We present this webinar series dedicated to helping Michigan's local officials and community leaders gain a better understanding of EGLE and the environmental regulations that affect their communities.
Each month, EGLE will host a 1-hour webinar that will tackle a topic of interest to local officials and community leaders throughout the state. Each webinar will include a presentation by EGLE staff and time for questions from attendees.
(scroll down to view recordings of past webinars in the series)
June 17, 2025, 10:00 - 11:00 AM
Dust complaints are one of the most frequently received complaints EGLE air pollution investigators receive. There are state regulations that deal with particulates or dust, but what should you do if you experience particulates and dust fallout in your community? Are there local ordinances to address the problem? Join us to answer these questions and learn when to ask your district air pollution investigators for help.
July 29, 2025, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Contaminated properties exist in almost every community. Maybe it’s an old gas station, a dry cleaner, or an abandoned factory. In this webinar, you’ll learn what EGLE does to keep the public safe and what can be done to get contaminated sites ready for redevelopment. Staff from EGLE’s Remediation and Redevelopment Division will explain liability, due care, and how to tap into brownfield redevelopment funding.
More details and registration link coming soon! (August)
September 9, 2025, 10:00 - 11:00 AM
Burning regulations can be confusing! Local officials around the state often deal with questions and complaints from residents related to fire pits, leaf and trash burning, and outdoor wood-fired boilers. EGLE has multiple regulations dealing with what can and cannot be burned, as well as who can and cannot burn. Additionally, there are several state agencies who work together to handle burning complaints, but these agencies do not handle enforcement of all burning rules. For instance, outdoor wood burners and residential trash burning issues are handled by the local municipality.
More details and registration link coming soon! (October)
November 18, 2025, 10:00 - 11:00 AM
Michigan's wetlands law recognizes the important benefits provided by wetlands and their vital role in recreation, tourism, and the economy. Residents who plan to construct in a wetland or alter a wetland should be aware of the restrictions and permit requirements associated with those activities BEFORE they begin. It’s important that local leaders are familiar with these regulations as these are common questions that come up in community forums, board and planning meetings, and one-on-one conversations with residents. This webinar will provide an overview of resources available to identify wetlands in your community and discuss the requirements associated with construction/modifications in a wetland.
December 17, 2025, 10:00 - 11:00 AM
Marijuana is known to have impacts on the environment including odors, water discharges, land use, and waste. All of these challenges can cause concerns and complaints from residents in your community. During this webinar, learn how your governing agency can manage recreational marihuana impacts in your community.
Recordings are 1 hour long, unless otherwise noted.
May 21, 2025, 10:00 - 11:00 AM
More than 1.3 million homes and businesses in Michigan depend on septic systems to treat wastewater. If not maintained, failing septic systems can contaminate groundwater and harm the environment by releasing bacteria, viruses, and household toxics to local waterways.
This informative session will cover septic system operation and maintenance practices and steps to take if you have a septic system problem. This session will also include an update on the Michigan Septic Loan Replacement Program.
Recorded April 29, 2025
Michigan is blessed with an abundance of inland lakes; however, lakes present unique challenges and issues to residents who reside near them. Accessing the water, shoreline protection, and creating an healthy lake environment often come up as issues to be addressed. Several types of projects and activities in and around lakes and streams are regulated by EGLE. Learn what types of construction-based projects may require a permit.
Recorded April 15, 2025, 1.5 hours
Is there a waterbody that runs through, or near your community? In Michigan, more than 1,000 communities participate in the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and an even greater number have unmapped flood zones, yet every waterbody has the potential to flood. This webinar is an opportunity to learn about floodplain management, the flood provisions in Michigan Building Codes, and EGLE's Floodplain Authority found in state regulations. We will discuss what a floodplain is, what activities require a permit, floodplain development administrative responsibilities, and reviewing an Elevation Certificate. This course is designed for anyone involved in development within your community such as supervisors, clerks, building officials and inspectors, engineers, and surveyors.
Recorded March 18, 2025
Odor complaints are one of the most frequently received complaints EGLE air pollution investigators receive. There are state regulations that deal with nuisance odors, but what should you do if you experience odors in your community? Are there local ordinances to address the problem? How does local zoning come into play? Join us to answer these questions and learn when to ask your district air pollution investigators for help.
Recorded February 26, 2025
Local officials wear a lot of hats and may not be familiar with the many environmental regulations that affect businesses and residents in their community. EGLE regulates sources of air pollution, waste handling, wastewater and storm water discharges, water resources, and more.
To ensure human health and the environment is protected, EGLE inspection staff regularly visit businesses to ensure they are meeting the environmental regulations that apply to their operations.
In this webinar, we will provide a broad overview of what EGLE does and resources that are available to local leaders to help them work with EGLE to protect the people and environment in their community.
Recorded January 30, 2024
Did you know an estimated 6% of Michigan's land is flood-prone, including about 200,000 buildings? The damage that results from a flood is dependent on what type of development has occurred in and near an area that is flood-prone.
In this webinar learn how federal, state and local agencies and floodplain regulatory codes work together and complement each other to minimize flood losses and prevent future ones. We will focus on Substantial Damage/Improvement/Repairs as defined in the Michigan Building Codes and ways in which this is determined and documented. We will also brainstorm ideas in moving forward to retrofit an existing structure and minimize future disaster losses. Additionally, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has conducted new coastal analyses and mapping studies and updated Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs) for many counties along the Great Lakes. Learn how to interpret the different flood zones and apply the applicable sections of the Michigan Building Codes.
Course designed for: Building Officials, Planning and Zoning Officials, County Health Departments, Water Resources Commissioner’s and staff, and anyone else involved in floodplain management and development.
Advised to have a basic understanding of floodplain management regulations, or to watch Floodplains 101: What you need to know about the floodplains in your community.
Jim Ostrowski, Outreach Section Manager, at OstrowskiJ2@Michigan.gov or at 517-285-2184.
Please reach out with questions about the webinar content and/or recommendations for additional topics!
