(a) The Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission or the Director of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality may request the Attorney General or an attorney designated by the director to institute without bond or other undertaking a civil action for relief against a permittee or any person engaging in surface coal mining operations without a permit, including an injunction, restraining order, or any other appropriate order in the county in which any part of the surface coal mining and reclamation operation involved is located, or in the county in which the permittee has his or her principal office. No liability whatsoever shall accrue to the commission, the director, or their authorized representatives on taking any actions pursuant to this section.

(b) The civil action may be instituted whenever the person or his or her agent:

(1) Violates or fails or refuses to comply with any order or decision issued by the director or his or her authorized representative under this chapter or under the regulations issued pursuant to this chapter;

(2) Interferes with, hinders, or delays the director or his or her authorized representatives in carrying out the provisions of this chapter or the regulations issued pursuant to this chapter;

(3) Refuses to permit inspection of the mine by the authorized representative;

(4) Refuses to furnish any information or report requested by the director in furtherance of the provisions of this chapter or the regulations issued pursuant to this chapter; or

(5) Refuses to permit access to, and copying of, records the director determines necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter or the regulations issued pursuant to this chapter.