As used in this part:

    (a) "Low-grade iron ore" means iron-bearing rock in the Upper Peninsula of this state that is not merchantable as ore in its natural state and from which merchantable ore can be produced only by beneficiation or treatment.

    (b) "Low-grade iron ore mining property" includes the ore beneficiation or treatment plant and other necessary buildings, facilities, and lands located in the Upper Peninsula of this state.

     Substantial deposits of low-grade iron ore are located in the Upper Peninsula of this state. The development and continuation of the industry of mining and beneficiating low-grade ores will provide employment and generally improve economic conditions in that area and will be in the public interest and for the public welfare of this state. As the mining and beneficiating of the low-grade iron ore requires considerable quantities of water, it is necessary that persons engaged in or about to engage in the mining and beneficiation of low-grade iron ores be assured of an adequate and continuing supply of water for the operations to protect the large capital expenditures required for mills, plants, and other improvements. Therefore, the use of water in connection with the mining and beneficiation of low-grade iron ores is in the public interest, for the public welfare, and for a public purpose, and permits for the use of water or waters may be issued by the department in connection with the mining and beneficiation of low-grade iron ores as provided in this part.

     A person shall not drain, divert, control, or use water for the operation of a low-grade iron ore mining property except as authorized by a permit issued by the department pursuant to part 13. An application for a permit shall include information and data as may be prescribed by the department in its rules and regulations. Not later than 60 days following receipt of an application, the department shall fix the time and place for a public hearing on the application and shall publish notice of the hearing. The notice shall be published twice in each county involved in at least 1 newspaper of general circulation in the county. At the hearing, the applicant and any other interested party may appear, present witnesses, and submit evidence. Following the hearing, the department may grant the permit and publish notice of the granting of the permit, in the manner provided for publication of notice of hearing, upon finding the following conditions:

    (a) That the proposed drainage, diversion, control, or use of waters is necessary for the mining of substantial deposits of low-grade iron ore, and that other feasible and economical methods of obtaining a continuing supply of water for that purpose are not available to the applicant.

    (b) That the proposed drainage, diversion, control, or use of waters will not unreasonably impair the interests of the public or of riparians in lands or waters or the beneficial public use of lands, and will not endanger the public health or safety.

     Neither the state nor any of its officers, agents, or employees shall incur any liability because of the issuance of a permit under this part or of any act or omission of the permittee or his or her agents or servants under or in connection with a permit issued under this part.

     Every permit granted under this part shall be for a term as is necessary to permit the mining to exhaustion and beneficiation of all low-grade iron ore referred to in the permit application, but not to exceed 50 years. The department may prescribe in the permit such time as it considers reasonable for the commencement or completion of any operations or construction under the permit or the exercise of the rights granted in the permit. The original term of the permit or the time allowed for the performance of any condition in the permit may be extended by the department upon application of the permittee.

     Every permit issued by the department under this part shall give to the permittee the right to use the water specified in the permit at the times, in the manner, in the quantity, and under the circumstances as specified in the permit, subject to the conditions contained in the permit, and shall be irrevocable except for a breach or violation of the terms and conditions of the permit. If the department finds, upon consideration of the needs of the applicant, the public interest to be served by the use of the water by the applicant, and all other facts relating to the use of the water, that the public interest requires the inclusion in the permit of a provision that will authorize modification or revocation of the permit, then the department may provide for modification or revocation of the permit by including in the permit the specific grounds upon which the permit may be modified or revoked by the department in the public interest. A permit issued pursuant to this part shall not be revoked for breach or violation of the terms and conditions of the permit or be revoked or modified upon other grounds specified in the permit unless the permittee has been given an opportunity to be heard on the grounds for the proposed revocation or modification after 30 days' written notice to the permittee. A permit shall not be revoked for breach or violation of the terms and conditions of the permit unless the permittee has been given an opportunity to correct or remedy the alleged breach or violation within a reasonable time and has failed to do so. Every notice shall specify the grounds for the proposed revocation or modification and, in the event of a proposed modification, the extent of the modification. If a violation of the conditions of a permit exists that in the judgment of the department threatens the public interest in the waters involved as to require abatement without first giving 30 days' written notice to the permittee, the department may issue an emergency order for abatement, which order shall have the same validity as if a 30 days' written notice had been given and the permittee had been granted a hearing. The emergency order shall remain in force no longer than 21 days from its effective date. Failure to comply with an emergency order constitutes grounds for revocation of the permit.

    (1) The department is responsible for enforcing this part.

    (2) At any hearing, the department, or its duly authorized agents, has the power to administer oaths, to take testimony and compel the introduction of written evidence, to issue subpoenas, and to compel the attendance of witnesses.

     The department shall promulgate rules to implement this part. Any interested person has the right of judicial review from any decision, order, or permit made or granted by the department under 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.