(1) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3), a person having an interest that is or may be adversely affected by an operation not in compliance with a permit or this part may commence a civil action in circuit court or federal district court, whichever has jurisdiction, on his or her own behalf to compel compliance against any of the following:
  (a) The department or other state agency if there is alleged a failure of the department or other state agency to perform any act or duty under this part that is not discretionary with the department or other state regulatory authority.

Terms Used In Michigan Laws 324.63538

  • Common law: The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States. It is based on judicial decisions rather than legislative action.
  • Department: means the director of the department of natural resources or his or her designee to whom the director delegates a power or duty by written instrument. See Michigan Laws 324.301
  • in writing: shall be construed to include printing, engraving, and lithographing; except that if the written signature of a person is required by law, the signature shall be the proper handwriting of the person or, if the person is unable to write, the person's proper mark, which may be, unless otherwise expressly prohibited by law, a clear and classifiable fingerprint of the person made with ink or another substance. See Michigan Laws 8.3q
  • Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
  • 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.
  • Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.
  • Person: means an individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental entity, or other legal entity. See Michigan Laws 324.301
  • Plaintiff: The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
  • 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
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.
  • Temporary restraining order: Prohibits a person from an action that is likely to cause irreparable harm. This differs from an injunction in that it may be granted immediately, without notice to the opposing party, and without a hearing. It is intended to last only until a hearing can be held.
  • United States: shall be construed to include the district and territories. See Michigan Laws 8.3o
  (b) Any governmental instrumentality or agency of the United States that is alleged to be in violation of this part or of any rule, order, or permit issued pursuant to this part or any other person who is alleged to be in violation of any rule, order, or permit issued pursuant to this part.
  (2) An action shall not be commenced under subsection (1)(a) until 20 days after the person intending to bring the action has given notice in writing of the intent to commence a civil action to the department or other state regulatory authority in the manner as the department shall by rule prescribe, except that the action may be brought immediately after the notification if the violation or order complained of constitutes an imminent threat to the health or safety of the plaintiff or would immediately affect a legal interest of the plaintiff.
  (3) An action shall not be commenced under subsection (1)(b) until 20 days after the person intending to bring the action has given notice in writing of the violation to the department and to any alleged violator. However, if this state has commenced and is diligently prosecuting a civil action in a court of this state or the United States to require compliance with the provisions of this part, or any rule, order, or permit issued pursuant to this part, an action shall not be commenced pursuant to subsection (1)(b). In a civil action brought under this section, the department or federal regulatory agency, if not a party, may intervene as a matter of right.
  (4) The circuit court, in an action brought pursuant to this section, may award costs of litigation, including attorney and expert witness fees to a party. The court may, if a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction is sought, require the filing of a bond or equivalent security.
  (5) This section shall not be construed to restrict any right that a person or class of persons has under any statute or common law to seek enforcement of this part and the rules promulgated under this part, or to seek any other relief, including relief against the department.
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