§ 23-22.5-5. Orders to cease operating - Relief in equity. (a) When the director of environmental management or any of his or her duly authorized agents deems it necessary in the interest of public safety to cause any of the facilities mentioned in § 23-22.5-4 to cease operating, he or she may do so by serving written notice upon the owner or manager of these facilities; provided, that before that notice is given, the owner or manager shall have been given an opportunity to show cause why the business should not cease operating. Written notice to cease operating the business shall remain in effect until the director of environmental management or any of his or her duly authorized agents serves further notice permitting the resumption of operation of that business. The director of environmental management may obtain relief in a court of equity whenever that relief shall be necessary in the proper performance of his or her duty under this chapter.

(b) Notwithstanding any situation referred to in subsection (a), whenever the director or any of his or her duly authorized agents determines that an emergency situation exists which poses an imminent threat to public health or safety, he or she may issue an order mandating the immediate closure of the facility. The owner or manager of the facility shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard within ten (10) days of the order to show cause why the facility should be allowed to reopen.

(c) The director may obtain relief in a court of equity when that relief shall be necessary in the proper performance of his or her duty under this chapter.

History of Section. (P.L. 1939, ch. 660, § 115; P.L. 1954, ch. 3343, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 23-23-5; P.L. 1979, ch. 39, § 1; P.L. 1980, ch. 68, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 86, § 83.)