2023 Michigan Compiled Laws › Chapter 324 - Natural Resources and Environmental Protection › Act 451 of 1994 - Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (324.101 - 324.90106) › Article II - Pollution Control (324.3101...324.21563) › 451-1994-II-2 - Chapter 2 Nonpoint Source Pollution Control (324.8201...324.9510) › 451-1994-II-2-85 - Part 85 Fertilizers (324.8501...324.8522) › Section 324.8520 - Violations; Penalties; Remedies; Injunctive Action; Civil Action; Defenses; Liability for Damages; Applicability of Provisions of Revised Judicature Act.

324.8520 Violations; penalties; remedies; injunctive action; civil action; defenses; liability for damages; applicability of provisions of revised judicature act.
Sec. 8520.
(1) A person who violates or attempts to violate this part or rules promulgated under this part is subject to the penalties and remedies provided in this part regardless of whether he or she acted directly or through an employee or agent.
(2) The director, upon finding after notice and an opportunity for an administrative hearing that a person has violated or attempted to violate any provision of this part or a rule promulgated under this part, may impose an administrative fine of not more than $1,000.00 for each violation or attempted violation. A person shall not be fined under both this subsection and subsection (7) for the same violation or attempted violation. A person shall not be fined under this subsection for a violation described in subsection (7)(b).
(3) If the director finds that a violation or attempted violation has occurred despite the exercise of due care or did not result in significant harm to human health or the environment, the director may issue a warning instead of imposing an administrative fine.
(4) The director shall advise the attorney general of the failure of any person to pay an administrative fine imposed under this section. The attorney general shall bring an action in a court of competent jurisdiction to recover the fine.
(5) A person who violates this part or a rule promulgated under this part, or attempts to violate this part or a rule promulgated under this part, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days or a fine of not more than $5,000.00 for each violation or attempted violation, in addition to any administrative fines imposed. This subsection does not apply to a violation or attempted violation of section 8512b or 8512f.
(6) A person who knowingly and with malicious intent violates or attempts to violate this part or a rule promulgated under this part is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 90 days or a fine of not more than $25,000.00 for each offense. This subsection does not apply to a violation or attempted violation of section 8512b or 8512f.
(7) A person who violates or attempts to violate section 8512b or 8512f is responsible for a state civil infraction and may be ordered to pay a civil fine of not more than the following for each violation or attempted violation:
(a) Except as provided in subdivision (b), not more than $1,000.00.
(b) Not more than $50.00 if all of the following apply:
(i) The violation or attempted violation occurs on a single-family residential parcel, or any other parcel or contiguous parcels with a total of not more than 4 acres of turf.
(ii) The violation or attempted violation is committed by the property owner or lessee, a member of his or her family, or a person who resides on the property.
(8) The director may bring an action to enjoin the violation or threatened violation of this part or a rule promulgated under this part in a court of competent jurisdiction of the county in which the violation occurs or is about to occur.
(9) The attorney general may file a civil action in which the court may impose on any person who violates or attempts to violate this part or a rule promulgated under this part, other than section 8512b or 8512f, a civil fine of not more than $5,000.00 for each violation or attempted violation. In addition, the attorney general may bring an action in circuit court to recover the reasonable costs of the investigation from any person who violated this part or attempted to violate this part. Money recovered under this subsection shall be forwarded to the state treasurer for deposit into the fund.
(10) In defense of an action filed under this section for a violation or attempted violation of this part, in addition to any other lawful defense, a person may present evidence as an affirmative defense that, at the time of the alleged violation or attempted violation, he or she was in compliance with this part and rules promulgated under this part.
(11) A person who violates this part is liable for all damages sustained by a purchaser of a product sold in violation of this part. In an enforcement action, a court, in addition to other sanctions provided by law, may order restitution to a party injured by the purchase of a product sold in violation of this part.
(12) A civil action filed pursuant to this part is subject to applicable provisions of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.101 to 600.9947.
History:
Add. 2006, Act 503, Eff. Mar. 30, 2007 ;-- Am. 2010, Act 299, Imd. Eff. Dec. 16, 2010
Compiler's Notes:
Act 451
Popular Name:
NREPA