(a) Action in equity.--The Attorney General, at the request of the Department of Agriculture, may initiate in the court of common pleas of the judicial district in which the defendant resides or has a place of business an action in equity for an injunction to restrain any violation of this act. The Commonwealth shall not be required to furnish a bond or other security in connection with this proceeding.

(b) Restraint of violations.--In addition to any other remedies in this act, the Department of Environmental Resources may institute a suit in equity in the name of the Commonwealth where a violation of law or nuisance exists for an injunction to restrain a violation of this act or the rules, regulations, standards or orders adopted or issued thereunder and to restrain the maintenance or threat of a public nuisance. In this proceeding, the court shall, upon motion of the Commonwealth, issue a prohibitory or mandatory preliminary injunction if it finds that the defendant is engaging in unlawful conduct as defined by this act or is engaged in conduct which is causing immediate and irreparable harm to the public. The Commonwealth shall not be required to furnish a bond or other security in connection with these proceedings. In addition to an injunction, the court, in these equity proceedings, may levy civil penalties as specified in section 6.¹