The following is a summary of the regulatory context for stormwater management in Houghton County.

1. Michigan Construction Stormwater Program

The construction program varies with size of land altered. For sites that involve one to five acres, the construction group must follow the Permit-By-Rule, but are not required to submit a Notice of Coverage (NOC) or a fee. The Permit-By-Rule acknowledges the discharge of runoff into stormwater.

Sites over five acres, with point source discharge to surface water must submit Notice of Coverage (NOC) permit but prior to submitting a NOC, a Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control (SESC) must be obtained for local agency. Then a Permit-By-Rule is obtained after a NOC, $400 permit fee, and required maps are submitted. The site must be inspected once a week by a certified stormwater operator and 24 hours after any rain event.    (Source: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality)

2.  Michigan Industrial Stormwater Program

As a result of federal regulations governing storm water, the State of Michigan issues permits for industrial facilities. This permit requires the facility to obtain a certified operator to have supervision and control over the control structures, eliminate any unauthorized non storm water discharges, and develop and implement a storm water pollution prevention plan for their facility.

The Upper Peninsula does not have Municipal storm water guidelines; this is for communities with a population greater than 100,000.

Developing the Huron Creek Watershed Management Plan