A person shall not drain, divert, control, or use water for the operation of a low-grade iron ore mining property except as authorized by a permit issued by the department pursuant to part 13. An application for a permit shall include information and data as may be prescribed by the department in its rules and regulations. Not later than 60 days following receipt of an application, the department shall fix the time and place for a public hearing on the application and shall publish notice of the hearing. The notice shall be published twice in each county involved in at least 1 newspaper of general circulation in the county. At the hearing, the applicant and any other interested party may appear, present witnesses, and submit evidence. Following the hearing, the department may grant the permit and publish notice of the granting of the permit, in the manner provided for publication of notice of hearing, upon finding the following conditions:

    (a) That the proposed drainage, diversion, control, or use of waters is necessary for the mining of substantial deposits of low-grade iron ore, and that other feasible and economical methods of obtaining a continuing supply of water for that purpose are not available to the applicant.

    (b) That the proposed drainage, diversion, control, or use of waters will not unreasonably impair the interests of the public or of riparians in lands or waters or the beneficial public use of lands, and will not endanger the public health or safety.