49-27-55 - Civil liability of violators; restoration; punitive damages; mandatory injunction; jurisdiction of circuit or county court; remedies preserved.
§ 49-27-55. Civil liability of violators; restoration; punitive damages; mandatory injunction; jurisdiction of circuit or county court; remedies preserved.
(a) Any person who performs or causes to be performed any activity regulated by this chapter for which a permit has not been obtained, violates any provision of this chapter, regulation promulgated pursuant to this chapter or any condition of a permit, shall be liable to the State of Mississippi for the restoration of all affected coastal wetlands to their condition prior to such violation, insofar as such restoration is possible, and for any and all damages to the wetlands. The appropriate chancery court by writ of mandatory injunction shall allow a reasonable time for completion of the restoration and may, in its discretion, order as punitive damages a sum not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per day for each day such violation has existed. The chancery court may further order as punitive damages a sum not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per day for each day that the violation exists beyond the date set by the court in its injunction for the restoration of the wetland. If injunctive relief is not sought, the appropriate circuit or county court shall have jurisdiction over any action for damages and/or punitive damages as set forth in this paragraph.
(b) Nothing in this chapter shall preclude other statutory or common law remedies by public or private parties against violators or nonviolators of this chapter.
Sources: Laws, 1973, ch. 385, § 8(d)(e); Laws, 1989, ch. 420, § 1, eff from and after July 1, 1989.