(a) The district may issue a complaint to any person on whom civil liability may be imposed pursuant to this article. The complaint shall allege the act or failure to act that constitutes a violation of law, the provision of law authorizing civil liability to be imposed pursuant to this article, and the proposed civil liability.
(b) The complaint shall be served by personal notice or certified mail on the person subject to the district’s discharge and reporting requirements, and shall inform the party served that a hearing shall be conducted within 60 days after the party has been served. The hearing shall be before a hearing officer designated by the board. The person who has been issued a complaint may waive the right to a hearing, in which case the district shall not conduct a hearing. A person dissatisfied with the decision of the hearing officer may appeal to the board of directors within 30 days of notice of the hearing officer’s decision.
(c) If after the hearing, or appeal, if any, it is found that the person has violated reporting or discharge requirements, the hearing officer or board may assess a fine against that person. In determining the amount of the fine the hearing officer or board shall take into consideration all relevant circumstances, including, but not limited to, the extent of harm caused by the violation, the nature and persistence of the violation, the length of time over which the violation occurs and corrective action, if any, attempted or taken by the discharger.
(d) Civil liability may be imposed by the district as follows:
(1) In an amount which does not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) for each day for knowingly or willfully failing or refusing to furnish technical or monitoring reports.
(2) In an amount which does not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each day of intentionally or negligently discharging hazardous waste, as defined in Section 25117 of the Health and Safety Code, knowingly falsifying any information provided in any furnished technical or monitoring report.
(3) In an amount which does not exceed ten dollars ($10) per gallon for discharges in violation of any of the district’s cease and desist or other orders, or prohibitions issued, reissued, or adopted by the district.
(e) All moneys collected under this section shall be deposited in a special district account and shall be made available for the monitoring, treatment, and control of discharges into district facilities.
(f) Unless appealed, orders setting administrative civil liability shall become effective and final upon issuance thereof, and payment shall be made within 30 days. Copies of these orders shall be served by personal service or by registered mail upon the party served with the complaint and upon other persons who appeared at the hearing and requested a copy.
(g) No liability shall be recoverable under this section for any violation for which liability is recovered under Section 13575.
(Added by Stats. 1989, Ch. 1179, Sec. 2.)