order that the activity cease immediately.
Terms Used In Virginia Code 62.1-44.19:3.2
- 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.
- Board: means the State Water Control Board. See Virginia Code 62.1-44.3
- Department: means the Department of Environmental Quality. See Virginia Code 62.1-44.3
- Director: means the Director of the Department of Environmental Quality. See Virginia Code 62.1-44.3
- Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Locality: means a county, city, or town as the context may require. See Virginia Code 1-221
- Person: means an individual, corporation, partnership, association, governmental body, municipal corporation, or any other legal entity. See Virginia Code 62.1-44.3
- Regulation: means a regulation issued under § 62. See Virginia Code 62.1-44.3
- Sewage: means the water-carried human wastes from residences, buildings, industrial establishments or other places together with such industrial wastes and underground, surface, storm, or other water as may be present. See Virginia Code 62.1-44.3
B. In the event of any dispute concerning the existence of a violation, the activity alleged to be in violation shall be halted pending a determination by the Director, whose decision shall be final and binding unless reversed on judicial appeal pursuant to § 2.2-4026. Any person who fails or refuses to halt such activity may be compelled to do so by injunction issued by a court having competent jurisdiction. Upon determination by the Director that there has been a violation of § 62.1-44.19:3, 62.1-44.19:3.1, or 62.1-44.19:3.3, or of any regulation adopted under these sections and that such violation poses an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare, the Department shall commence appropriate action to abate the violation and immediately notify the chief administrative officer of any locality potentially affected by the violation. Neither the Board, the Commonwealth, nor any employee of the Commonwealth shall be liable for failing to provide the notification required by this section.
C. Local governments shall promptly notify the Department of all results from the testing and monitoring of the land application of sewage sludge performed by persons employed by local governments and any violation of § 62.1-44.19:3, 62.1-44.19:3.1, or 62.1-44.19:3.3, or regulations adopted under those sections, discovered by local governments.