Sec. 63711.

(1) For purposes of surveillance, monitoring, administration, and enforcement of this part, an operator is assessed a fee of not more than 10 cents per ton of sand mined from a sand dune area for the calendar year reported as described in subsection (2). Funds collected by the assessment of the fee shall not exceed the actual costs to the department of implementing the sections of this part that pertain to sand dune mining. Any fees collected under this subsection that are unexpended at the end of a fiscal year shall be credited to a separate fund of the department, carried over to the succeeding fiscal year, and deducted from the amount appropriated for that year for surveillance, monitoring, administration, and enforcement of this part for purposes of computing the fee to be assessed for that year.

(2) An operator shall file an annual report on or before January 31 of each year. The report shall show the areas mined and describe the progress of restoration and reclamation activities of the operator for the preceding calendar year. The report shall contain both of the following:

(a) The number of tons of sand mined from a sand dune area.

(b) Location of the sand dune area.

(3) The fee described in subsection (1) shall be due not more than 30 days after the department sends written notice to the operator of the amount due.

(4) The surveillance fee and annual report required by this section is confidential and shall not be available for public inspection without the written consent of the person filing the fee and report, except in accordance with judicial order.

(5) Failure to submit an annual report in compliance with rules promulgated by the department constitutes grounds for revocation of a permit.

(6) A penalty equal to 10% of the amount due, or $1,000.00, whichever is greater, shall be assessed against the operator for a fee that is not paid when due. An unpaid fee and penalty shall constitute a debt and become the basis of a judgment against the operator. Penalties paid pursuant to this section shall be used for the implementation, administration, and enforcement of this part.

(7) Records upon which the annual report is based shall be preserved for 3 years and are subject to audit by the department.

(8) The department shall annually prepare and submit to the house of representatives and senate standing committees with jurisdiction over subject areas related to natural resources and the environment a report on the sand mining surveillance activities undertaken by the department for the immediately preceding year and the cost of those activities.

History: Add. 1995, Act 57, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1995 Popular Name: Act 451Popular Name: NREPA