Michigan Laws 324.63221 – Violations
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Terms Used In Michigan Laws 324.63221
- Allegation: something that someone says happened.
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Department: means the department of environmental quality. See Michigan Laws 324.63201
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
- Metallic product: means a commercially salable mineral produced primarily for its nonferrous metallic mineral content in its final marketable form or state. See Michigan Laws 324.63201
- Mining area: means an area of land from which earth material is removed in connection with nonferrous metallic mineral mining, the lands on which material from that mining is stored or deposited, the lands on which beneficiating or treatment plants and auxiliary facilities are located, the lands on which the water reservoirs used in the nonferrous metallic mineral mining process are located, and auxiliary lands that are used in connection with the mining. See Michigan Laws 324.63201
- Mining permit: means a permit issued under this part for conducting nonferrous metallic mineral mining and reclamation operations. See Michigan Laws 324.63201
- operator: means a permittee or other person who is engaged in, or who is preparing to engage in, mining operations for nonferrous metallic minerals, whether individually or jointly, or through agents, employees, or contractors. See Michigan Laws 324.63201
- Permittee: means a person who holds a mining permit. See Michigan Laws 324.63201
- Person: means an individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental entity, or other legal entity. See Michigan Laws 324.301
- Rule: means a rule promulgated pursuant to the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24. See Michigan Laws 324.301
- state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, shall be construed to extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories belonging to the United States; and the words "United States" shall be construed to include the district and territories. See Michigan Laws 8.3o
- United States: shall be construed to include the district and territories. See Michigan Laws 8.3o
(1) If the department determines that an operator has violated this part, a rule promulgated under this part, or a mining permit issued under this part, the department shall require the operator to correct the violation.
(2) If the department determines that a violation under subsection (1) is causing or resulting in an imminent and substantial endangerment to the public health or safety, environment, or natural resources, the department shall take action necessary to abate or eliminate the endangerment. Such action may include 1 or more of the following:
(a) Revoking the mining permit.
(b) Issuing an order to the operator requiring immediate suspension of activities at the mining operation, including the removal of metallic product from the site.
(c) Issuing an order to the operator to undertake such other response actions as may be necessary to abate or eliminate the endangerment.
(3) Before taking action under this section to suspend operations or revoke a mining permit, or to otherwise prevent the continuation of mining operations, the department shall give written notice, in person or by mail, to the operator. Subject to subsection (4), the department shall provide the operator an opportunity for an evidentiary hearing.
(4) If the department finds that emergency action is required to protect the public health, safety, or welfare, or to protect the environment, the department may issue an emergency order without a public hearing to require an operator to suspend operations or to take other corrective actions. An emergency order shall remain in force and effect for not more than 21 days.
(5) If the operator or surety fails or neglects to correct the violation or take corrective actions as specified under an order of the department, the department may, after giving written notice to the operator and surety, enter in or upon the mining area and upon and across any private or public property necessary to reach the mining area and take whatever action is necessary to curtail and remediate any damage to the environment and public health resulting from the violation, and the operator and surety are jointly and severally liable for all expenses incurred by the department. The claim shall be paid by the operator or surety within 30 days, and, if the claim is not paid within that time, the department may bring suit against the operator or surety, jointly or severally, for the collection of the claim in any court of competent jurisdiction. This part does not limit the department’s authority to take whatever response activities it determines necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare and the environment.
(6) The revocation of a mining permit or suspension of activities under subsection (2) does not relieve a permittee of the responsibility to complete reclamation, maintain financial assurance required under section 63211, and undertake all appropriate measures to protect the environment, natural resources, and public health and safety.
(7) If the department receives an allegation of improper action under or a violation of this part, a rule promulgated under this part, or a condition of a permit issued under this part, and the person making the allegation provides evidence or corroboration sufficient to support the allegation, as determined by the department, the department shall do all of the following:
(a) Make a record of the allegation.
(b) Conduct an inspection of the mining operation to investigate the allegation not more than 5 business days after receipt of the complaint or allegation. If the complaint or allegation is of a highly serious nature, as determined by the department, the mining operation shall be inspected as quickly as possible. However, an investigation or inspection under this subsection shall comply with the United States constitution, the state constitution of 1963, and this section.
(c) Not more than 15 business days after completing an investigation of the allegation, make a written report of the allegation and the results of the investigation to the operator and the person who made the allegation.
(8) The department shall comply with the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.201 to 24.328, in its actions under this section.