PERMITS & Applications
Soil Erosion & Sedimentation Control
Sediment is one of the largest pollutants in our rivers, lakes and streams. In order to combat the impact sediment can have on our waterways, our Soil Erosion Department is tasked with administering The Michigan Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Act Part 91 and the Macomb County Soil Erosion Ordinance. These laws protect our water resources from sediment generated from construction sites.
In any given year we review over 1,500 projects and issue approximately 1,400 soil erosion permits for projects. The types of construction projects vary from swimming pools and new homes to shopping malls and churches. We monitor these construction projects to ensure that they are using the proper “Best Management Practices” to effectively reduce sediment from leaving the site. Our goal is to keep our waters clean for drinking water and for recreation while supporting the economic activities that help sustain our communities.
Drain Use Permits
Macomb County has over 800 drainage ditches within its boundaries. Most of these drains were constructed when Macomb County was populated by family farms. Many were built over 100 years ago and many have never been cleaned. Rivers and streams in Macomb County are the responsibility of the MDEQ. For example, the Clinton Rivers and its tributaries are regulated by MDEQ and require state permits or Middle Branch of Clinton River is under MCPWO jurisdiction.
Development projects such as a subdivisions, site condominiums, industrial buildings, and commercial projects are required to provide access and capacity for any existing drainage tributary to the site. The increased volume of water discharged due to development of the site must not create adverse impacts to downstream property owners, county drains, and watercourses. Adverse impacts may include, but are not limited to, flooding, excessive soil saturation, crop damage, erosion, and/or degradation in water quality or habitat. Proposed drainage for the development must conform to any established county drainage districts. The proposed drainage plan will, in every way possible, respect and conform to the natural drainage patterns within the site and the watershed in which it is located or conform to drainage patterns approved by the MCPWO.
If development is proposed in an area where special drainage problems exist or are anticipated at the site, on adjacent properties, or downstream, more stringent design requirements than contained herein may be required. If any part of the site lies within a floodplain, then it must satisfy local, state, and federal requirements for construction within a floodplain.
Types of Requests