§22-18-18. Imminent and substantial hazards; orders; penalties; hearings.

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this article to the contrary, the director, upon receipt of information, or upon observation or discovery that the handling, storage, transportation, treatment or disposal of any hazardous waste may present an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health, safety or the environment, may:

(1) Request the Attorney General or the appropriate prosecuting attorney to commence an action in the circuit court of the county in which the hazardous condition exists to immediately restrain any person contributing to such handling, storage, transportation, treatment or disposal to stop such handling, storage, transportation, treatment or disposal or to take such other action as may be necessary; or

(2) Take other action under this section including, but not limited to, issuing such orders as may be necessary to protect public health and the environment.

(b) Any person who willfully violates, or fails or refuses to comply with, any order of the director under subsection (a) of this section may, in an action brought in the appropriate circuit court to enforce such orders, be fined not more than $5,000 for each day in which such violation occurs or such failure to comply continues.