Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 45, November 9, 2024
Section 78a.312 - Forfeiture determination(a) A collateral or surety bond may be forfeited when the Department determines that the operator fails or refuses to comply with the act, this title, an order of the Department, or the terms or conditions of the permit relating to drilling, water supply replacement, plugging and site restoration.(b) If forfeiture of the bond is required, the Department will:(1) Send written notification by mail to the permittee, and the surety, if any, of the Department's intent to forfeit the bond and describe the grounds for forfeiture. The notification will also provide an opportunity to take remedial action or submit a schedule for taking remedial actions acceptable to the Department within 30 days of the notice of intent to forfeit, in lieu of collecting the bond.(2) If the permittee and surety, if any, fail either to take remedial action or to submit a plan acceptable to the Department within 30 days of the notice of the intent to forfeit, the bond will be subject to forfeiture and collection up to the face amount thereof. The Department will issue a declaration to forfeit the bond.(3) The declaration to forfeit is an action which may be appealable to the Environmental Hearing Board under section 4 of the Environmental Hearing Board Act (35 P.S. § 7514).