N.J. Admin. Code § 7:26A-9.7

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 7:26A-9.7 - Civil administrative penalty for failure to allow lawful entry and inspection

(a) The Department may assess a civil administrative penalty pursuant to this section against any violator who refuses, inhibits or prohibits immediate lawful entry and inspection by any authorized Department representative of any premises, building or facility which the Department may enter and inspect pursuant to the provisions of the Act.

(b) Each day that a violator refuses, inhibits or prohibits immediate lawful entry and inspection by an authorized Department representative of any premises, building or facility which the Department may enter and inspect pursuant to the provisions of the Act, shall be an additional, separate and distinct violation.

(c) The Department shall assess a civil administrative penalty for violations described in this section at the mid-point of the following ranges except as adjusted pursuant to (d) below as follows:

1. For refusing, inhibiting or prohibiting immediate lawful entry and inspection of any premises, building or facility for which an administrative order, permit, license or other operating authority requirement exists under the Act, the civil administrative penalty shall be in an amount of nor more than $ 30,000 nor less than $ 20,000 per violation; and

2. For any other refusal, inhibition, or prohibition of immediate lawful entry and inspection the civil administrative penalty shall be in an amount of not more than $ 6,000 or less than $ 3,000 per violation.

(d) The Department may adjust the amount determined pursuant to (c) above to assess a civil administrative penalty in an amount no greater than the maximum amount nor less than the minimum amount in the range described in (c) above, on the basis of the following factors:

1. The compliance history of the violator;

2. The nature, timing and effectiveness of any measures taken by the violator to mitigate the effects of the violation for which the penalty is being assessed;

i. Immediate implementation of measures to effectively mitigate the effects of the violation will result in a reduction to the bottom of the range;

3. The nature, timing and effectiveness of any measures taken by the violator to prevent future similar violations;

i. Implementation of measures that can reasonably be expected to prevent a recurrence of the same type of violation will result in a reduction equal to the bottom of the range;

4. Any unusual or extraordinary costs or impacts directly or indirectly imposed on the public or the environment as a result of the violation; and/or

5. Other specific circumstances of the violator or the violation.

(e) A violation under this section is non-minor and therefore not subject to a grace period.

N.J. Admin. Code § 7:26A-9.7