175Minister may carry out rehabilitation

175 Minister may carry out rehabilitation

(1) The Minister may do anything necessary to rehabilitate land that has been used for a petroleum operation if she or he—

(a) is not satisfied that the land has been rehabilitated as required by section 170; or

(b) is satisfied that further rehabilitation of the land is necessary; or

(c) is asked to do so by the owner of the land.

(2) The Minister may only do this if she or he has asked the holder or former holder of the authority to rehabilitate the land and it has failed to do so within a reasonable period after the request.

(3) The Minister may recover as a debt due to the Crown in a court of competent jurisdiction any amount incurred under subsection (1) that cannot be recovered from the rehabilitation bond that applies in respect of the land.

(4) If the Minister refuses to act on a request under subsection (1)(c), she or he must inform the owner of the land of the reasons for that refusal.

S. 176 amended by No. 20/2020 s. 23(1)(2) (ILA s. 39B(1)).