Montana Title 75. Environmental Protection § 75-10-540. Administrative enforcement

(1) When the department determines that a violation of this part, a violation of a rule adopted or an order issued under this part, or a violation of a license provision has occurred, it may serve written notice of the violation on the alleged violator or the violator's agent. The notice must specify the law, rule, or license provision alleged to be violated and the facts alleged to constitute a violation and may include an order to take necessary corrective action within a reasonable period of time, an order assessing an administrative penalty pursuant to 75-10-542, or both. The order becomes final 30 days after the notice is served unless the person named requests, in writing, a hearing before the board. On receipt of the request for a hearing, the board shall schedule a hearing. Service by mail is complete on the date of mailing.

(2) If, after a hearing held under subsection (1), the board finds that a violation has occurred, it shall either affirm or change the department's order. An order may prescribe the date by which the violation must cease and may prescribe time limits for particular action. If, after a hearing, the board finds that a violation has not occurred, it shall rescind the department's order.

(3) The department shall make efforts to obtain voluntary compliance through warning, conference, or any other appropriate means before issuing an order pursuant to subsection (1).

(4) The contested case provisions of the Montana Administrative Procedure Act, Title 2, chapter 4, part 6, apply to a hearing held under this section.