Who will decide if the mine will be issued a mining permit and allowed to open?
The decision-maker for all necessary permits, licenses, and approvals issued by the DNR is the Secretary of the Department. The Secretary, however, may designate a hearing examiner (administrative law judge) to make all decisions, in which case the State Division of Hearings and Appeals would appoint an administrative law judge prior to the commencement of the trial-like Master Hearing. The opening of the Master Hearing must be scheduled to begin for a date no less than 120 days and not greater than 180 days after the Final Environmental Impact Statement is published. The Department’s role is to review the project, provide technical expertise, and assist in developing the hearing record. Department staff will take a position at the Master Hearing on whether each permit, approval, or license should be issued (with conditions if necessary) or denied. These decisions must be consistent with state laws and regulations. At the conclusion of the Master Hearing — which is likely to last at l
