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Public comment period for maintenance dredging of Lexington Harbor navigational channel, Sanilac County

2026-07-22T08:00:00 2026-08-21T17:00:00 Public comment period for maintenance dredging of Lexington Harbor navigational channel, Sanilac County

The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is proposing to issue a water quality certification pursuant to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act to the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

USACE intends to conduct dredging operations in the federal navigation channel in Lexington Inner Harbor in Lexington, Michigan, as part of an ongoing navigational maintenance project. 

The purpose of the Certification is to ensure that the proposed dredging and open-water placement of dredge materials will comply with Michigan’s Water Quality Standards.

Written comments must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. August 21, 2026, to:

  • Icons.Email Matthew Wesener at WesenerM@Michigan.gov or
  • Icons.Edit EGLE, Water Resources Division, P.O. Box 30458, Lansing, Michigan, 48909-7958.

All comments will be provided to the USACE.

About certification under Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act

Under Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act, EGLE reviews federal permit and license applications for projects that may result in a discharge to Michigan’s waters of the United States. The purpose of the review is to determine whether EGLE can certify that the project will comply with Michigan’s water quality requirements. 

The federal agency cannot issue the permit or license unless EGLE either grants or waives water quality certification. EGLE may require special certification conditions that the federal agency must incorporate into the permit or license. The federal agency cannot issue the permit or license if EGLE denies water quality certification for the project.

Event Date

Start: July 22, 2026 8:00 AM

End: August 21, 2026 5:00 PM

The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is proposing to issue a water quality certification pursuant to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act to the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

USACE intends to conduct dredging operations in the federal navigation channel in Lexington Inner Harbor in Lexington, Michigan, as part of an ongoing navigational maintenance project. 

The purpose of the Certification is to ensure that the proposed dredging and open-water placement of dredge materials will comply with Michigan’s Water Quality Standards.

Written comments must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. August 21, 2026, to:

  • Matthew Wesener at WesenerM@Michigan.gov or
  •  EGLE, Water Resources Division, P.O. Box 30458, Lansing, Michigan, 48909-7958.

All comments will be provided to the USACE.

About certification under Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act

Under Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act, EGLE reviews federal permit and license applications for projects that may result in a discharge to Michigan’s waters of the United States. The purpose of the review is to determine whether EGLE can certify that the project will comply with Michigan’s water quality requirements. 

The federal agency cannot issue the permit or license unless EGLE either grants or waives water quality certification. EGLE may require special certification conditions that the federal agency must incorporate into the permit or license. The federal agency cannot issue the permit or license if EGLE denies water quality certification for the project.

Learn more about requirements under Section 401