4. Any farm operator who violates any of the provisions of this act or the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder shall be subject to a penalty of not less than $50.00 nor more than $500.00 to be collected in a civil action commenced by the commissioner by a summary proceeding under “the penalty enforcement law” (N.J.S. 2A:58-1 et seq.) in the Superior Court or a municipal court, which shall have jurisdiction to enforce said penalty enforcement law in connection with this act. If the violation is of a continuing nature, each day during which it continues after the date given by which the violation must be eliminated in accordance with the order of the department shall constitute an additional, separate and distinct offense.

It shall be a complete defense to any action for a penalty pursuant to this section for the defendant to prove that the violation complained of is solely the result of the willful destruction by the occupants of any camp; provided, that proof of such fact shall not alter any duty to correct or terminate said violation as ordered by the commissioner.

L.1971,c.193,s.4; amended 1991,c.91,s.352.