MN HF3737

Permit applicants may offer to reimburse the Pollution Control Agency for staff time and consultant services to expedite permit development and environmental review document analysis, in addition to standard permit fees.

Project proposers requiring environmental impact statements may request the commissioner assess them for expedited preapplication and permit development costs, with a draft cost agreement provided within 15 days and at least 50% payment due within 10 days.

Reimbursements and payments are appropriated to the agency for permit development purposes and must not affect permit issuance decisions, permit conditions, or environmental review determinations.

The commissioner may require nonferrous mining projects to use the cost assessment procedure and cannot charge other permit fees under this subdivision when doing so.

Any overpayments made by project proposers must be refunded within 30 days of the commissioner's accounting of actual permit development costs.