Arenac Conservation District

Do i need a soil erosion permit?

Under Part 91 of the Michigan Natural Resources and Envrionmental Protection Act (NREPA Act 451 of Public Acts of 1994), an earth change activity requires a Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Permit if it:

Disurbs 1 or more acres of lands, or
Is within 500 feet of a lake, river, stream other Waters or the State.

Part 91 Permits are NOT required for the following activities:

All residential gardening, unless the natural elevation is raised (i.e: raised box gardens where fill dirt will be added)
Tree or shrub stump removal not exceeding 100 sq ft, unless it is conducted within 500ft of waters of the state. Contact the office for clarification.
Post hole digging for fencing, decks, utility posts, mailboxes or similar applications. This only applies if no additional grading is done.
Some logging and mining operations, NOT including access roads to logging and mining sites, or removal of clay, gravel, sand, peat ortopsoil.
Earth change activities associated with oil or gas exploration and development including well locations, surface facilities, flow lines, or access roads to oil or gas exploration and development. These activities are regulated under Part 615 of the NREPA. Contact EGLE for more information.
Beach nourishment projects, which require an EGLE permit under Part 325 of Act 451.
Normal road and driveway maintenance such as grading or leveling, that does not increase the width or length of the road or driveway and will not contribute sediment to lakes or streams.
Minor earth-change activities stabilized within 24 hours, including but not limited to:

- Planting of trees, shrubs, or other similar plants.

- Seeding or reseeding of lawns less than one acre if the seeded area is at

least 100 feet from Waters of the State from state waters.

- Temporar stockpiles of soil, sand, or gravel not greater than a total of 10

cubic yards on the property if the stockpiling occurs at least 100 ft. from

Waters of the State.

- Seawall maintenance not exceeding 100 square feet. This is only

applicable to maintenance with no disturbance. Replacement seawalls

still need a permit.

What is Arenac Conservation District's Role?

Arenac Conservation District is authorized as the County Enforcing Agency for Arenac County under Revised Ordinance 2017-01. Certified SESC Agents under the Arenac Conservation District are authorized to issue permits, conduct regulatory site visits, collect payments and issue citations on behalf of Arenac County.

What do I need for my permit?

The following information, plans and documents must be included with the application form:

A final design plan or development plan detailing all items of work.
A map or site plan, at a scale of not more than 200 feet per inch, showing all predominant land features, and contour intervals, and proximity to lakes or streams.
The description and location of all existing and proposed drainage and dewatering facilities.
A soils description of the affected areas, if so requested by the County Enforcing Agency.
A legal description of the site indicating legal ownership.
A description and location of the physical limits of the proposed earth change.
A listed sequence of each proposed earth change and the estimated time required to complete each.
The location and description for installing and removing all proposed temporary soil erosion and sediment control measures.
A description and the location off all proposed permanent soil erosion and sediment control measures.
A program proposal for the continued maintenance of all permanent soil erosion and sediment control measures that remain after project completion, including the designation of the person responsible for the maintenance. Maintenance responsibilities will be a part of any sales or exchange agreement for the land on which the permanent soil erosion control measures are located.

Do i need any additional permits?

Additional storm water coverage may be required uner Part 31 of the NREPA. For sites under 5 acres, storm water coverage is included under the Part 91 permit granted by administered through Arenac Conservation District. Earth change activities over five acres must submit a Notice of Coverage to the Water Resources Department the the MiEnviroPortal. For more information, contact the EGLE Environmental Assistance Center at 800-662-9278.

An additional EGLE/USACE Joint Permit Application (JPA) may be neccessary for activities where the land meets the water. Check the JPA Decision Tree document at the bottom of this page to determine if you need a JPA. For more information, visit michigan.gov/jointpermit.