West Virginia Code Chapter 22. Environmental Resources § 22-5-5. Issuance of cease and desist orders by director; service; permit suspension, modification and revocation; appeals to board

If, from any investigation made by the director or from any complaint filed with him or her, the director is of the opinion that a person is violating the provisions of this article, or any rules promulgated pursuant thereto, he or she shall make and enter an order directing the person to cease and desist the activity, unless the director determines the violation is of a minor nature or the violation has been abated. The director shall fix a reasonable time in such order by which the activity must stop or be prevented. The order shall contain the findings of fact upon which the director determined to make and enter the order.

If, after any investigation made by the director, or from any complaint filed with him or her, the director is of the opinion that a permit holder is violating the provisions of this article, or any rules promulgated pursuant thereto, or any order of the director, or any provision of a permit, the director may issue notice of intent to suspend, modify or revoke and reissue such permit. Upon notice of the director's intent to suspend, modify or revoke a permit, the permit holder may request a conference with the director to show cause why the permit should not be suspended, modified or revoked. The request for conference must be received by the director within fifteen days following receipt of notice. After conference or fifteen days after issuance of notice of intent, if no conference is requested, the director may enter an order suspending, modifying or revoking the permit and send notice to the permit holder. Such order is a cease and desist order for purposes of administrative and judicial review and shall contain findings of fact upon which the director determined to make and enter the order. If an appeal of the director's order is filed, the order of the director shall be stayed from the date of issuance pending a final decision of the board.

The director shall cause a copy of any such order to be served upon the person by registered or certified mail or by any proper law-enforcement officer.

Any person upon whom a copy of the final order has been served may appeal such order to the air quality board pursuant to the provisions of article one, chapter twenty-two-b of this code.