Grass Lake Improvement Board v. Department of Environmental Quality

In this appeal and cross-appeal arising out of a contested administrative proceeding, the par ties challenge the circuit court’s order reversing the decision of an administrative law judge (ALJ) and awarding attorney fees to petitioner, Grass Lake Improvement Board (the Board). We reverse the circuit court and reinstate the decision of the ALJ.

I. FACTUAL BACKGROUND

The attorney fees at issue were incurred in a previous contested case under the Administrative Procedures Act (APA), MCL 24.201 et seq., that was initiated by the Board against respondent, the Department of Environmental Quality…