Wash. Admin. Code § 173-400-230 - Regulatory actions

Ecology may take any of the following regulatory actions to enforce this chapter to meet the provisions of RCW 43.21B.300 which is incorporated by reference.

(1) Enforcement actions by ecology-Notice to violators. At least 30 days prior to the commencement of any formal enforcement action under RCW 70A.15.3150 and 70A.15.3160, the department of ecology shall cause written notice to be served upon the alleged violator or violators. The notice shall specify the provision of this chapter or the rule or regulation alleged to be violated, and the facts alleged to constitute a violation thereof, and may include an order that necessary corrective action be taken within a reasonable time. In lieu of an order, ecology may require that the alleged violator or violators appear before it for the purpose of providing ecology information pertaining to the violation or the charges complained of. Every notice of violation shall offer to the alleged violator an opportunity to meet with ecology prior to the commencement of enforcement action.

(2) Civil penalties.

(a) In addition to or as an alternate to any other penalty provided by law, any person who violates any of the provisions of chapter 70A.15 or 70A.25 RCW, or any of the rules in force under such chapters may incur a civil penalty in an amount as set forth in RCW 70A.15.3160. Each such violation shall be a separate and distinct offense, and in case of a continuing violation, each day's continuance shall be a separate and distinct violation.

Any person who fails to take action as specified by an order issued pursuant to this chapter shall be liable for a civil penalty as set forth by RCW 70A.15.3160 for each day of continued noncompliance.

(b) Penalties incurred but not paid shall accrue interest, beginning on the 91st day following the date that the penalty becomes due and payable, at the highest rate allowed by RCW 19.52.020 on the date that the penalty becomes due and payable. If violations or penalties are appealed, interest shall not begin to accrue until the 31st day following final resolution of the appeal.

The maximum penalty amounts established in RCW 70A.15.3160 may be increased annually to account for inflation as determined by the state office of the economic and revenue forecast council.

(c) Each act of commission or omission which procures, aids, or abets in the violation shall be considered a violation under the provisions of this section and subject to the same penalty. The penalties provided in this section shall be imposed pursuant to RCW 43.21B.300.

(d) All penalties recovered under this section by ecology shall be paid into the state treasury and credited to the air pollution control account established in RCW 70A.15.1010 or, if recovered by the authority, shall be paid into the treasury of the authority and credited to its funds. If a prior penalty for the same violation has been paid to a local authority, the penalty imposed by ecology under subsection (a) of this section shall be reduced by the amount of the payment.

(e) To secure the penalty incurred under this section, the state or the authority shall have a lien on any vessel used or operated in violation of this chapter which shall be enforced as provided in RCW 60.36.050.

(f) Public or private entities that are recipients or potential recipients of ecology grants, whether for air quality related activities or not, may have such grants rescinded or withheld by ecology for failure to comply with provisions of this chapter.

(g) In addition to other penalties provided by this chapter, persons knowingly under-reporting emissions or other information used to set fees, or persons required to pay emission or permit fees who are more than 90 days late with such payments may be subject to a penalty equal to three times the amount of the original fee owed.

(3) Assurance of discontinuance. Personnel of ecology or an authority may accept an assurance of discontinuance of any act or practice deemed in violation of this chapter. Any such assurance shall specify a time limit during which discontinuance is to be accomplished. Failure to perform the terms of any such assurance shall constitute prima facie proof of a violation of this chapter or any order issued thereunder which make the alleged act or practice unlawful for the purpose of securing an injunction or other relief from the superior court.

(4) Restraining orders, injunctions. Whenever any person has engaged in, or is about to engage in, any acts or practices which constitute or will constitute a violation of any provision of this chapter, the director, after notice to such person and an opportunity to comply, may petition the superior court of the county wherein the violation is alleged to be occurring or to have occurred for a restraining order or a temporary or permanent injunction or another appropriate order.

(5) Emergency episodes. Ecology may issue such orders as authorized by chapter 173-435 WAC via chapter 70A.15 RCW, whenever an air pollution episode forecast is declared.

(6) Compliance orders. Ecology may issue a compliance order in conjunction with a notice of violation. The order shall require the recipient of the notice of violation either to take necessary corrective action or to submit a plan for corrective action and a date when such action will be initiated.

Notes

Wash. Admin. Code § 173-400-230

Amended by WSR 25-05-042, Filed 2/12/2025, effective 3/15/2025

Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.94 RCW. 93-05-044 (Order 92-34), § 173-400-230, filed 2/17/93, effective 3/20/93; 91-05-064 (Order 90-06), § 173-400-230, filed 2/19/91, effective 3/22/91.