Maryland Code § NR-3-109

Section NR-3-109
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(a) (1) Upon failure of a municipality to comply with an order of the
Secretary of the Environment to provide a sewerage system or refuse disposal works
as provided for in Title 9 of the Environment Article, the Secretary of the
Environment shall direct the Service to install or put into operation sewerage or
refuse disposal facilities to satisfy the requirements of the order.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, upon receipt
of the directive from the Secretary of the Environment, the Service shall proceed to
install and put into operation sewerage or refuse disposal projects to comply with the
directive. Every cost the Service incurs to construct and operate the projects shall be
charged to the municipality against which the order is issued.
(3) Funds to pay the Service for construction and operation of
projects may be raised under Title 9 of the Environment Article.

(4) Upon terms satisfactory to the Service and the municipality, the
Service may enter into an agreement with the municipality to continue to operate the
sewerage system or refuse disposal works installed by the Service under the
provisions of this subsection. In this event, the municipality shall enter into a
contract with the Service for the establishment of a service district as provided in §
3-107(e) of this subtitle.
(b) (1) Upon failure of a person to comply with an order of the Secretary
of the Environment to abate pollution as provided for in Title 9 of the Environment
Article, the Secretary of the Environment shall direct the Service to provide projects
necessary to abate the pollution.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, upon receipt
of the directive from the Secretary of the Environment, the Service shall provide the
projects necessary to abate the pollution and the person shall discharge or deliver his
wastes only to a service project or avail himself of the projects provided by the Service
to abate the pollution. The cost of projects provided by the Service to abate pollution
under the terms of this subsection shall be borne by the person against whom the
order to the Secretary of the Environment was issued. The person and the Service
shall determine by agreement the costs, rental, charges, or other fees to be paid by
the person to the Service. If the fees and charges remain unpaid for a period of 60
days, the unpaid bills become a lien against the property served, if it is recorded and
indexed as provided in this subtitle, and shall be referred to the Attorney General for
collection.
(3) All projects provided by the Service under this subsection remain
under the control and operation of the Service. It is unlawful for a person provided
with projects by the Service under this subsection to duplicate or use any other project
serving the same purpose.
(c) (1) Upon the failure of a municipality or person to comply with an
order of the Secretary of the Environment to correct deficiencies on the operation of
sewerage systems or refuse disposal works as provided in Title 9 of the Environment
Article, the Secretary of the Environment shall direct the Service to take charge of
and operate the systems or works to secure the results demanded by the Secretary of
the Environment.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, upon the
receipt of the directive from the Secretary of the Environment, the Service
immediately shall take charge of and operate the systems or works to secure the
results set forth in the directive of the Secretary of the Environment. All costs for
maintenance, operation, and other services including legal fees incidental to taking
possession of the sewerage system or refuse disposal works shall be charged to the

municipality or person against which or whom the original order of the Secretary of
the Environment was served.
(3) (i) Funds to pay the Service for services rendered under this
subsection shall be raised in the case of a municipality under Title 9 of the
Environment Article.
(ii) If the order is issued against a person, the Service shall bill
the person for the full cost of services rendered.
(iii) If payment is not made within 60 days, the costs become a
lien against the sewerage system or refuse disposal works if it is recorded and indexed
as provided in this subtitle, and the Executive Director shall refer the matter to the
Attorney General for collection.
(d) (1) Upon failure of a municipality or person to comply with an order
of the Secretary of the Environment to extend or alter a sewerage system or refuse
disposal works as provided in Title 9 of the Environment Article, the Secretary of the
Environment shall direct the Service to make alterations or extensions to the systems
or works, or install a new system or works as the Secretary of the Environment deems
necessary to correct the improper conditions.
(2) Except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, upon receipt
of the directive from the Secretary of the Environment, the Service shall assume
jurisdiction over the systems or works and make the alterations, extensions, or new
construction required to comply with the directive of the Secretary of the
Environment. All costs, including legal fees incidental to assuming jurisdiction over
the system or works, shall be charged to the municipality or person against which or
whom the order of the Secretary of the Environment was issued.
(3) Funds to pay the Service for costs incurred as a result of actions
taken under this subsection may be raised as provided in Title 9 of the Environment
Article. If the order was against a person, the Service shall charge the person with
the cost of making the necessary improvements to comply with the directive of the
Secretary of the Environment. If the person fails to pay within 60 days, the cost
becomes a lien against the property served if it is recorded and indexed as provided
in this subtitle, and the matter shall be referred to the Attorney General for collection.
(e) (1) In the event the Service determines, at any time, that it will be
unable to recoup all or a portion of its costs from the municipality or persons subject
to the order of the Secretary of the Environment, the Service shall provide to the
Secretary a full accounting of all costs incurred or anticipated to be incurred by it in
complying with the Secretary's directive.

(2) Within 30 days of receipt of the accounting, the Secretary may
request that the Service provide additional information.
(3) Within 90 days of receipt of the accounting or, when applicable,
the additional information, the State shall pay to the Service the full amount of the
Service's costs that are not paid or reasonably expected to be paid by the municipality
or persons.
(4) (i) The State's payment of any amount to the Service does not
preclude the State from seeking or obtaining reimbursement from the municipality
or persons subject to the order of the Secretary.
(ii) The Service shall cooperate fully with the Secretary in
seeking reimbursement from the municipality or persons.

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