Sec. 5518.

(1) If the department finds that a person is discharging or causing to be discharged into the atmosphere, directly or indirectly, an air contaminant and the discharge constitutes an imminent and substantial endangerment to the public health, safety, or welfare, or to the environment, and it appears to be prejudicial to the interests of the people of the state to delay action, the department shall notify the person by written notice that he or she must immediately discontinue the air pollution or take such other action as may be necessary to contain the imminent and substantial endangerment, or both. The written notice shall specify the facts that are the basis of the allegation. Within 7 days, the department shall provide the person the opportunity to be heard and to present any proof that the discharge does not constitute an imminent and substantial endangerment to the public health, safety, or welfare, or to the environment.

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, upon receipt of evidence that a person is discharging or causing to be discharged into the atmosphere, directly or indirectly, an air contaminant and the discharge constitutes an imminent and substantial endangerment to the public health, safety, or welfare, or to the environment, and it appears to be prejudicial to the interests of the people of the state to delay action, the attorney general may bring suit on behalf of the state in the appropriate circuit court to immediately discontinue the air pollution or take such other action as may be necessary to contain the imminent and substantial endangerment, or both.

(3) An order issued by the department under subsection (1) is effective upon issuance and shall remain in effect for a period of not more than 7 days, unless the attorney general brings a civil action to restrain the alleged endangerment pursuant to subsection (2) or section 5530 before the expiration of that period. If the attorney general brings such an action within the 7-day period, the order issued by the department shall remain in effect for an additional 7 days or such other period as is authorized by the court in which the action is brought.

(4) Prior to taking an action under subsection (1), the department shall attempt to notify the emergency management coordinator for the county in which the source is located who is appointed pursuant to the emergency management act, Act No. 390 of the Public Acts of 1976, being sections 30.401 to 30.420 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.

History: 1994, Act 451, Eff. Mar. 30, 1995 Popular Name: Act 451Popular Name: NREPA