Investigative powers

Upon receipt of a written complaint from any surface owner or lessee, royalty owner, mineral owner, local, state, or federal official, alleging a violation of the subsurface mineral conservation statutes or any rule, regulation, or order of the commission, the director shall within reasonable time reply in writing to the person who submitted the complaint stating that an investigation of such complaint will be made or the reason such investigation will not be made. The person who submitted the complaint may appeal the decision of the director to the commission. The director may also conduct such investigations on the director's own initiative or at the direction of the commission. If, after such investigation, the director affirms that cause for complaint exists, the director shall report the results of the investigation to the person who submitted the complaint, if any, to the person who was the subject of the complaint and to the commission. The commission shall institute such legal proceedings as, in its discretion, it believes necessary to enjoin further violations.