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Critical Dune Areas Program

Oceana county barrier dune
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Critical Dune Areas Program

The Great Lake coastlines have extensive coastal dunes on Lakes Michigan and Superior. In the 1980’s it became apparent that development pressures had potential to impact the future of Michigan’s dunes as they became increasingly popular sites for recreation and residential development. In 1989, approximately 74,000 acres of dunes along 265 miles of coastline were identified as needing protection from developmental pressures and designated as Critical Dunes. 

These Critical Dune Areas represent a diverse cross-section of dune shapes, height, and vegetation along Lake Michigan’s shoreline in the lower and upper peninsulas, and the shore of Lake Superior. 

The Critical Dune Areas (CDAs) include public lands and private properties where developmental, silvicultural, and recreational activities are regulated and a permit is required under Part 353, Sand Dunes Protection and Management, of the NREPA. The law balances the benefits of protecting, preserving, restoring and enhancing the diversity, quality, functions, and value of the critical dunes with the benefits of economic development, multiple uses, and public access.

 

Information on the 2026 Delineation of Critical Dunes

In the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget, the Michigan Legislature required that EGLE conduct a delineation of sand dunes in the state and assess critical dune areas.  From 2024-2026, EGLE worked with a team of contractors to complete this requirement.  Below are the resulting report and appendices for the 2026 Delineation of Critical Dunes.

Report on the Delineation of Michigan's Critical Dune Areas

Appendix A: 1986 Report on a Natural Features Inventory of Michigan's Designated Sand Dune Areas

Appendix B: Valuing Michigan’s Coastal Dunes

Appendix C: Spatial Data to Improve Coastal Resiliency and Better Inform Local Decision Making

Appendix D: Exemplary Plant Communities Included in the 1989 Atlas

Appendix E: Mapped Dune Complex Summary

Appendix F: 2026 Proposed Atlas of Critical Dune Areas

 

 

Where are Critical Dunes located?

The boundaries of regulated dunes and adjacent lands, commonly called critical dune areas or CDAs, were drawn on the maps of 19 lakeshore counties and their townships.

The CDAs are a combination of coastal barrier dunes, land that has dune-like features, and unique plant communities. Regulatory authority goes to the water’s edge. A permit is required for a regulated use in a CDA.

Determine if your property is in a Critical Dune Area
Counties with Critical Dune Areas

Begin the permit process

What requires a permit?

A permit is required for activities that significantly alter the CDA.  Examples of activities where permit applications are typically required are the construction of a house or garage, building a road or driveway, installing a septic system, installing retaining walls, and sand removal to name a few. View the list of common activities needing a permit. The application for a permit requires a fee of between $150 and $6000. The fee is added to all other application fees.

There are some activities which do not require a permit when specific criteria are met. Stairways are a common project that does not need a permit when the project meets the following requirements: elevated above grade, no wider than five feet including the entry and exit platforms, no roof or walls, constructed without wheeled or tracked self-propelled tools, and vegetation impacts are limited to the stairway footprint. Projects which do not meet these criteria will require an application for a permit be submitted to EGLE. 

Local units of government may choose to administer Part 353 through their local zoning ordinance. Currently EGLE administers Part 353 in all CDAs except for those in Pere Marquette Township in Mason County and Peaine and St. James Townships on Beaver Island. If you live in one of these communities, you should contact your local zoning administrator for permit information.

Report

Apply for a permit

A property owner may choose to meet with their local EGLE staff person during a pre-application meeting to discuss their proposed project.  This is an optional service available to the property owner prior to their completing and submitting a permit application.

Applications for pre-application meetings and individual permits are submitted through MiEnviro Portal. Additional information about the application process is available at EGLE/USACE Joint Permit Application. Once a permit application is received, EGLE staff review the application and visit the project site to assess the proposed impacts to the CDA. The status of all permit applications may be tracked at MiEnviro Portal. A valid permit may be transferred to a new property owner with the written permission of the current permittee. A request to transfer a permit is submitted in MiEnviro Portal.

Every application must include a completed online form, property owner authorization, property location, a permit from the local health department if proposing a new or replacement septic system, a soil erosion and sedimentation control permit or waiver from the local soil erosion and sedimentation control permitting agency, and a vegetation assurance. The proposed impact must be identified and quantified, and a site plan and cross-section submitted.

Submit your permit application in MiEnviro Portal
Add Task

Application process

Some projects may require additional information for EGLE review. EGLE staff will communicate with you when the information is needed. Projects that are unable to meet the standard application review criteria of Part 353 must apply for a special exception. When necessary, EGLE may require an applicant to obtain a surety bond to ensure compliance with the permit.

Submitted applications for permit enter a 30-day administrative completeness period. During that time your application is reviewed to ensure the required information for a complete application has been submitted in MiEnviro Portal. If the application is not complete EGLE staff will put your application on hold and request the information from you. Once the application is complete the processing period begins. EGLE has 60 days to process your permit application. Projects requiring a public hearing have a 90 day processing period.

Event Schedule

  • How EGLE measures slopes of dunes

    Learn how Michigan’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) measures the slopes of sand dunes in Critical Dune Areas. This step-by-step overview shows the tools, methods, and safety practices used to ensure shoreline development follows Michigan’s environmental protection standards.

Additional information for your permit application

a critical dune area in Allegan County Michigan
a critical dune area in Allegan County Michigan

Shifting Sands: Michigan's Critical Sand Dune Areas Story Map

Learn more about the regulation, diversity, quality, and functions of the largest freshwater dune system in the world on the Critical Dune Areas Story Map. Permit applicants can find information and resources on designing projects that preserve and enhance the critical dune area. 

Open the Critical Dunes Areas Story Map

Contact Us

For information on specific projects contact: District Permit Staff

You can use this link to share this page: Michigan.gov/CriticalDunes.

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