Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control (SESC) Permit
To apply for a Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control (SESC) permit, submit a completed application, a detailed site-specific erosion control plan, and required fees to your local county drain commissioner,2 or municipal enforcement agency. Permits are generally required for earth changes that disturb more than one acre or are within 500 feet of a lake or stream.
Steps to Apply for an SESC Permit:
Identify the Permitting Agency: Contact your local municipality or county drain commissioner's office to find the specific agency handling your area (e.g., in Michigan, it is often the County Drain Commissioner or Water Resource Division).
Prepare the Plan: Create an SESC plan that includes a site map, existing/proposed contours, soil types, and specific erosion control measures like silt fences, sediment basins, and vegetated buffer strips.
Submit Application: Fill out the required application forms, which must be signed by the property owner. Submit the application, plan, and application fees (e.g., ranging from $200-$275+ depending on project size in some areas).
Review and Approval: The agency will review the plan for compliance with local ordinances and state regulations (e.g., Part 91 in Michigan).
Inspection: Once approved, the project will be subject to inspections before, during, and after construction to ensure proper maintenance of control measures.
For commercial projects, it is often required to have plans reviewed by an inspector prior to final application submission.
This blog is written using information obtained by the state of Michigan EGLE, Livingston County and Oakland County WRC websites. Processes in other areas may vary.
Lori Guinard is the Director of Operations at Maj’s Services Inc. in Brighton, MI, a position she has held since December 2015. Her professional experience includes over two decades of work in operations, project management, and administration, primarily in Michigan. Lori is also a certified Storm Water Management Operator.