3. The department shall have the power to direct the sealing of any abandoned borehole or well not in use, or any well when, in its judgment, the condition of the well endangers or threatens the subsurface or percolating waters by the intrusion of salt water or from any other cause, or if it endangers life. The department may, when it determines that an emergency condition exists, direct the prompt sealing of an abandoned borehole or well. An owner or drilling contractor of any abandoned borehole or well who is responsible for having that borehole or well sealed pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1951, c.193 (C. 58:4A-4.1) but fails or refuses to seal it in the time and manner directed by the department shall be subject to the penalty provisions and other remedies set forth in section 20 of P.L.1947, c.377 (C. 58:4A-24).

L.1951,c.193,s.3; amended 1979,c.398,s.22; 1995,c.312,s.3.