(a) This Act shall be administered by the Department of Natural Resources in accordance with the provisions of the Department of Natural Resources Act and the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.(b) The Department has the authority to allow variances from particular provisions of this Act if practical difficulties or particular hardships are in the way of carrying out the strict letter of any provision and if the variance will be substantially equivalent to the standards of health and safety as set out in this Act. A request for variance under this Section must be in writing and must state the provision from which a variance is sought, the extent of the variance sought, and the reasons supporting the variance request. The Department shall review the request and, if necessary, inspect the mine to be affected by variance. The Department shall issue a decision either denying or granting the variance or allowing a modified variance. Any interested person shall have the right to appeal any such decision to the Director of the Department. After notice and hearing, the Director shall render a final administrative decision on the variance request.(c) The Department has the authority to promulgate rules to carry out the purposes and enforce the provisions of this Section and this Act.P.A. 89-445, eff. 2/7/1996.