Our staff includes aquatic biologists, toxicologists, environmental engineers, environmental quality analysts, data coding operators and clerical support staff. SWAS is divided into six units which include:

AQUATIC NUISANCE CONTROL AND REMEDIAL ACTION UNIT
Richard Hobrla , Unit Chief; Contact Nancy Ayers, Secretary, (517) 241 - 7734

NONPOINT SOURCE UNIT
Robert Day, Unit Chief, Contact Nancy Ayers, Secretary, (517) 335 - 1180

UPPER PENINSULA UNIT 
Gerald Saalfeld , Unit Chief; Contact Denise Page, Secretary, (517) 373 - 2190

LAKE MICHIGAN UNIT
Brenda Sayles, Unit Chief; Contact Rosalie Mascho, Secretary, (517) 335 - 6969

LAKES ERIE AND HURON UNIT
Eric Alexander, Unit Chief; Contact Rosalie Mascho, Secretary, (517) 335 - 1180

WATER TOXICS UNIT
Dennis Bush , Unit Chief, Contact Denise Page, Secretary, (517) 373-2190

Staffed by aquatic biologists, environmental quality analysts, environmental engineers, departmental and laboratory technicians, and secretaries, the North Unit, South Unit, and Southeast Michigan Subunit are responsible for:

• developing Water Quality Based Effluent Limitations and related Special Conditions to control toxic and conventional pollutants in point source discharges through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program
• issuing or denying Section 401 Water Quality Certificates for FERC regulated hydroelectric power projects which discharge to Michigan waters
• reviewing applications and issuing or denying Rule 97 Certificates of Approval for water resource management projects (i.e. sea lamprey control treatments or fish reclamation rotenone projects)
• maintainence of the Aquatic Toxicology Laboratory and conducting acute and chronic aquatic toxicity tests on industrial and municipal effluents, contaminated venting groundwaters, ambient surface waters, and individual chemicals
• monitoring the chemical character of water and sediment, the health and condition of aquatic communities and the physical habitat of the surface waters
• coordinating and implementing the Michigan Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program
• managing water quality and fish contaminant data available for Michigan's surface waters using STORET and other computerized databases
• conducting environmental assessments and providing other technical support for Michigan's Nonpoint Source Pollution Control program
• coordinating Michigan's implementation of the Lake Superior Binational Program and assisting EPA in the development of Lakewide Management Plans for Lake Superior and Lake Michigan
• coordinating and reviewing venting groundwater mixing zone requests for Sites of Environmental Contamination
• coordinating and developing Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for selected surface waters
• reporting on Water Quality and Pollution Control in Michigan by publishing the biennial "305(b) Report"
• overseeing sediment remediation projects
• coordinating and developing aquatic life water quality values for selected pollutants in accordance with the Great Lakes Initiative (GLI) and Michigan's water quality rules
• reviewing submittals and granting approval for the discharge of water treatment additives