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On September
17, 2009, the City of Mason was designated a
Municipal Enforcing Agency (MEA) by the
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
under the authority of Part 91 of the
Natural Resources and Environmental
Protection Act, 1994 PA 451. The purpose of
becoming an MEA is to provide a higher level
of service to the citizens of the City of
Mason in regard to soil erosion and
sedimentation control (SESC) and the
issuance of SESC permits. Previously SESC
permits were issued through the Ingham
County Drain Commissioner’s office. Other
benefits to adopting a local SESC ordinance
and MEA status include the following:
·
Accessibility of local officials to
developers and residents
·
Reduced fees
·
One stop
shopping for building permits and SESC
permits
MEA status
gives the City the authority to regulate and
issue soil erosion and sedimentation permits
for certain earth change activities.
Why is
erosion and sediment control important?
Sediment is
the greatest pollutant by volume impacting
our lakes, streams, and wetlands. Sediment
is the product of uncontrolled erosion.
Everyone in Michigan is affected by erosion
and off-site sedimentation. Erosion and
sedimentation result in: loss of fertile
topsoil, filling of lakes and streams,
increased flooding, damage to plant and
animal life, and structural damage to
buildings and roads.
Construction
is one of the major causes of erosion in
Michigan. Without proper planning and
management, over 100 tons of sediment per
acre per year can be generated on some
construction sites.
What
activities require a SESC permit?
A permit is
generally required for any earth change
activity conducted within the City of Mason.
Exempted activities include:
-
Agricultural land uses, grading or
excavating (6,400 square feet or less)
for structures of less than 1,000 square
feet and more than 500 feet from a lake,
stream or drainage course
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Normal
road and driveway maintenance
-
Logging
or mining activities
-
Activities involving less than 225
square feet of disturbance
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An earth
change on residential property of a
minor nature that will be stabilized
within 24 hours
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Removal
of tree stumps and brush or roots on
residential property
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Gardening
-
Post
holes for fencing, decks, utility posts,
mailboxes, or similar applications
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Seeding
or reseeding of lawns
-
Planting
trees, shrubs or similar plants
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Temporary stockpiling of soil, sand or
gravel not greater than 10 cubic yards
on property if at least 100 feet from
waters of the state
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Seawall
maintenance that does not exceed 100
square feet
Who do I
call if I have additional questions?
Questions
should be directed to the Zoning and
Development Department: David Haywood at
(517) 676-9155 or
davidh@hotmail.com.
SOIL EROSION &
SEDIMENT CONTROL APPLICATION
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