§ 8005 - Investigations and inspections - Vermont Statutes

§ 8005. Investigations and inspections TITLE 10Conservation and DevelopmentPART VIUniform Environmental Law EnforcementCHAPTER 201. ADMINISTRATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENTSubchapter III. Enforcement

§ 8005. Investigations and inspections

(a) Inspections and investigations.

(1) An investigator may perform routine inspections to determine compliance.

(2) An investigator may investigate upon receipt or discovery of information that an activity is being or has been conducted that may constitute or cause a violation.

(3) An investigator, upon presentation of credentials, may seek permission to inspect or investigate any portion of the property, fixtures, or other appurtenances belonging to or used by a person whose activity is required to be in compliance. The investigator shall state the purpose of the inspection or investigation. An inspection or investigation may include monitoring, sampling, testing, and copying of any records, reports, or other documents relating to the purposes to be served by compliance.

(4) If permission for an inspection or investigation is refused, the investigator may seek an access order from the district or superior court in whose jurisdiction the property is located enabling the investigator to perform the inspection or investigation.

(b) Access orders.

(1) A district or superior court judge shall issue an access order when access has been refused and the investigator, by affidavit, describes the property to be examined and identifies:

(A) a provision of a permit that authorizes the inspection; or

(B) the property as being scheduled for inspection in accordance with a neutral inspection program adopted by the secretary or the land use panel; or

(C) facts providing reasonable grounds to believe that a violation exists and that an examination of the specifically described property will be of material aid in determining the existence of the violation.

(2) Issuance of an access order shall not negate the secretary's authority to initiate criminal proceedings in the same matter by referring the matter to the office of the attorney general or a state's attorney. (Added 1989, No. 98, § 1; amended 2003, No. 115 (Adj. Sess.), § 70, eff. Jan. 31, 2005.)