Sec. 4105.

(1) The mayor of each city, the president of each village, the township supervisor of each township, the responsible executive officer of a governmental agency, and all other persons operating sewerage systems in this state shall file with the department a true copy of the plans and specifications of the entire sewerage system owned or operated by that person, including any filtration or other purification plant or treatment works as may be operated in connection with the sewerage system, and also plans and specifications of all alterations, additions, or improvements to the systems that may be made. The plans and specifications shall, in addition to all other requirements, show all the sources through or from which water is or may be at any time pumped or otherwise permitted to enter into the sewerage system, and the drain, watercourse, river, or lake into which sewage is to be discharged. The plans and specifications shall be certified by the mayor of a city, the president of a village, a responsible member of a partnership, an individual owner, or the proper officer of any other person that operates the sewerage system, as well as by the engineer, if any are employed by any such operator. The department may promulgate and enforce rules regarding the preparation and submission of plans and specifications and for the issuance and period of validity of construction permits for the work.

(2) A person shall not construct a sewerage system or any filtration or other purification plant or treatment works in connection with a sewerage system except as authorized by a construction permit issued by the department pursuant to part 13. An application for a permit shall be submitted by the mayor of a city, the president of a village, a responsible member of a partnership, an individual owner, or the proper officer of any other person proposing the construction. If eligible, a person may request an expedited review of an application for a construction permit under section 4112. An application for a permit shall include plans and specifications as described in subsection (1). If considered appropriate by the department, the department may issue a permit with conditions to correct minor design problems.

(3) The department may verbally approve minor modifications of a construction permit issued by the department as a result of unforeseen site conditions that become apparent during construction. Minor modifications include, but are not limited to, a minor change of location of the sewer or location of manholes. The person making the request for a modification shall provide to the department all relevant information pursuant to R 299.2931 to R 299.2945 of the Michigan administrative code and the application form provided by the department related to the requested modification. Written approval from the department shall be obtained for all modifications except when the department provides verbal approval for a minor modification as provided for in this subsection. The person receiving a written or verbal approval from the department shall submit revised plans or specifications to the department within 10 days from the date of approval.

(4) If a person seeks confirmation of the department’s verbal approval of a minor modification under subsection (3), the person shall notify the department electronically, at an address specified by the department, with a detailed description of the request for the modification. The department shall make reasonable efforts to respond within 2 business days, confirming whether the request has been approved or not approved. If the department has not responded within 2 business days after the department receives the detailed description, the verbal approval shall be considered confirmed.

(5) A municipal officer or an officer or agent of a person who permits or allows construction to proceed on a sewerage works without a valid permit, or in a manner not in accordance with the plans and specifications approved by the department, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both.

History: 1994, Act 451, Eff. Mar. 30, 1995 ;-- Am. 2004, Act 325, Imd. Eff. Sept. 10, 2004 ;-- Am. 2006, Act 602, Imd. Eff. Jan. 3, 2007 Popular Name: Act 451Popular Name: NREPAAdmin Rule: R 299.2901 et seq. of the Michigan Administrative Code.