The Water Resources Division (WRD), within the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), has responsibility for issuance of groundwater discharge permits under the authority of Part 31 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA), 1994 PA 451, as amended (Act 451). The purpose of these permits is to ensure that groundwater quality is maintained for all of the protected uses of groundwater pursuant to MCL 324.3109, Section 3109, Part 31, NREPA.
A. NAME OF PERMIT OR APPROVAL:
Groundwater Discharge Permit
B. STATUTORY AUTHORITY:
Part 31, Water Resources Protection, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Public Act 451 of 1994, as amended
Sections 3112 and 3109, Water Resources Protection
C. APPLICABLE REGULATION:
Part 21, Wastewater Discharge Permits (R 323.2101 - 2197)
Part 22, Groundwater Quality (R 323.2201 - 2240)
D. SUMMARY OF PERMIT/APPROVAL PROCESS:
Any discharge of waste or waste effluent into or onto the ground.
AUTHORIZATION PURSUANT TO RULE 2218:
Applicant must comply with all applicable rules, regulations, conditions, and limitations as set forth in the permit.
Anyone holding a state permit for a discharge to groundwater is required to pay an annual fee.
Group 1 discharges are described by Rule 323.2218 of the Michigan Administrative Code. The fee for facilities in this group is $3,650.00. These discharges are all individual permits.
Group 2 discharges are described by Rule 232.2210(y), 323.2215, or 323.2216 of the Michigan Administrative Code, or are municipalities with 1000 or fewer residents. The fee for facilities in this group is $1,500.00. Examples of these discharges include:
Group 3 discharges are described by R 323.2211 or 323.2213 of the Michigan Administrative Code. The fee for facilities in this group is $200.00. Examples of these discharges include:
An applicant objecting to conditions in a permit issued by EGLE may file a contested case appeal to the State Office of Administrative Rules and Hearings.
The decision maker in this process is the Supervisor of the Groundwater Permit Unit in the Water Resources Division. For issuance of complicated and individual groundwater permits, the public involvement process is a formal 30 day public comment period and consists of public notice in a local newspaper. Hearings may be scheduled depending on the amount of public input and the issues involved that are within the control of EGLE. The public input process for general permits consists of public noticing the general permits statewide every five years. Public input for permits by rule, authorizations issued under rules 2213 and 2211, was provided during the formal rule-making process.
E. ADMINISTERING AGENCY:
EGLE, Water Resources Division, Permits Section, Groundwater Unit, P.O. Box 30458, Lansing, MI 48909-7773
Revision Date: December 2019