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Public comment period for seawall installation on White Lake, Muskegon County

2026-07-23T00:00:00 2026-08-12T17:00:00 Public comment period for seawall installation on White Lake, Muskegon County

The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has received a water quality certification request pursuant to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act for installation of a steel sheet pile seawall on the White Lake shoreline at 6360 Indian Point Road, White River Township, Muskegon County. The seawall will be placed along 78 feet of shoreline and backfilled with approximately 52 cubic yards of material.

The seawall requires a Department of the Army permit from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Detroit District. EGLE is reviewing the activity to determine compliance with Michigan’s water quality requirements.

Written comments must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. August 12, 2026, to:

  • Icons.Email Matt Smar at SmarM@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 23, 2026 12:00 AM

End: August 12, 2026 5:00 PM

The Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has received a water quality certification request pursuant to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act for installation of a steel sheet pile seawall on the White Lake shoreline at 6360 Indian Point Road, White River Township, Muskegon County. The seawall will be placed along 78 feet of shoreline and backfilled with approximately 52 cubic yards of material.

The seawall requires a Department of the Army permit from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Detroit District. EGLE is reviewing the activity to determine compliance with Michigan’s water quality requirements.

Written comments must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. August 12, 2026, to:

  • Matt Smar at SmarM@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