Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 29 - PUBLIC LANDS, BUILDINGS AND PROPERTY (§§ 29-1-1 — 29-18-19) › Chapter 7 - MINERAL LEASES OF STATE LANDS (§§ 29-7-1 — 29-7-21) › Section 29-7-17 - Civil and criminal penalties to enforce Section 29-7-3

(1)
Any person found by the commission to be violating any of the provisions of Section
29-7-3
, or any rule or regulation or written order of the commission in pursuance thereof, or any condition or limitation of a permit shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) for each violation, such penalty to be assessed and levied by the commission after a hearing as hereinafter provided. Each day upon which a violation occurs shall be deemed a separate and additional violation. Appeals from the imposition of a civil penalty may be taken to the appropriate chancery court in the same manner as appeals from the orders of the commission. If the appellant desires to stay the execution of a civil penalty assessed by the commission, he shall give bond with sufficient resident sureties of one or more guaranty or surety companies authorized to do business in this state, payable to the State of Mississippi, in an amount equal to double the amount of any civil penalty assessed by the commission, as to which the stay of execution is desired, on the condition that if the judgment shall be affirmed the appellant shall pay all costs of the assessment entered against him.
(2)
In lieu of, or in addition to, the penalty provided in subsection (1) of this section, the commission shall have power to institute and maintain in the name of the state any and all proceedings necessary or appropriate to enforce the provisions of Section
29-7-3
, rules and regulations promulgated, and orders and permits made and issued thereunder, in the appropriate circuit, chancery, county or justice court of the county in which venue may lie. The commission may obtain mandatory or prohibitory injunctive relief, either temporary or permanent, and it shall not be necessary in such cases that the state plead or prove:
(i)
that irreparable damage would result if the injunction did not issue;
(ii)
that there is no adequate remedy at law; or
(iii)
that a written complaint or commission order has first been issued for the alleged violation.
(3)
Any person who violates any of the provisions of, or fails to perform any duty imposed by, Section
29-7-3
or any rule or regulation issued hereunder, or who violates any order or determination of the commission promulgated pursuant to such section, and causes the death of fish, shellfish, or other wildlife shall be liable, in addition to the penalties provided in subsections (1), (2), (4) and (5) of this section, to pay to the state an additional amount equal to the sum of money reasonably necessary to restock such waters or replenish such wildlife as determined by the commission after consultation with the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. Such amount may be recovered by the commission on behalf of the state in a civil action brought in the appropriate county or circuit court of the county in which venue may lie.
(4)
Any person who, through misadventure, happenstance or otherwise causes damage to or destruction of state-owned lands or structures or other property thereon necessitating remedial or cleanup action shall be liable for the cost of such remedial or cleanup action and the commission may recover the cost of same by a civil action brought in the circuit court of the county in which venue may lie. This penalty may be recovered in lieu of or in addition to the penalties provided in subsections (1), (2), (3) and (5) of this section.
(5)
It shall be unlawful for any person to conduct unauthorized mineral exploration, development, or extraction activity or to violate the provisions of Section
29-7-3
or the rules and regulations of the commission which relate to mineral exploration, development, or extraction activity and, upon conviction thereof, such person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and fined not less than Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) nor more than Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) for each offense. Each day on which such violation occurs or continues shall constitute a separate offense.
(6)
In lieu of or in addition to the penalties prescribed hereinabove, any person convicted by a court of law or found guilty by the commission of unlawful mineral extraction activity on state-owned lands shall repay to the state the fair market value of the minerals unlawfully extracted.
(7)
Proceedings before the commission on civil violations prescribed hereinabove shall be conducted in the manner set forth in this chapter.
Laws, 1982, ch. 455, § 2; Laws, 2000, ch. 516, § 8; Laws, 2004, ch. 482, § 3, eff. 7/1/2004.