Expedited Application Reviews

For

Construction Permits for Sewerage Systems to Serve the Public

In accordance with Part 41, Sewerage Systems, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended, the construction of any new or alteration of an existing sewerage system to serve the public is required to receive a construction permit from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).  In accordance with a newly enacted amendment to Part 41 (Section 12), the DEQ is providing, for a fee, an expedited application review process for construction permits.   The following is a link to Section 12 of Part 41: 

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(hfpu504525fdvrraeeyleyyl))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-324-4112). 

A summary of the expedited review process is provided below, along with the address for required contacts with the DEQ. 

Expedited reviews are authorized for eligible applications submitted through September 30, 2010. 

If you have questions about the expedited application review process, please send an
e-mail to DEQ-Expedited-Permits@michigan.gov. 

Project Eligibility

Eligible projects shall be located in Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair, or Wayne County and are limited to one of following:

a)      A conventional gravity sewer extension of 10,000 feet or less of sewer line.

b)      A simple pumping station and force main.

c)      A small diameter pressure sewer and grinder pumping station.

"Simple pumping station and force main" means the installation of a duplex pumping station and a force main with only 1 high point and no more than 2,000 feet of length that is to be connected to an existing gravity collection system to provide sewer service to new areas not previously served by the public sewer system.

"Small diameter pressure sewer and grinder pumping station" means a single project that includes the installation of new pressure sewers totaling not more than 5,000 feet and not more than 25 grinder pumping stations, with each grinder pumping station serving not more than 5 separate owners, and is to be connected to an existing gravity collection system to provide sewer service to new areas not previously served by the public sewer system.

See the table under item 4 below for specific details of eligible projects and associated fees.  Please note that an expedited review will not be conducted for a project that is being funded by the state water pollution control revolving fund created in Section 16a of the Shared Credit Rating Act, 1985 PA 227, MCL 141.1066a.

Expedited Part 41 Permit Application Submittal Process

1.      Submit electronic notification of intent to request expedited review to DEQ-Expedited-Permits@michigan.gov.

• The electronic notification shall be submitted at least 10 business days prior to submission of the electronic application and fee. 
• The project title shall be included in the subject line of the e-mail and shall match the project title on the subsequent permit application form.  
• The e-mail shall clearly indicate applicant contact information including name, e-mail address, phone number, and mailing address. 

2.      Submit a completed electronic Part 41 permit application, in PDF file format, to DEQ-Expedited-Permits@michigan.gov at least 10 business days after submission of the initial notification described above. 

• The project title shall be included in the subject line of the e-mail and shall match the project title in the prior initial e-mail notification and on the permit application form.  
• The application form may be found at:

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/wb-fos-part41-App-1-30-07_188807_7.doc

• Note:  "complete application" means that a DEQ-provided application form is completed, all requested information has been provided, and the application can be processed without additional information.

3.      On the same date as the electronic Part 41 permit application (described in 2 above) is submitted, a completed paper copy of the Part 41 permit application (postmarked with the same date as the electronic application was sent) with original signature along with two complete sets of construction plans and specifications that have been prepared, signed and sealed by a State of Michigan licensed professional engineer, shall be submitted to:

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

Water Bureau - Southeast Michigan District Office

Expedited Application Review

27700 Donald Court

Warren, Michigan  48092-2793

• Please note that all construction plans and specifications that require prior local approval (i.e. county, city, etc.) shall include proof of local review and approval in the form of stamps on the plans or approval letters. 
• For non-governmental entities, the submittal shall include certification to the DEQ that all necessary contractual service agreements and financial plans are in place.

4.      On the same date of the electronic Part 41 Permit application submittal described in 2 above (i.e., the mail submittal shall be postmarked on this date also), appropriate payment of the fee shall be made, in check form, payable to the State of Michigan (credit card payment is not available at this time).  The check and a copy of the cover page of the permit application shall be submitted to:

Mail Delivery

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

Cashier's Office

WB-IC

P.O. Box 30657

Lansing, Michigan 48909-8157

Office Delivery (e.g., UPS, Fed Ex, by hand)

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

Cashier's Office

WB-IC

5^th Floor South, Constitution Hall

525 West Allegan

Lansing, Michigan 48933

The expedited review fee is based on the following fee structure:

5.      If the applicant fails to sign the Part 41 permit application, submits construction plans and specifications that have not been prepared, signed and sealed by a licensed professional engineer, or submits an insufficient fee, the DEQ will notify the applicant within 5 business days of the deficiency.  The application will not be processed until the deficient items are addressed.  If the applicant does not provide the deficient items within 5 business days after notification by the DEQ, the application will be handled as described in item 6. 

6.      If application deficiencies exist, other than those described in 5 above or if deficiencies exist as described in 5 above and are not corrected within 5 business days of notification to the applicant, the department will not conduct an expedited review and shall keep the original fee amount.  The applicant will be notified of the application deficiencies.  Upon receipt of this notification, the applicant may correct the deficiencies and resubmit the application and request expedited review based on the following:

7.      The DEQ will review and make a decision on a complete application submitted with a request for an expedited review in accordance with the following schedule: 

• For an expedited review request submitted until September 30, 2008, within 20 business days.
• For an expedited review request submitted from October 1, 2008, through
  September 30, 2009, within 15 business days.
• For an expedited review request submitted from October 1, 2009, through
  September 30, 2010, within 10 business days.

The DEQ will notify applicants electronically of decisions regarding expedited review requests.  If a permit is issued, the DEQ will send a PDF copy of the signed permit to the permittee electronically, followed with the paper copy via regular mail.