Wetland/Environmental Assistance Program
For landowners needing assistance in identifying if wetlands/aquatic resources exist on their property before a project begins and/or assistance prior to submitting a permit application to the MDEQ/MDNR for a specific project, the Delta Conservation District recommends the following:
The Wetland Identification Program (WIP), was established by the State of Michigan in 1998 to assist the public in identifying wetland and non-wetland (i.e., upland) areas on their property. This program provides applicants with a jurisdictional guarantee of wetlands and wetland boundaries within an identified area of land, following the 1987 United States Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual and associated supplements. Wetland delineations require on-site analysis of vegetation, soils, and hydrology during the growing season, so WIP assessments are conducted typically within the period from mid-April through early November when site conditions allow for accuracy. Applications are accepted year-round, but any WIP service application may be held over-winter until onset of the spring growing season.
EGLE’s Water Resources Division (WRD) has options to assist landowners in making a determination of aquatic resources on their property or those that may be affected by a proposed project. The WRD has two programs to assist land owners or developers with the regulatory process.
Locally, the district offices (Marquette) offers a preapplication meeting where the department will review a property and a proposed project to provide a regulatory determination on if wetlands, lakes and streams, regulated floodplains, Great Lakes, Critical Dunes or high risk erosion permits may be necessary for a proposed project. Information about this program can be found on our webpage at: Pre-application Meeting - Wetlands and Inland Lakes and Streams (michigan.gov)
Further, if a project is being applied for or if a property owner would like their wetlands delineated, the WRD runs a wetland delineation program called the Wetland Identification Program (WIP). More information about that program can be found here: Wetland Identification Program (michigan.gov)
One note of importance is that these programs provide the requestor a regulatory determination in writing that is binding on the department for a given period of time. These programs also create a file entry for a parcel that is transferrable.
For further questions regarding these programs, landowners can call their local WRD staff member. Simply click on the staff directory link here to find the up-to-date phone number: Land/Water Interface Permitting Staff Map (michigan.gov)
You may also call the Delta Conservation District office 906-553-7700 for information.
EGLE’s Water Resources Division (WRD) has options to assist landowners in making a determination of aquatic resources on their property or those that may be affected by a proposed project. The WRD has two programs to assist land owners or developers with the regulatory process.
Locally, the district offices (Marquette) offers a preapplication meeting where the department will review a property and a proposed project to provide a regulatory determination on if wetlands, lakes and streams, regulated floodplains, Great Lakes, Critical Dunes or high risk erosion permits may be necessary for a proposed project. Information about this program can be found on our webpage at: Pre-application Meeting - Wetlands and Inland Lakes and Streams (michigan.gov)
Further, if a project is being applied for or if a property owner would like their wetlands delineated, the WRD runs a wetland delineation program called the Wetland Identification Program (WIP). More information about that program can be found here: Wetland Identification Program (michigan.gov)
One note of importance is that these programs provide the requestor a regulatory determination in writing that is binding on the department for a given period of time. These programs also create a file entry for a parcel that is transferrable.
For further questions regarding these programs, landowners can call their local WRD staff member. Simply click on the staff directory link here to find the up-to-date phone number: Land/Water Interface Permitting Staff Map (michigan.gov)
You may also call the Delta Conservation District office 906-553-7700 for information.