March 11, 2015, Introduced by Rep. Pettalia and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources.
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled
"Natural resources and environmental protection act,"
(MCL 324.101 to 324.90106) by adding section 30107a.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 30107a. (1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this
act, in considering an application for the renewal of a permit
under this part for excavation or mining activities associated with
an active mining operation that has created or affects an inland
lake, if the scope of the project subject to the original permit
has not materially increased, the department shall not require any
additional studies to be submitted and shall approve the renewal
application within 30 days. This subsection does not apply if the
department demonstrates by a preponderance of sound scientific
evidence that the originally permitted activity has had a
materially adverse effect on human health or the environment. For
purposes of this subsection, the scope of a project shall be
considered to have "materially increased" only if there has been,
or is proposed in the application, an increase of 10% or more to
the horizontal or vertical extent of excavation below the water
table compared with the maximum excavation below the water table
allowed under the original permit.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, the
application fee for an application for a permit renewal under this
part for excavation or mining activities associated with an active
mining operation that has created or affects an inland lake, if the
scope of the project subject to the original permit has not
materially increased, shall not exceed $250.00.