Section 12-5-385. Criminal and civil penalties

   (a) Any person who engages in any action made unlawful by this part shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. Each day of continued violation after conviction shall constitute a separate offense.

(b) As an alternative to criminal enforcement pursuant to subsection (a) of this Code section, the director may impose civil penalties in accordance with the following provisions:

   (1) Any person violating any provision of this part or any permit condition or limitation established pursuant to this part or negligently or willfully failing or refusing to comply with any final order of the director issued as provided in this part shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $1,000.00 for such violation and an additional civil penalty not to exceed $500.00 for each day during which the violation continues;

   (2) Whenever the director has reason to believe that any person has violated any provision of this part or any permit condition or limitation established pursuant to this part or has negligently or willfully failed or refused to comply with any final order of the director, he may, upon written request, cause a hearing to be conducted before a hearing officer appointed by the board. Upon a finding that such person has violated any provision of this part or any permit condition or limitation established pursuant to this part or has negligently or willfully failed or refused to comply with a final order of the director, the hearing officer shall issue his initial decision imposing such civil penalties as are provided in paragraph (1) of this subsection. Such hearing and any administrative or judicial review thereof shall be conducted in accordance with subsection (c) of Code Section 12-2-2.

Ga. L. 1978, p. 795, § 14.