Missaukee Conservation District
Living Better With ~ Fresh Air ~ Healthy Soils ~ Clean Water ~ More Recycling and Less Waste
Missaukee Conservation District is the permitting and enforcing agency for the Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control program within Missaukee County.
Who needs a permit?
Applications are required for all soil disturbances:
- located within 500 feet of a body of water (river, stream, creek, lake) OR
- greater than 1 acre of land, no matter the distance to water.
Agricultural activities such as cropping and tilling are exempt. Other farm activities, such as constructing barns, are not exempt and require a permit. Waivers may be granted for projects of smaller size or duration.
Helpful Guidelines for Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Permits:
Fees. Checks should be made out to Missaukee County.
As of October 1, 2017, permit fees have changed as approved by Missaukee County Board of Commissioners.
Residential and Commercial Projects – application fee $15; permits duration 1 year plus permit fee |
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Project Priority /Fee | Inspection Frequency | Description |
High priority
$295 |
Inspection at least 1 time every 2 weeks of open permit, OR after significant rain events | Earth disturbance is over 5 acres AND has a direct connection (immediately adjacent to or point source discharge to) surface waters or adjacent property. |
Moderate Priority
$150 |
Inspection at least once per month | Earth disturbance over 5 acres with no direct connection to surface water or adjacent property OR
Site under 5 acres with direct connection to surface water or adjacent property. |
Low Priority
$125 |
Inspection at least once every 2 months | Earth disturbance under 5 acres AND no direct connection to surface water or adjacent property. |
Very Low Priority
$100 |
• inspection prior to issuance, and
• after control measures are in place based on construction schedule, and • upon confirmation of site stabilization and closure |
Earth disturbance less than 1 acre AND flat site with more than 50 feet of established buffer on sandy or light soils. |
Construction Projects at Agricultural Operations – Farms with approved conservation plans with NRCS, MEAEP or DEQ qualify for reduced rate. Farms without such status must refer to the Residential/Commercial rates; duration 1 year. Exemptions and requirements can be reviewed at the link listed above. | ||
Very Low Priority
$100 |
• inspection prior to issuance, and
• after control measures are in place based on construction schedule, and • upon confirmation of site stabilization and closure |
Farm holds the following status:
NRCS Conservation Plan, MEAEP verification, DEQ CAFO |
Utility Companies (gas, oil, cable, phone, electric lines) – application fee $125 plus permit fee; permit duration 1 year. | ||
$295 | • inspection prior to issuance, and
• upon confirmation of site stabilization and closure |
½ mile length or more. Additional fees may apply for larger projects. |
$50-$100 fees assessed for an earth change begun without a SESC permit: $50 for first offense and $100 for offenses thereafter.
Why are permits needed? Clean water is important! Sediment is considered the leading pollutant in Michigan’s waterways. Fertilizers, petrochemicals, and other pollutants easily attach to sediment particles and are carried into waterways by erosion. Sediments pollute water bodies, covering fish habitat and spawning beds.
For further information, refer to Missaukee County Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Ordinance, passed under Part 91, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act of 1994 PA 451.
HOW LARGE IS YOUR PROJECT?
Construction projects greater than 1 acre but Less than 5 acres of disturbance are subject to Permit by Rule requirements. Click here to visit DEQ’s website for requirements and obligations of Permit by Rule law. For sites disturbing one to five acres, the applicant/permittee receives automatic storm water coverage upon the applicant obtaining a Part 91 permit from Missaukee Conservation District. Although the coverage is automatic, the permittee must comply with the requirements of Permit by Rule. Permit-by Rule requires compliance with the SESC permit issued under Part 91 and also requires SESC measures to be inspected weekly and within 24 hours of a significant rain event by a certified storm water operator. The certification materials and testing are available in most DEQ Water Resources Division district office in Cadillac.Construction projects greater than 5 acres of disturbance with a point source discharge to waters of the state require a Notice of Coverage (NOC). Click here to visit DEQ’s website for NOC information, requirements and permit application. For sites disturbing five or more acres, the applicant/permittee must obtain a Part 91 permit from Missaukee Conservation District and submit an application for Notice of Coverage to the DEQ Water Resources Division in Cadillac. Along with the NOC application, the applicant/permittee must submit a copy of the SESC permit, approved SESC plan, site location map, and the $400 permit fee.
Contractors, builders, excavation and service providers hired by farms to conduct these activities can be held liable for failure to comply with Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control regulations, per Missaukee County Ordinance, and are subject to fine. Service providers – please help us inform your clients of their legal obligation to comply with Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control laws.
Guidebooks and Assistance. Need more information on tools available for your project? Call our office or refer to these online resources: