(a) Part 773 of this chapter, Requirements for Permits and Permit Processing, shall apply to any person who applies for a permit for surface coal mining and reclamation operations.

(b) In addition to the requirements of part 773, the following permit application review procedures shall apply:

(1) Any person applying for a permit shall submit five copies of the application to the Office.

(2) The Office shall review an application for administrative completeness and acceptability for further review and shall notify the applicant in writing of the findings. The Office may:

(i) Reject a flagrantly deficient application, notifying the applicant of the findings;

(ii) Request additional information required for completeness stating specifically what information must be supplied and negotiate the date by which the information must be submitted; or

(iii) Judge the application administratively complete and acceptable for further review.

(3) Should the applicant not submit the information as required by §912.773(b)(2)(ii) by the specified date, the office may reject the application. When the applicant submits the required information by the specified date, the Office shall review it and advise the applicant concerning its acceptability.

(4) When the application is judged administratively complete, the applicant shall be advised by the Office to file the public notice required by §773.6 of this chapter.

(5) A representative of the Office shall visit the proposed permit area to determine whether the operation and reclamation plans are consistent with actual site conditions. The applicant will be notified in advance of the time of the visit. At the time of the visit, the applicant shall have the locations of the proposed permit boundaries, topsoil storage areas, sediment control structures, roads, and other significant features contained in the application marked by flags.

(c) In addition to the information required by subchapter G of this chapter, the Office may require an applicant to submit supplementary information to ensure compliance with applicable Federal laws and regulations other than the Act.

(d) Where applicable, no person shall conduct surface coal exploration operations which result in the removal of more than 250 tons in one location, or surface coal mining operations without permits issued pursuant to the: Michigan Construction and Maintenance Act, MCL section 254.25, pertaining to the alteration of watercourses; Michigan Dams in Streams or Rivers Act of 1963, MCL section 281.131; Michigan Explosives Act of 1970, MCL section 29.41, pertaining to the use of explosives (permit is issued by an officer of a local police or sheriff's department or a designated officer of the State police); Michigan Hazardous Waste; Management Act of 1980, MCL section 299.501; Michigan Inland Lake and Streams Act of 1972, MCL section 281. 951; Michigan Mineral Wells Act of 1969, MCL section 319.211; Michigan Sand Dune Protection and Management Act of 1976, MCL section 281.651; Michigan Solid Waste Management Act of 1978, MCL section 299.401; Michigan Water Resources Commission Act, MCL section 323.1; Michigan Water Resources Commission General Rules, R-323.1001 et seq.; Michigan Water Quality Standards, R-323.1041; the Michigan Wetland Protection Act of 1969, MCL section 281.701; Michigan Aboriginal Records and Antiquities Act, MCL section 299.51; Michigan Great Lakes Submerged Lands Act, MCL section 322.701 and the Michigan Historical Activities Act, MCL section 399.201.

(e) The Secretary shall provide for the coordination of review and issuance of permits for surface mining and reclamation operations with applicable requirements of the Michigan Air Pollution Act of 1965, MCL section 336.11 and the Michigan Administrative Rules for Air Pollution Control, R-336.1101 et seq.; the Michigan Control and Eradication of Noxious Weeds Act, MCL section 247.61; the Michigan Endangered Species Act of 1974, MCL section 299.221 and the Michigan Hazardous Waste Management Act of 1980. The Secretary shall further coordinate review of permits, where applicable, with the appropriate State agencies concerning compliance with the Michigan Farmland and Open Space Preservation Act, MCL section 554.71.

[52 FR 13810, Apr. 24, 1987, as amended at 65 FR 79672, Dec. 19, 2000]