(1) Pursuant to 77-1-804(8) , MCA, the department may assess against a recreationist, lessee, or other person a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for each day of violation of ARM 36.25.146, ARM 36.25.149, ARM 36.25.150, ARM 36.25.152, ARM 36.25.153, or ARM 36.25.163. The department may waive the civil penalty for minor or technical violations and shall waive the civil penalty if a criminal penalty has been assessed for the violation.

(2) In determining the amount of civil penalty, the department shall consider the following factors:

(a) number of previous violations;

(b) severity of the infraction; and

(c) whether the violation was intentional or unintentional.

(3) A person against whom the department proposes to assess a civil penalty is entitled to a contested case hearing in accordance with the Montana Administrative Procedure Act, Title 2, chapter 4, part 6, MCA, on the questions of whether a violation was committed and the amount of the penalty. The hearing must be conducted by a hearing officer appointed by the director. The department shall notify the individual of the violation, setting forth in the notice the specific facts which the department alleges to constitute the violation. The notice shall be served by certified mail or in person by a department employee, sheriff or deputy, fish and game warden, or registered process server. The notice must give the person at least 15 days to respond to the violation notice. Upon receipt of the response or expiration of the period allotted for response, the department shall either withdraw the notice of violation or provide its rationale for pursuing the violation and a proposed penalty. Service of the response and proposed penalty must be made in the same manner as the notice of violation. The person is entitled to a hearing on the existence of the violation, the amount of proposed penalty, or both, if he or she requests a hearing within 30 days of receipt of the department's response and proposed penalty. The request for hearing must set forth a statement of the reasons that the person is contesting assessment of the penalty.

(4) Upon conclusion of the hearing, the department shall, within 60 days, issue its findings of fact and conclusions of law and order dismissing the violation or assessing a penalty. If a civil penalty is assessed, the person shall pay the penalty within 30 days of receipt of the order or such additional time as is granted by the department.

(5) The assessment of the civil penalty is appealable to district court pursuant to Title 2, chapter 4, part 7, MCA.