Soil erosion and sedimentation control

Sediment is one of the largest pollutants in our rivers, lakes and streams. In order to combat the impact sediment can have on our waterways, our Soil Erosion Department is tasked with administering The Michigan Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Act Part 91 and the Macomb County Soil Erosion Ordinance. These laws protect our water resources from sediment generated from construction sites.

In any given year Public Works reviews over 1,500 projects and issue approximately 1,400 soil erosion permits for projects. The types of construction projects vary from swimming pools and new homes to shopping malls and churches.  We monitor these construction projects to ensure that they are using the proper “Best Management Practices” to effectively reduce sediment from leaving the site. Our goal is to keep our waters clean for drinking water and for recreation while supporting the economic activities that help sustain our communities.

• SESC pocket guide   
• SESC permitting agencies    
• SESC ordinance

All permit applications must be fully completed and include the following information:

• Single family residential projects require a PDF of the project plot plan
• All other projects must submit a PDF of the civil engineering plans
• Minor projects must submit a drawing that includes all of the plan requirements listed on the checklist below
• Plans must be sealed by an engineer
• Permit applications are available on the soil erosion webpage under the "forms" tab

Plan review checklist

• SESC permit application
• SESC transfer permit
• SESC permit fees