Agricultural Preservation Restriction Parcel Violations

The Department or its authorized agents and any entities co-holding the APR may enter the APR Parcel, including buildings and Structures, with prior notice, to ascertain compliance with the APR. The Department shall work with the Owner for a resolution of any identified violations or potential violations of the APR, any statute, regulation, policy, COA, or Special Permit. (1) Determination of Violation. If the Department has reason to believe a violation has occurred, it shall determine the extent of any violation. The Department may make contact with the Owner to discuss the Department's determination. (2) Response. If the Department finds that a violation has occurred, written notice stating the particulars of the violation shall be given to the Owner. (a) The Owner shall provide a written response including any relevant pictures or information within the time period set forth by the Department in the written notice of violation. (b) Upon receiving a response from the Owner, the Department shall outline a proposed plan, or require the Owner to propose a plan to correct the violation. The creation of a plan may require assistance from a Partner Agency or other entity with technical expertise. Upon the creation of a plan approved by the Department, the Owner shall implement the plan within the timeframe approved by the Department and shall give progress reports as directed by the Department. (c) A site inspection to confirm the satisfactory completion of the plan will be completed by Department staff. (d) If the violation is corrected to the satisfaction of the Department, a written acknowledgement will be issued by the Department within 30 days to the Owner. (3) Violation Resolution. If the Department and the Owner cannot reach a satisfactory resolution to the violation or the Owner fails to complete the agreed upon plan, the Department shall pursue resolution through all available legal means. If a court determines that the APR has been violated, the Department may seek reimbursement for any reasonable costs of enforcement, including court costs, reasonable attorney's fees, and other payments ordered by such court. (4) Joint and Several Liability The Owner and its successors in title, shall be jointly and severally liable for any violation of the terms of the APR, Certificate of Approval, Special Permit, or M.G.L. c. 184, §§ 31 through 33; M.G.L. c. 20, §§ 23 through 26, and rules, regulations and policies thereunder. (5) Partner Agency Right of Enforcement. A Partner Agency may have a right of enforcement as described in the applicable APR Specifically, the United States has a right of enforcement for those APRs held with the United States Department of Agriculture in order to protect the public investment. The Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (Secretary), or his or her assigns, on behalf of the United States, may exercise those rights under any authority available under State or Federal law if the Department, or its successors or assigns, fails to enforce any of the terms of the APR, as determined in the discretion of the Secretary. As set forth in the APRs held with the United States, the United States is entitled to recover any and all administrative and legal costs from the Department and/or the Owner, including attorney's fees or expenses, associated with any enforcement or remedial action related to the enforcement of the APR.