§195D-32 Citizen suits. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), any person, acting as a private attorney general, may commence a civil suit on the person's behalf:
(1) Against any state or county agency or instrumentality that is alleged to be in violation of the terms of, or [fails] to fulfill the obligations imposed and agreed to under any habitat conservation plan or safe harbor agreement and accompanying license for public lands as authorized under sections 195D-21 and 195D-22; or
(2) Against the department or board, where there is alleged a failure of the department or board to perform any act or duty required under a habitat conservation plan or safe harbor agreement and accompanying license issued for public lands.
(b) The circuit environmental courts shall have jurisdiction to enforce this section or to order the department or board to perform any act or duty required under this section, provided that:
(1) No action may be commenced under subsection (a)(1) less than sixty days after written notice of the alleged violation has been given to the department, and to the state or county agency or instrumentality alleged to be in violation of this section, except that the action may be brought immediately after the notification in the case of an emergency posing a significant risk to the well-being of any species of fish, wildlife, or plant; and
(2) No action may be commenced under subsection (a)(2) less than sixty days after written notice of the alleged violation has been given to the department, except that the action may be brought immediately after the notification in the case of an emergency posing a significant risk to the well-being of any species of fish or wildlife, or plant.
(c) Any suit brought pursuant to this section may be brought in the judicial circuit where the alleged violation occurred or is occurring. In any suit brought pursuant to this section, where the State is not a party, the attorney general, at the request of the department, may intervene on behalf of the State as a matter of right.
(d) The injunctive relief provided by this section shall not restrict any right that any person or class of persons may have under any other law, including common law, to seek enforcement of any standard or limitation or to seek any other relief, including relief against any instrumentality or agency of the State. [L 2003, c 35, §2; am L 2014, c 218, §8]