The Water Bureau (WB), within the Michigan Department of Environmental Qualilty (MDEQ), has responsibility for receiving registrations for new large quantity water withdrawals (LQW), and annual reporting of water usage by all LQWs. The purpose of registration and reporting is to implement the principles of the Great Lakes Charter to inventory water uses and support the state's opposition to diversion of Great Lakes water.

A. NAME OF PERMIT OR APPROVAL:

Water use registration and reporting

B. STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

Part 327, Great Lakes Preservation, Natural Resources Environmental Protection Act, PA 451 of 1994, as amended

C. APPLICABLE REGULATION:

Not Applicable

D. MICHIGAN BUSINESS ONE STOP:

The Michigan Business One Stop (One Stop) www.michigan.gov/business is a tool designed to allow businesses to interact with the State of Michigan. The tool offers:

• a set of screening questions based upon your business sector to identify permits, licenses and registrations that may be required to do business in Michigan.
• an option to pay fees online. For many programs, you can pay your business license fee in One Stop through use of an online form and shopping cart.
• many online permit applications and renewals. When starting a new business and registering in One Stop, you will need to identify a business sector (also known as a NAICS Code). You can find your code at www.naics.com, select "Code Search."  After entering this code in One Stop and answering some screening questions, links to relevant permit applications will automatically be available in your newly created workspace. One benefit of accessing applications through One Stop is that you will receive status messages throughout the application process.

Using the One Stop provides many benefits to businesses in Michigan. By conducting your business through One Stop you can organize your State of Michigan transactions in one place. If you ever need assistance with One Stop, then you can contact the Customer Assistance Center at 877-766-1779; they are open from 7 am to 6 pm. One Stop is a valuable tool that offers many benefits to business. We hope you give it a try.

E. SUMMARY OF PERMIT/APPROVAL PROCESS:

 1.  Applicability (activities that require the permit)

Registration and reporting of water use is required of all property owners with the capacity to make an LQW. An LQW is defined as greater than 100,000 gallons per day, equivalent to 70 gallons per minute or more, for all cumulative withdrawals supplying a common distribution system.

Exceptions to registration and reporting requirements include: (a) Community water supplies permitted under the Safe Drinking Water Act; (b) Noncommercial wells if not used for lake augmentation and if located on property that is: (i) a single-family residence; or, (ii) a multifamily residence not exceeding 4 residential units and not more than 3 acres in size; (c) Activities authorized by MDEQ under Part 111, Part 115, Part 201, Part 213, or Part 615; (d) Activities authorized by the U.S. EPA under CERCLA or RCRA; (e) Hydroelectric facilities; (f) Withdrawals from an artificially created surface water body if its primary source of is a registered water withdrawal.

 2.  Pre-Application Requirements

Registration is required prior to beginning a new LQW. Annual water usage reporting is required on an ongoing basis.

 3.  Application Submission Requirements

Registration on a form provided by MDEQ and shall include the determination from the use of the Water Withdrawal Assessment Tool, or site-specific review by MDEQ, if applicable:

Annual reporting forms are also provided by MDEQ and require the following elements. (a) The amount and rate of water withdrawn on an annual and monthly basis. (b) The source or sources of water supply. (c) The use or uses of the water withdrawn. (d) The amount of consumptive use of water withdrawn. (e) The location of the withdrawal point.

 4.  Procedures and Time-Frame for Obtaining Permit or Approval

Once registered, annual reporting forms are mailed by MDEQ in February and are due back by April 1 each year for the previous year's water use.

 5.  Operational Requirements

Water use reporting is required each year the facility is in operation.

 6.  Fees

$200.00 annual fee is required of all registrants provided that the water use is not for an agricultural purpose, and total water usage for the calendar year is greater than 1,500,000 gallons.

 7.  Appeal Process

Not applicable

 8.  Public Input Opportunities

Water withdrawal reports, data and graphics are available on the program website for public review.

E. ADMINISTERING AGENCY:

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Water Bureau, P.O. Box 30273, Lansing, Michigan 48909-7773

• Program Phone: 517-241-1435

• Program Webpage: www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3313_3684_45331---,00.html

• Environmental Assistance Center: 1-800-662-9278, e-mail: deq-ead-env-assist@michigan.gov

Creation/Revision Date:

October 2010