reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 666 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 16 - Underground Storage Tanks|§ 666. Tank integrity tests

 The Commissioner may order the owner or operator of an UST system to perform a tank integrity test if: (a) there is reason to suspect that there is or has been a release of a regulated substance into the environment; (b) the age, operation, maintenance records, location or circumstance related to installation, or any other relevant factor so warrant the taking of this precaution to protect human health and the environment; or (c) the tank integrity test is required by any provision of this chapter, or rule or regulation promulgated thereunder.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 667 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 16 - Underground Storage Tanks|§ 667. Release detection

 The Department shall require owners and operators of UST systems to provide an acceptable method, or a combination of methods of release detection for tanks and connected piping in a manner consistent with the protection of human health and the environment, but in no event shall it be less stringent than the corresponding federal requirements.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 668 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 16 - Underground Storage Tanks|§ 668. Reporting, investigation and assessing releases, spill and overfills

 (a) The owner or operator of an UST systems shall report any release, suspected release, spill or overfill of any regulated substance to the Department within 24 hours of discovery thereof, or within a period specified by the Department or by regulation. Such reporting shall be provided in addition to any other reporting requirement prescribed by territorial or federal law. (b) The owner or operator of an UST system shall investigate any suspected release, spill or overfill, and if confirmed perform abatement measures as required by the Department or by regulation.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 671 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 16 - Underground Storage Tanks|§ 671. Cost recovery by the government

 In the event of any discharge or threatened discharge of a regulated substance, the government of the Virgin Islands or any of its agencies or instrumentalities, may recover in a civil action from any owner, operator, or other responsible person all costs incurred in the prevention, assessment, abatement, or cleanup and removal of any release or threatened release of a regulated substance, including reasonable attorney fees and any other necessary costs of response incurred by the territory or any of its departments, divisions or agencies. The territory shall have a lien on the real property on which the UST system that caused the discharge is located, even if owned by a person other than the owner or operator, if the owner or operator is in privity with the real property owner.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 672 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 16 - Underground Storage Tanks|§ 672. Environmental Assurance Fee

 An Environmental Assurance Fee shall be established in such an amount, as may be determined by the Commissioner as sufficient to assure the funding of emergency, preventive, or corrective action necessary when human health or the environment is, or potentially may be, threatened by a release of regulated substances from a petroleum UST system, at a rate not to exceed two cents per gallon of motor fuel, sold or exchanged by a terminal operator, distributor or dealer. (a) The fee shall be collected and deposited into the Virgin Islands Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund. (b) The owner or operator of any petroleum UST shall maintain proof that he has paid the environmental assurance fee imposed under this section.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 673 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 16 - Underground Storage Tanks|§ 673. Record-keeping; furnishing information

 All owners and operators of UST systems shall maintain records and information relating to tanks, their associated equipment, their contents, repairs, tank system testing, monitoring, analysis, and release detection, including inventory controls, for the operating life of the UST system. All required records and information, including records regarding tank closure, shall be kept at the UST site or at a readily available alternative site and made immediately available for inspection and copying by an authorized employee of the Department.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 674 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 16 - Underground Storage Tanks|§ 674. Inspection; right of entry

 (a) The Commissioner, an authorized employee of the Department, or an authorized contractor or agent of the Department, upon presentation of his credentials, shall have the right to enter upon or through premises of persons subject to this chapter, under the following circumstances: (1) A violation of this chapter, or rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto is reasonably believed to be occurring or is reasonably believed to be about to occur, to investigate, take samples of, and copy all records relating to the storage of regulated substances in underground storage tanks, and to inspect for compliance with the requirements imposed under this chapter, or rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, or to determine whether such a violation or threatened violation exists; or (2) A release of a regulated substance in violation of this chapter, or rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto is reasonably believed to be occurring or is reasonably believed to have previously occurred, and it is necessary to investigate, take samples, copy all records relating to storage of regulated substances in underground storage tanks, and inspect for compliance with the requirements imposed under this chapter, or the rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto in order to determine whether such a current release is occurring or past release has occurred and to conduct appropriate corrective action for any release which may currently exist or may have existed. (3) The Department is conducting systematic inspections of all facilities subject to the requirements of this chapter, or rules and regulations promulgated pursuant thereto in a manner designed to determine compliance or non-compliance, to verify the accuracy of information submitted by owners or operators of regulated UST systems, and to verify adequacy of methods utilized by owners or operators in developing that information. (b) If a person does not consent to an inspection or investigation, the Commissioner, or an authorized employee of the Department, shall have the authority through the Attorney General of the Virgin Islands to seek and shall be entitled to the issuance of a warrant from any court of competent jurisdiction authorizing an inspection or search of the premises based upon a prima facie showing of one or more of the foregoing factors, events, or occasions. (c) Any real property owner or person in possession of property adjoining a leaking underground storage tank site who refuses to allow either the owner or operator of an UST system, or the authorized employees, agents or contractors of the Department, access for purposes of providing corrective action for any contamination that may have migrated onto his real property from the leaking underground storage tank site shall be responsible for the remediation and cleanup of contamination of his property, as well as any contamination that may migrate or have migrated off his property onto the real property of another.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 675 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 16 - Underground Storage Tanks|§ 675. Prohibited acts

 (a) It is unlawful for any person to engage in the storage of regulated substances in underground tanks except in such a manner so as to conform to and comply with any provisions of this chapter, or any of the rules, regulations, and orders promulgated or established pursuant thereto. (b) It is a violation of this chapter to: (1) Cause or permit the release of a regulated substance from an underground storage tank into the environment; or (2) Install an underground storage tank that does not meet the minimum standards in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, or rule and regulations promulgated thereunder.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 676 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 16 - Underground Storage Tanks|§ 676. Emergency orders

 Upon receiving information that the operation, maintenance, or condition of an underground storage tank or the surrounding area may present a threat or a hazard to the health of persons or to the environment, or may present an actual or threatened violation of any provision of this chapter, or rule or regulation promulgated thereunder, the Commissioner may issue to the owner or operator an emergency order establishing reasonable and proper methods for the control of the activity, tank closure, removal of contaminated materials, and the management of substances in the tank or the surrounding area in order to reduce or eliminate the hazard or the violation. Such order shall become effective upon issuance. Any person to whom such order is directed shall comply therewith immediately but on application to the Commissioner shall be afforded a hearing within 48 hours. On the basis of such hearing, the Commissioner may continue such an order in effect, revoke it, or modify it.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 677 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 16 - Underground Storage Tanks|§ 677. Administrative proceedings

 (a) Whenever the Commissioner has reason to believe that a violation of any provision of this chapter, or of any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder, or of any order issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter has occurred, the Commissioner may cause written notice to be served upon the alleged violator or violators. The notice shall specify the provision of this chapter, rule or regulation, or order alleged to be violated, the facts alleged to constitute a violation thereof, and may include any order for necessary corrective action and any penalty assessed pursuant to section 680 of this chapter. An order for corrective action is effective upon issuance. Any person named therein may request in writing, within 15 days after receipt of the notice or order, a hearing before the Commissioner. The request does not act as a stay of the Commissioner's order unless so ordered and directed by the Commissioner or by a Court of competent jurisdiction. (b) The Commissioner shall afford an opportunity for a hearing to the alleged violator at a time and place designated by the Commissioner. On the basis of the evidence produced at the hearing, the Commissioner, shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law and enter such order as in his opinion will best further the purposes of this chapter. The Commissioner, before entering his order on the basis of the record and recommendations, shall provide an opportunity to the parties to submit for consideration exceptions to the recommended findings of facts and conclusions of law and supporting reasons for such exceptions. The parties shall submit written exceptions within 10 days after the hearing. Written notice of such order shall become final and binding on all parties unless appealed to the appropriate court as provided for in section 676 of the chapter. (c) Any person who has had a certificate, license, or registration denied, modified, suspended, or revoked shall be afforded an opportunity for a hearing pursuant to the provisions of this section upon written application to the Commissioner within 30 days after receipt of notice from the Commissioner of such denial, modification, suspension or revocation. (d) The Commissioner may provide an expedited hearing to an aggrieved party, if specifically requested by the alleged violator and if circumstances so warrant. (e) The Commissioner may prescribe rules and regulations as are necessary for the lawful and orderly transaction of proceedings and hearings pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. (f) The Commissioner may order testimony to be taken by deposition in any proceedings pending before him. Any person may be compelled to appear, testify and produce papers or documents in the same manner and consistent with same rules as witnesses may be compelled to appear, testify, and produce documentary evidence before the Superior Court.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 678 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 16 - Underground Storage Tanks|§ 678. Review

 Any person aggrieved by any action, decision, or order of the Commissioner may obtain a review thereof by filing a written petition in the appropriate division of the Superior Court within 30 days after the date of the action, decision or order, and the petition shall include such information as required by the applicable rules of the Superior Court.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 679 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 16 - Underground Storage Tanks|§ 679. Enforcement

 In addition to any other any other provisions or procedures set forth in this chapter, if the Commissioner finds that a person is in violation of this chapter, or has failed to comply with any provisions of any order, standard, rule or regulation promulgated or issued in accordance with this chapter, he may file suit, through the Office of the Attorney General, in the Superior Court, in the district where the noncompliance has occurred, to enjoin the act, obtain compliance or impose a penalty. The Court may issue injunctive relief or such other relief as may be appropriate and may exercise all plenary powers available to it, including but not limited to: (1) enjoining the threat of or any further releases; (2) ordering design, construction, installation, or operation of alternate facilities; (3) ordering the removal of facilities, equipment, contaminated water and soils, and the restoration of the environment; (4) assessing and ordering compensation for any public or private property destroyed, damaged or injured; (5) assessing and order damages for injury to, destruction of, or loss of natural resources, including the reasonable costs of assessing such injury, destruction, or loss resulting from such a release; (6) assessing and awarding punitive damages; and (7) ordering reimbursement to any agency or department of the federal or territorial government from any person whose acts caused governmental expenditures pursuant to this chapter.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 680 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 16 - Underground Storage Tanks|§ 680. Penalties

 (a) Civil Penalties  (1) Any person who violates any provision of this chapter, or of any rule, regulation, standard promulgated or order issued or under this chapter, shall be subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $25,000 for each day of violation for each UST system in violation. (2) Civil penalties provided under this section may be assessed administratively by the Commissioner against any person who violates any provision of this chapter, or any rule, regulation, standard or order issued or promulgated thereunder. (b) Criminal Penalties  (1) Any person who knowingly or intentionally violates any provision of this chapter, or any rule, regulation, standard or order issued or promulgated thereunder, shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not less than $2,500 but not more than $25,000 per day of violation, or imprisoned not more than one year, or both fine and imprisonment. (2) Any person who knowingly or intentionally makes any false statement, representation or certification in any application, record, report, plan or other documents filed or required to be maintained under this chapter, or who falsifies, tampers with or knowingly renders inaccurate any monitoring device or method required to be maintained under this chapter or by any rule, regulation, or order issued or promulgated thereunder, shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not more than $25,000, or imprisoned not more than one year, or both fine and imprisonment. (c) Each violation is a separate and distinct offense and in the case of a continuing violation, continuance of each day thereof may be considered a separate and distinct offense.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 681 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 16 - Underground Storage Tanks|§ 681. Public participation

 (a) Upon timely application any person whose interests may be adversely affected by a release or threatened from a UST system shall be allowed to intervene as of right in any civil action when the applicant claims an interest relating to the property or transaction which is the subject of the action, and the applicant is so situated that the disposition of the action may as a practical matter impair or impede the applicant's ability to protect that interest. The Department of Planning and Natural Resources or any other department or agency of the Government of the Virgin Islands may not oppose any such intervention on the ground that the applicant's interest is adequately represented by the Government. (b) Any person may maintain an action for declaratory and equitable relief to restrain any violation of this chapter. On a prima facie showing of a violation of this chapter, a preliminary injunction shall be issued to restrain any further violation of the chapter. No bond is required for an action under this subsection. (c) Any person may maintain an action to compel the performance of duties specifically imposed on the Commissioner or on the Department under this chapter; except, no such action may be initiated prior to 30 days after written notice has been given to the Commissioner by complaint specifying the duties that the complainant alleges have not been performed. No bond is required for an action under this subsection. (d) The Department shall provide notice and opportunity for public comment on all proposed settlements of civil enforcement actions, except when immediate action is necessary to protect human health and the environment adequately. (e) The Department shall investigate and provide prompt responses to citizen complaints about violations.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 682 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 16 - Underground Storage Tanks|§ 682. Confidentiality

 (a) Any records, reports, or information obtained from any persons shall be available to the public, except that upon a showing satisfactory to the Commissioner by any person that records, reports, or information, or a particular part thereof, to which the Commissioner or any officer, employee, or representative thereof has access, if made public would divulge information entitled to protection under Title 3, Section 881 of this Code, such information or particular portion thereof shall be considered confidential in accordance with the purposes of that section, except that such record, report, document, or information may be disclosed to other officers, employees or authorized representatives of the territory concerned with carrying out the provisions of this chapter, or when relevant in any proceeding under this chapter. (b) Any person who knowingly and willfully divulges or discloses any information entitled to protection under this subsection shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not more than $5,000, or to imprisonment not to exceed one year, or both. (c) In submitting data under this subchapter, a person required to provide such data may: (1) designate the data which such person believes is entitled to protection; and (2) submit such designated data separately from other data submitted under this chapter.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 683 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 16 - Underground Storage Tanks|§ 683. Field citation authorization

 The Commissioner, by regulation, may establish a field citation program for the issuance of citations by any authorized employee of the Department to any owner or operator of an UST system who violates any provisions of this Chapter, or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 684 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 16 - Underground Storage Tanks|§ 684. Virgin Islands Underground Storage Tank Revolving Trust Impress Account

 (a) There is established the Virgin Islands Underground Storage Tank Revolving Impress Account (hereinafter the “Account”). The Commissioner shall be the responsible for the account. (b) The account shall consist of all underground storage tank registration fees collected pursuant to section 655 of this chapter, all initial certification service fees, re-certification fees and late filing fees collected pursuant to section 663 of this chapter, all environmental assurance fees collected pursuant to section 672 of this chapter, all fund disbursements that have been recovered pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, all funds available for use through the Federal Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund or any other funding available through federal law or from any other funding source. (c) Disbursements from the account shall be made from the Account by the Commissioner only for the following purposes: (1) In the event of a release or threat of release of a regulated substance from a petroleum UST system, to take emergency action necessary to assure that the public health or safety is not threatened; (2) Where the owner or operator has not been identified or is unable or unwilling to perform corrective action, to take preventative or corrective action where the release of a regulated substance presents and actual or potential threat to human health or the environment; (3) To provide compensation for the property damage of third parties affected by items (1) and (2) of this subsection. However; (A) A property owner shall not be considered a third party if the property was transferred by the owner or operator of a UST system in anticipation of damage due to a release; (B) Third party liability property damage shall be reimbursed based on the rental costs of comparable property during the period of loss of use up to a maximum amount as established by regulation of the Department; (C) In the case of property that has been destroyed as a result of a regulated substance, reimbursement shall be an amount necessary to replace, restore or repair the destroyed property, whichever is less; (D) Loss of business or damages as a result thereof is not recoverable under the provisions of this section; (E) Compensation under the provisions of this item shall not include any claim for attorney's fees, punitive damages, or damages for mental anguish; (4) To pay all necessary costs for the administration of the account; (5) To reimburse eligible owners or operators who have completed and provided corrective action as provided under the provisions of this chapter; and (6) To provide payments to contractors hired by the Department to provide corrective action for regulated substances from UST systems. (d) The Commissioner shall provide to the Governor and the Legislature an accounting of all of the deposits and disbursements from the account, on an annual bases.
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 691 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 16A - Underground Facility Damage Prevention and Safety|§ 691. Short title

 This chapter may be cited as “The Underground Facility Damage Prevention and Safety Act.”
V.I. Code tit. 12, § 691a (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 12 - Conservation|Chapter 16A - Underground Facility Damage Prevention and Safety|§ 691a. Legislative intent

 The Legislature declares it to be the policy of the Government of the Virgin Islands and the purpose of this chapter to aid the public by preventing injury to persons and property and preventing the interruption of services resulting from damage to an Underground Facility caused by excavation or demolition operations and to provide minimum recommended guidelines for one-call legislation.