North Dakota Century Code Title 61. Waters § 61-03-23. Penalties--Civil

In addition to criminal sanctions that may be imposed pursuant to law, a person who violates any provision of this title or any rules adopted under this title may be assessed a civil penalty not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars for each day the violation occurred and continues to occur and may be required by the state engineer to forfeit any right to the use of water.  The civil penalty for violation of an irrigation appropriation permit may not exceed five thousand dollars for each day the violation occurred and continues to occur.  The civil penalty or forfeiture of a right to use water may be adjudicated by the courts or by the state engineer through an administrative hearing under chapter 28-32.

If a civil penalty levied by the state engineer after an administrative hearing is not paid within thirty days after a final determination that the civil penalty is owed, the civil penalty may be assessed against the property of the landowner responsible for the violation leading to the assessment of the penalty.  The assessment must be collected as other assessments made under this title are collected.  Notwithstanding the provisions of section 57-20-22, all interest and penalties due on the assessment must be paid to the state.  Any civil penalty assessed under this section must be in addition to any costs incurred by the state engineer for enforcement of the order.