(a)

(1) Any person who violates or fails to comply with any provision of this part or any rule, regulation, or standard adopted pursuant to this part shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) per day for each day of violation; provided, however, that if the violation involves the disposal of solid waste in a sinkhole, it shall be subject to a civil penalty of not less than seven hundred dollars ($700) nor more than seven thousand dollars ($7,000) per day for each day of violation because of the increased likelihood of harm to the environment and the public.

(2) Each day such violation continues constitutes a separate violation. In addition, such person shall also be liable for any damages to the state resulting therefrom, without regard to whether any civil penalty is assessed.

(b) Any civil penalty or damages shall be assessed in the following manner:

(1) The commissioner may issue an assessment against any person responsible for the violation or damages. Such person shall receive notice of the assessment by certified mail, return receipt requested;

(2) Any person against whom an assessment has been issued may secure a review of the assessment by filing with the commissioner a written petition setting forth the grounds and reasons for such person's objections and asking for a hearing in the matter involved before the board. When such a petition is timely filed, the procedure for conducting the contested case shall be in accordance with § 68-211-113(b);

(3) If a petition for review of the assessment is not filed within thirty (30) days after the date the assessment is served, the violator is deemed to have consented to the assessment and it shall become final;

(4) Whenever any assessment has become final because of a person's failure to appeal either the commissioner's assessment or the board's order, the commissioner may apply to the appropriate court for a judgment and seek execution on such judgment. The court, in such proceedings, shall treat the failure to appeal such assessment as a confession of judgment in the amount of the assessment; and

(5) The commissioner may institute proceedings for assessment in the chancery court of Davidson County or in the chancery court of the county in which all or part of the violation or failure to comply occurred. Such court shall have venue over such actions, notwithstanding § 20-4-101 to the contrary.

(c) In assessing a civil penalty, the following factors may be considered:

(1) The harm done to public health or the environment;

(2) The economic benefit gained by the violators;

(3) The amount of effort put forth by the violator to attain compliance; and

(4) Any unusual or extraordinary enforcement costs incurred by the commissioner.

(d) Damages to the state may include any reasonable expenses incurred in investigating and enforcing violations of this part, and in restoring the air, water, land and other property, including animal, plant and aquatic life, of the state to their former condition.