Maine Revised Statutes Title 38. Waters and Navigation § 1316-C. Liability; recovery by State

Each responsible party is jointly and severally liable for all costs incurred by the State, including court costs and attorney's fees, for the abatement, cleanup or mitigation of the threat or hazard posed by an uncontrolled tire stockpile and for damages for injury to, destruction of, loss of or loss of use of natural resources of the State resulting from the uncontrolled tire stockpile, including the reasonable costs of assessing natural resources damages. The commissioner shall demand prompt reimbursement of all costs incurred under sections 1316-A and 1316-B. If payment is not received by the State within 30 days of demand, the Attorney General may file suit in the Superior Court and may seek reimbursement of other costs and any other relief provided by law. Notwithstanding the time limits stated in this section, neither a demand nor other recovery efforts against one responsible party may relieve any other responsible party of liability.

The commissioner may not demand from responsible parties that are municipalities reimbursement of more than 10% of all costs incurred by the State under sections 1316-A and 1316-B.

In any suit filed under this section, the State need not prove negligence in any form or matter by a defendant. The State need only prove that a defendant is a responsible party and the site poses or posed or potentially poses or posed a threat or hazard to the health, safety or welfare of any citizen of the State or the environment of the State, to which the acts or omissions of the defendant are or were causally related. Punitive damages may be awarded by the court upon a finding that a responsible party acted in willful violation of law, rule or order in creating, increasing or maintaining an uncontrolled tire stockpile.

Funds recovered under this section must be deposited into the Tire Management Fund.