What is the purpose of a Notice of Violation (NOV)?

The purpose of a Notice of Violation (NOV) is to inform a party about their violations of environmental laws or regulations. An NOV serves as an official document that details the nature of the violations, providing specific information about what laws were broken and the circumstances surrounding the violations. This notice is often a critical step in regulatory compliance, as it formally communicates to the violator that they need to address and correct the issues to avoid further legal action or penalties. The NOV can serve not only to alert the violator but also as a record that may be used in future enforcement actions if compliance is not achieved. Understanding this function is essential for entities involved in environmental management and compliance, as it highlights the importance of adhering to environmental regulations to prevent legal repercussions.