62.—(1) SEPA may take steps or arrange for steps to be taken to remove or reduce a risk of significant environmental harm (whether or not it has taken other steps for that purpose) if it considers that the—
(a)carrying on of a regulated activity;
(b)carrying on of a regulated activity in a particular manner; or
(c)cessation of a regulated activity,
involves such a risk.
(2) Where SEPA considers that a regulatory notice should be served, SEPA may take steps or arrange for any steps that would have been identified in that notice to be taken (whether or not it has taken other steps for that purpose), if it appears to SEPA, after reasonable inquiry, that no person can be found on whom to serve the notice.
(3) Where paragraph (4) applies, SEPA may take or arrange for any or all of the steps specified in the notice to be taken (whether or not it has taken other steps for that purpose), on giving at least 7 days’ notice of the steps to be taken to the person on whom the notice was served.
(4) This paragraph applies where—
(a)SEPA has served any of a—
(i)regulatory notice;
(ii)surrender notice;
(iii)revocation notice; and
(b)the person on whom the notice was served has failed to comply with it (in whole or in part).
(5) Where SEPA has taken steps or arranged for steps to be taken under paragraph (1), (2) or (3), SEPA may recover by costs recovery notice the costs of doing so (including any compensation paid to the grantors of any rights) from the authorised person or the person on whom—
(a)SEPA served, or would have served, a regulatory notice; or
(b)SEPA served a surrender or revocation notice.
(6) A person whose consent would be required for steps under paragraph (1), (2) or (3) to be taken must grant (or join in granting) such rights as are necessary for SEPA to take or arrange for those steps to be taken.
(7) A person who grants, or joins in granting, any rights necessary for SEPA to take steps or arrange for steps under paragraph (1), (2) or (3) to be taken may apply for compensation, in accordance with schedule 2, of such amount and in such manner as may be determined under that schedule.