Sec. 46.08.140. - Emergency powers.

(a) When the office has reasonable grounds to believe that a release of oil or a hazardous substance has occurred or is threatened to occur which, in the judgment of its director, presents an imminent or present danger to the health or welfare of the people of the state or would result in or is likely to result in irreversible or irreparable damage to the natural resources or environment, and it appears to be prejudicial to the interest of the people of the state to delay action until an opportunity for a hearing can be provided, state employees or members of the corps may, with permission of the director and without prior hearing, enter private property for the purpose of containment or cleanup.

(b) The property owner affected by a response action taken under (a) of this section has the right to be heard as soon as practicable and to present proof to the office that the containment or cleanup action is unnecessary or that it is not necessary to enter the person's property for the containment or cleanup action.