Section 324.63506 - Powers of departmentTo implement this part, the department has the following powers:
(a) To promulgate and enforce rules pertaining to surface coal mining and reclamation operations consistent with the general intent and purposes of this part.(b) To issue permits pursuant to this part.(c) To conduct hearings pursuant to this part and the administrative procedures act of 1969, Act No. 306 of the Public Acts of 1969, being sections 24.201 to 24.328 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.(d) To issue orders requiring an operator to take actions that are necessary to comply with this part and with rules promulgated under this part.(e) To issue orders modifying previous orders.(f) To issue a final order revoking the permit of an operator who has failed to comply with an order of the department requiring the operator to take action required by this part or rules promulgated under this part.(g) To order the immediate cessation of an ongoing surface mining operation or part of an ongoing surface mining operation if the department finds that the operation or part of the operation creates an imminent danger to the health and safety of the public, or is causing or can reasonably be expected to cause significant imminent harm to land, air, or water resources, and to take other action or make changes in a permit that are reasonably necessary to avoid or alleviate these conditions.(h) To enter on and inspect a surface mining operation that is subject to this part to assure compliance with this part.(i) To conduct, encourage, request, and participate in studies, surveys, investigations, research, experiments, training, and demonstrations by contract, grant, or otherwise.(j) To prepare and require permittees to prepare reports.(k) To accept, receive, and administer grants pursuant to section 407(e) of title IV of the surface mining control and reclamation act of 1977 and accept, receive, and administer grants, gifts, loans, or other funds made available from any other source for the purposes of this part.(l) To take those steps necessary to ensure that the state may participate to the fullest extent practicable in the abandoned land program provided in title IV of the surface mining control and reclamation act of 1977.(m) To take those actions necessary to establish exclusive jurisdiction over surface coal mining and reclamation in this state under the provisions of this part and the surface mining control and reclamation act of 1977, including, in the event the federal administrative agency disapproves this state's program as submitted, making recommendations for remedial legislation to clarify, alter, or amend the program to meet the terms of the surface mining control and reclamation act of 1977.(n) To enter into contracts with other state agencies that have pertinent expertise to obtain the professional and technical services necessary to implement this part.(o) To establish a process, in order to avoid duplication, for coordinating the review and issuance of permits for surface coal mining and reclamation operations with any other federal or state permit process applicable to the proposed operations.(p) To enter into cooperative agreements with the secretary of the United States department of the interior for the regulation of surface coal mining operations on federal land in accordance with the surface mining control and reclamation act of 1977.(q) To perform any other duties and acts required by and provided for in this part.Add. 1995, Act 57, Imd. Eff. 5/24/1995.