(a) Nothing in this subchapter or the rules promulgated under this subchapter shall prevent any person from undertaking corrective action which would provide reasonable protection of public health and safety and the environment.
(b)
(1) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subchapter, the Director of the Division of Environmental Quality, upon finding that the release may present an imminent and substantial hazard to the health of persons or to the environment and that an emergency exists requiring immediate action to protect the public health and welfare or the environment may, without notice or hearing, issue an order reciting the existence of such an imminent hazard and emergency and requiring that such action be taken as he or she determines to be necessary to protect the health of such persons or the environment and to meet the emergency.
(2) The order of the director may include, but is not limited to, directing the owner or operator of the site which constitutes the hazard to take such steps as are necessary to prevent the act or eliminate the practice which constitutes the hazard, and, with respect to a facility or site, the director may order cessation of operation.
(3) Any person to whom the order is directed shall comply with it immediately, but, upon written application to the director within ten (10) days of the issuance of the order, that person shall be afforded a hearing before the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission within ten (10) days after receipt of the written request.
(4) On the basis of the hearing, the commission shall continue the order in effect or shall revoke or modify it.