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Why care about soil erosion? 

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Clean water is important! Sediment is considered the leading pollutant in Michigan’s waterways. Fertilizers, petrochemicals, and other pollutants easily attach to sediment particles and are carried into waterways by erosion. Did you know that soil from construction sites can be carried into our streams and lakes? One of the leading causes of soil erosion in Northern Michigan is from construction activities. For every acre under construction, about a dump truck and a half of soil washes into nearby waterways unless soil erosion and sedimentation controls are put in place. Sedimentation in our waterways, from erosion, can increase our local taxes, lower our property taxes, cause poor fishing and nuisance weed and algae growth.

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Some activities may require a special permit.

While permits are no one’s best friend, their purpose is very important: to protect our water resources. See the full law; Part 91, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act of 1994 PA 451, to learn about the regulations in place. Speak with the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) Water Division at the Cadillac Office or the Missaukee Building Department to obtain proper permitting.

 

Missaukee Building Department can be reached at 231.839.4200 or building@missaukee.org

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Agricultural activities such as cropping and tilling are exempt. Non-exempt activities include: establishing a new agricultural field (<50% income is from Ag), barn construction, construction of silage pad/leachate containment, agro-chemical handling facilities, buildings for livestock, dry feed, equipment, and/or manure pits and installation of driveways and parking areas require a permit.

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