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Administrative Code

Virginia Administrative Code
11/21/2024

Part V. Enforcement

9VAC5-170-120. Enforcement of regulations, permits, and orders.

A. As provided in § 10.1-1186(10) of the Code of Virginia, the director has independent authority to compel compliance with the Virginia Air Pollution Control Law, regulations of the board, permits, certifications, and case decisions. However, whenever the director has reason to believe that a violation of any provision of the regulations of the board or a permit or order has occurred, he may serve notice on the suspected violator, citing the applicable provision of the regulations of the board, permit, or order and the facts on which the suspected violation is based. The director may obtain compliance through one of the enforcement proceedings provided in subdivisions 1 and 2 of this subsection.

1. The director may obtain compliance through administrative means. These means may be a variance, order, special order, control program, consent agreement, or another mechanism that requires compliance by a specific date. The means and the associated date shall be determined on a case-by-case basis and shall not allow an unreasonable delay in compliance.

2. The director may obtain compliance through legal means pursuant to § 10.1-1307.3, § 10.1-1316, or § 10.1-1320 of the Virginia Air Pollution Control Law.

B. Nothing in this section shall prevent the director from making efforts to obtain voluntary compliance through conference, warning or other appropriate means.

C. Orders, consent orders, delayed compliance orders, special orders, and emergency special orders are considered administrative means, and the department reserves the right to use these means in lieu of or to provide a legal basis for the enforcement of administrative means approved by the director under subsection A of this section.

D. Case decisions regarding the enforcement of regulations, orders, and permits shall be made by the director. Case decisions of the director that are made pursuant to a formal hearing may be regarded as a final decision and appealed pursuant to 9VAC5-170-200 D, with the review being on the record and not de novo with opportunity for oral argument. Case decisions of the director that are made pursuant to an informal fact finding may be appealed pursuant to 9VAC5-170-200 A.

Statutory Authority

§ 10.1-1308 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 3, eff. January 1, 1998; amended, Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 5, eff. November 23, 2022.

9VAC5-170-130. Right of entry.

A. Whenever it is necessary for the purposes of the regulations of the board, the department or an agent authorized by the department may at reasonable times enter an establishment or upon property, public or private, for the purpose of obtaining information or conducting surveys or investigation as authorized by § 10.1-1315 or 46.2-1187.1 of the Code of Virginia.

B. Upon the procurement of an inspection warrant signed by a judge of the circuit court whose territorial jurisdiction encompasses the property or premises to be inspected or entered, the department or an agent authorized by the department may enter any property or premises and conduct any inspection, testing, or collection of samples for testing required or authorized by state law or regulation in connection with the manufacturing, emitting, or presence of a toxic substance, as authorized by § 19.2-393 et seq. of the Code of Virginia.

Statutory Authority

§ 10.1-1308 of the Code of Virginia.

Historical Notes

Derived from Virginia Register Volume 14, Issue 3, eff. January 1, 1998; amended, Virginia Register Volume 39, Issue 5, eff. November 23, 2022.

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