(a) If a permit holder fails to comply with the conditions and terms of the permit issued under AS 16.12.010 within a reasonable period after notification by the department of noncompliance, the permit may be suspended or revoked, in the discretion of the commissioner.
(b) If the commissioner finds that the operation of the permitted activity is not in the best interests of the public, the commissioner may alter the conditions of the permit to mitigate the adverse effects of the operation or, if the adverse effects are irreversible and cannot be mitigated sufficiently, initiate a termination of the operation under the permit over a reasonable period under the circumstances, not to exceed four years. During the period that the operation is being terminated, the permit holder may harvest shellfish under the terms of the permit but may not release additional shellfish.