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Organizational Structure

Agency: Environmental Quality


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) 241-7734

UPPER PENINSULA UNIT 
Gerald Saalfeld , Unit Chief; Contact Denise Page, Secretary, (517) 335-6969

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

LAKES ERIE AND HURON UNIT
Eric Alexander, Unit Chief; Contact Nancy Ayers, Secretary, (517) 241-7734

WATER TOXICS UNIT
Dennis Bush
, Unit Chief, Contact Denise Page, Secretary, (517) 335-6969

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


 

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Related Content
 •  Inland Lakes in Michigan Participating in EPA National Lake Survey PDF icon
 •  Michigan Mercury Workshop Status Report PDF icon
 •  DEQ Water Quality Monitoring Reports
 •  2005 State of Michigan's Environment Third Biennial Report
 •  Lake Michigan Monitoring Coordination Council
 •  Fish Contaminant Monitoring Program
 •  Monitoring Request Form
 •  Water Quality and Pollution Control in Michigan 2008 Sections 303(d), 305(b), and 314 Integrated Report
 •  Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)
 •  Whole Effluent Toxicity Regulation In Michigan
 •  Water Treatment Additive List
 •  Mercury Permitting Strategy

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