Non-Metallic Minerals mine or quarry reclamation
Under Part 631- Reclamation of Mining Lands, the Geological Survey is charged with the reclamation of non-metallic mines or quarries.

Sand and Gravel
If the location is more than two miles from a great lakes shoreline and is not in a protected dune area, the Geological Survey does not regulate it, but other State and local regulations may apply (see below).
Under Part 631. Sand, gravel, peat, marl, and clay are specifically excluded by section 324.63101 Definitions. As used in this part: (g) "Mineral" means any substance to be excavated from the natural deposits on or in the earth for commercial, industrial, or construction purposes, including gypsum, limestone, dolostone, sandstone, shale, metallic mineral, or other solid materials. Mineral does not include clay, gravel, marl, peat, inland sand or sand mined for commercial or industrial purposes, from sand dune areas regulated under part 637 , or coal regulated under part part 635 .

Minerals Exploration
Exploration for minerals by drilling test wells is regulated under Part 625 - Mineral Wells, as "Test Wells" .  For further information check our Mineral Wells page.

 Other Local and State Regulations That May Apply

LOCAL:

Gravel mining and sand mining (sometimes called gravel pits and rock quarries) in non-designated sand dune areas on private land are regulated by local ordinances.
First contact local zoning authorities, usually the township supervisors, for complaints about gravel pit operations and any local restrictions, ordinances, and operation requirements.

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (DEQ):

Second, contact the following DEQ Divisions based on activity and question. Multiple DEQ divisions, besides other state and local agencies, may have regulations pertaining to sand and gravel mining operations depending on the mining operations, what is being mined, and where.

CREATING LAKES: If a lake will be created from the excavation that is greater than 5 acres or is within 500 feet of surface waters, or the site involves wetland or the site involves any land/water interface:
Go to MDEQ/USACE Joint Permit Application
Contact the District Office, Department of Environmental Quality, Land and Water Management Division;

IMPACTING WATER LEVELS: Excavations for gravel pits or man-made lakes may have an impact on the local hydrologic conditions, primarily by diverting water or impacting water quality. It is necessary, before permits are issued, to determine pre-excavation hydrologic conditions at the proposed site and to assess whether adverse environmental impacts could occur.
Go to: General Guidelines for Hydrogeological Investigations

SAND DUNES:
Sand dunes are regulated by the Office of Geologic Survey (OGS) and the Land and Water Management Division (LWMD):

Go to Sand Dune Mining for information about sand dunes mining subject to the Part 637 of Act 451 requirements overseen by the Office of Geological Survey. The applicant for a permit to conduct sand dune mining in designated areas must submit an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Progressive Cell-Unit Mining & Reclamation Plan to the OGS. Contact Mr. Steve Wilson at 517-241-1542 or email to wilsons15@michigan.gov

Go to Sand Dune Protection for information about sand dune activities subject to Part 353 of Act 451 overseen by the Land and Water Management Division. Contact Ms. Penny Holt at 517-373-1952 or email to holtp@michigan.gov. A permit application can be obtained on line at www.michigan.gov/jointpermit

Go to Shoreland Management for issues related to high risk shorelines and information about other requirements

DUST ISSUES:
If the operation creates dust issue from crushing the stone or equipment operation including truck traffic:
Go to Dust and Fallout . Contact Donna Davis, Clean Air Assistance Program, Environmental Science & Services Division, at 517-335-2784 or District Office, Air Quality Division for more information on fugitive dust or particulate matter (PM) requirements;

TEST DRILLING WELLS:
If test drilling wells will be drilled in a rock quarry, then a permit is required by the Office of Geological Survey per rules effective June 1, 2004. Go to Mineral Wells. Contact Ray Vugrinovich at 517-241-1532 for more information

DEWATERING WELLS:
If a dewatering well will be installed:
Go to Water Well Construction   for links to requirements for wells. Contact the Water Bureau, Well Construction Unit, Mike Graber 517-241-1374, or Joe Crigier, Water Bureau, Contamination and Investigation Unit at 517-241-1389. They can discuss the well construction code which contains rules pertaining to construction and decommissioning of dewatering wells but does not contain permitting provisions. Dewatering contractors are required to be registered and submit well construction records. Local ordinances may require construction permits from the county or district health department before the wells are drilled. They can direct the caller to the appropriate local health department.

WASTEWATER DISCHARGES:
If wastewater will be discharged into surface waters from a mining site:
Go to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System "NPDES Permits" for general  information.
Go to General NPDES Permits , and scroll down to link to the general permit MIG499000 for sand and gravel mining wastewater.
Contact 517-241-7965 Water Bureau Compliance Assistance Specialist, Department of Environmental Quality, Environmental Science and Services Division or District Office, Water Bureau regarding general questions if wastewater will be discharged from the site into surface waters or groundwater; or
Regarding status of NPDES permit, contact 517-373-1329 Jude Woodcock, Department of Environmental Quality, Water Bureau, Permits Section or District Office, Water Bureau.

If wastewater will be discharged back into groundwater:
Go to Groundwater Permit Application Forms and Technical Information Look under "Rule 2215 Gravel Mining-1" to link to Certificate of Coverage COC under General Permit for Gravel, Sand, Limestone, or Dolomite Mining.  Contact Groundwater Section Permits and Technical Support Unit secretary at 517-373-8148 for referral to available staff to address questions about groundwater discharges.

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (DNR)

If the site is on state owned land:
Go to Nonmetallic Minerals for information about non-metallic minerals leasing. The Department of Natural Resources oversees leasing of state owned lands for mineral, oil, and gas mining and extraction along with underground gas storage under Part 5 of Act 451 of 1994, as amended. Contact Milt Gere, Metallics/Non-metallics Leasing & Gas Storage Unit Supervisor, at 517-335-3249. If he is not available," call the Department of Natural Resources, Forest, Mineral and Fire Management Division at 517-373-1250 to see if someone else can address your questions regarding leasing rights on state owned lands.

MICHIGAN OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (MIOSHA)

MIOSHA has regulations requiring Emergency Action Plans. According to staff, these requirements do not apply to mines as defined in Act 154 of 1974, 408.1004(7). MIOSHA does apply to sand and gravel pits and stone quarries. If you would like more information contact MIOSHA at 517-322-1814.