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Stormwater management

Charlotte River in Chippewa County
Department of Transportation

Stormwater management

MDOT maintains over 10,000 miles of roads and their associated drainage systems. While this transportation network supports extensive commerce and travel, it also accumulates contaminants from vehicles, road construction, maintenance and adjacent contributing drainage areas.

Contact

Chris Potvin, P.E.
Stormwater Program manager
MDOT-Stormwater@Michigan.gov
517-256-6868

A National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued by Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) in April of 2004, authorizes MDOT to operate storm sewer systems throughout the state by utilizing six minimum control measures, which include:

  • Public Education Program (PEP); 
  • Public involvement/participation;
  • Illicit Discharge Elimination Program (IDEP);
  • Post construction stormwater management program for new development and redevelopment projects;
  • Construction stormwater runoff control; and
  • Pollution prevention/good housekeeping for MDOT operations.

To comply with the permit, MDOT developed a Stormwater Management Plan (SMP). The SMP is designed to enhance the way MDOT does business so that stormwater pollution is reduced or eliminated. Solutions in the SMP are as simple as good housekeeping, or as complex as building new facilities to manage stormwater.