What must an EO issue if nuisance is found?

Under Section 34 of the PERA Force Laws, if an Enforcement Officer (EO) determines that a public nuisance exists—whether it’s an environmental hazard, health risk, or obstruction—the officer is legally bound to issue an Environmental Protection Order (EPO). This EPO is a formal directive requiring the person or organization responsible for the nuisance to remove, stop, or mitigate it within a specified timeframe.

The issuance of an EPO represents the first official enforcement step once a nuisance is confirmed through inspection or inquiry. This process ensures that all environmental and public safety concerns are handled systematically, giving the offender a chance to comply before more severe legal action is taken.

For example, if a business is found releasing toxic waste or creating excessive smoke that affects nearby residents, the EO can issue an EPO demanding immediate corrective measures—such as halting the polluting activity, cleaning the affected site, or adopting preventive systems. Failure to comply with the EPO can lead to prosecution, sealing of premises, or further enforcement under PERA provisions.

The EPO mechanism highlights the preventive and corrective nature of the PERA Force Laws. Instead of directly resorting to punitive measures, it prioritizes environmental restoration and public safety through compliance-based enforcement.

By empowering Enforcement Officers to issue EPOs swiftly, Section 34 ensures timely control of harmful activities while maintaining procedural fairness. This provision strengthens the Authority’s ability to uphold environmental law and safeguard the public against persistent nuisances.