A complete list of all programs within the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
Community involvement and public participation are an essential part of EGLE’s mission, vision, and values.
Resources and information on utilizing RRD's data exchange and the Inventory of Facilities.
An interactive map displaying contaminated sites throughout Michigan regulated under Parts 213, 201, and 211.
EGLE's interactive calendar is designed to provide timely information on decisions before the Director, proposed settlements of contested cases, administrative rules promulgation, public hearings, meetings and comment deadlines, and environmental conferences, workshops and training programs.
The Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides all persons (except persons incarcerated in correctional facilities) with access to public records of public bodies. Requests to inspect or receive public records from EGLE must be in writing and describe the requested records with enough detail to enable the department to identify and locate the requested records. Some records are exempt from disclosure under the FOIA or another statute and thus will not be provided. A fee may be charged to process your request. Please note that many records are available that do not require a formal FOIA request.
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State Regulations
In 1979, the Michigan legislature passed the Geomare-Anderson Wetlands Protection Act, 1979 PA 203, which is now Part 303, Wetlands Protection, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended (NREPA). EGLE has adopted administrative rules which provide clarification and guidance on interpreting Part 303. Some wetlands in coastal areas (called Environmental Areas) are given further protection under Part 323, Shorelands Protection and Management, of the NREPA.
The law requires that persons planning to conduct certain activities in regulated wetlands apply for and receive a permit from the state before beginning the activity. A permit is required from the state for the following:
EGLE must determine the following before a permit can be issued:
For more information on permit application review and the criteria for determining public interest, please refer to Section 30311 of Part 303.
Part 303, Wetlands Protection, of the NREPA
Part 303, Wetlands Protection, Rules
Wetland Mitigation Watersheds Figure
Part 323, Shorelands Protection and Management, of the NREPA
Federal Regulations
In 1984, Michigan received authorization from the federal government to administer Section 404 of the federal Clean Water Act in most areas of the state. A state administered 404 program must be consistent with the requirements of the federal Clean Water Act and associated regulations set forth in the Section 404(b)(1) guidelines. In other states an applicant must apply to the U.S. Corps of Engineers (USACE) and a state agency for wetland, lakes, and streams permits; whereas applicants in Michigan generally submit only one wetland permit application to EGLE and receives federal and state authorization with a wetland permit.
Federal oversight of state-administered 404 programs is primarily the responsibility of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The department's 1983 Memorandum of Agreement (as amended) with USEPA Region 5 outlines the procedures to be followed in program administration. This agreement waives federal review of the vast majority of applications in areas under Michigan's 404 jurisdiction. However, federal agencies must review projects which impact critical environmental areas, or which involve major discharges. These projects are identified in the Memorandum of Agreement as. and include:
These above projects are called Red Files and require concurrent review by federal partners such as USACE and USFWS. These files may result in additional permit processing time depending on the complexity of the project. At the present time, USEPA reviews about one percent of all applications received. If EGLE determines that an application under Michigan's 404 program is subject to federal review, copies of the public notice are sent to USEPA Region 5, Detroit District Corps, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The USEPA is responsible for compiling all federal comments and submitting comments on the federal position to EGLE. These files do not require additional fees beyond those defined by EGLE. These types of projects do not include those also requiring authorization by the US Army Corps of Engineers under Section 10 of the Clean Water Act, which do contain additional fees and requirements as set forth by that agency. These projects utilize the same joint permit application but require separate review processes by the state and federal government resulting in separate permit authorizations.
EGLE may not issue a permit which carries Section 404 authority if the USEPA objects to the project. This is true even if the applicant successfully appeals the state's denial of a permit at the administrative level or through a state court. Section 404 provides for a reversion to Corps processing if a state and the EPA reach an impasse on a project (that is, if the state is prepared to issue a permit, but USEPA continues to object)
