Effective: December 22, 2005
Latest Legislation: House Bill 397 - 126th General Assembly
(A) The attorney general, the prosecuting attorney of the county, or the city director of law where a violation has occurred, is occurring, or may occur, upon the request of the respective board of health of the health district, the legislative authority of the political subdivision in which a violation has occurred, is occurring, or may occur, or the director of environmental protection, shall prosecute to termination or bring an action for injunction against any person who has violated, is violating, or is threatening to violate any section of this chapter, applicable rules adopted under it, or terms or conditions of a permit, license, or order issued under it. The court of common pleas in which an action for injunction is filed has the jurisdiction to and shall grant preliminary and permanent injunctive relief upon a showing that the person against whom the action is brought has violated, is violating, or is threatening to violate any section of this chapter, applicable rules adopted under it, or terms or conditions of a permit, license, or order issued under it. The court shall give precedence to such an action over all other cases.
(B) If the board of health of the health district in which a violation has occurred or is occurring or the director determines that any person has violated or is violating this chapter, a rule adopted under it, or a term or condition of a permit, license, or order issued under it, the board or the director may request in writing that the attorney general, the prosecuting attorney of the county, or the city director of law where the violation has occurred or is occurring bring an action for civil penalties in any court of competent jurisdiction. Such an action shall have precedence over all other cases. The court may impose upon the person a civil penalty of not more than ten thousand dollars for each day of each violation of this chapter, a rule adopted under it, or a term or condition of a permit, license, or order issued under it.
Moneys resulting from civil penalties imposed by an action brought at the request of the board of health shall be credited to the special fund of the health district created in section 3714.07 of the Revised Code. Moneys resulting from civil penalties imposed by an action brought at the request of the director shall be credited to the hazardous waste clean-up fund created in section 3734.28 of the Revised Code.
Any action under this division is a civil action, governed by the Rules of Civil Procedure.
(C) The director and board of health, within their respective territorial jurisdictions, may, upon their own initiative, investigate or make inquiries regarding the disposal of construction and demolition debris.
(D) This chapter does not abridge rights of action or remedies in equity, under common law, or as provided by statute or prevent the state or any municipal corporation or person in the exercise of their rights in equity, under common law, or as provided by statute to suppress nuisances or to abate or prevent pollution.