Spring is when Michigan construction schedules speed up, but it is also when stormwater compliance problems show up fast. Snowmelt, saturated soils, and early rain events can turn a well-planned jobsite into muddy access roads, clogged inlets, and sediment leaving the property. That is the moment inspections get tense, neighbors get frustrated, and timelines start slipping.
This guide is built for owners, facility managers, and project teams who want to start spring construction the right way. We will cover the basics of Michigan stormwater compliance, erosion control, inspections, documentation, and how to clarify responsibility when multiple trades are working on the same site.
(Quick note: This is educational content, not legal advice. Always confirm project-specific requirements with your local enforcing agency and the State of Michigan.)
What “Michigan stormwater compliance” means on a construction site
On most construction sites, the biggest stormwater concern is sediment. When disturbed soil washes off the site, it can impact roads, storm drains, nearby properties, and Michigan waterways. Compliance is about preventing that sediment movement through:
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Planning: a soil erosion and sedimentation control plan (often called an SESC plan) and jobsite phasing
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Installation: erosion and sediment control best management practices (BMPs)
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Maintenance: fixing, cleaning, and replacing controls before they fail
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Documentation: inspection logs, corrective actions, and records kept current
The best approach is simple: assume spring weather will stress your controls and build a plan that holds up anyway.
Permits and thresholds in Michigan
Michigan’s construction stormwater program connects local soil erosion permits with state stormwater coverage.
When a permit is generally required
Michigan’s Part 91 (Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control) framework generally requires a permit for an earth change that disturbs one or more acres, or that is within 500 feet of a lake or stream.
Who issues the Part 91 permit
Each county has a County Enforcing Agency (CEA) responsible for reviewing SESC plans, issuing permits, and enforcing Part 91.
Construction stormwater coverage: 1–5 acres vs. 5+ acres
EGLE explains that construction sites disturbing one or more acres and discharging to waters of the state need NPDES stormwater coverage. Michigan uses a “permit-by-rule” process tied to Part 91 coverage.
Key distinctions:
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Sites disturbing 1 to 5 acres: coverage is generally automatic once a Part 91 permit is obtained (or the project is handled as an Authorized Public Agency), but you still must comply with permit-by-rule requirements.
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Sites disturbing 5 or more acres: the permittee must obtain Part 91 coverage and submit a Notice of Coverage (NOC) application to EGLE, along with required documents and fees, and still comply with permit-by-rule requirements.
If you are an owner preparing for spring, winter is the time to confirm which bucket your project falls into, and to avoid last-minute surprises.
Erosion control basics that actually matter in spring
Many erosion controls look fine on installation day, then fail the first time water moves across the site. Spring conditions make this more likely because you get runoff before vegetation is established.
Here are BMP categories that typically make the biggest difference early in the season:
1) Stabilized construction entrances
If the entrance is not stable, you track sediment onto public roads. That can become a safety issue and a community complaint quickly. Plan the entrance location, stone section, and maintenance schedule before heavy deliveries begin.
2) Perimeter controls and sediment containment
Silt fence and similar measures are common, but they need correct placement and maintenance. The goal is to slow water and capture sediment, not to act like a dam.
3) Inlet protection
As soon as storm structures are active, protecting inlets becomes critical. Spring rain will carry sediment straight into storm systems if inlets are unprotected or clogged.
4) Stockpile protection and temporary stabilization
Stockpiles and exposed slopes are often the first places erosion begins. If you are not ready for final stabilization, temporary stabilization (mulch, blanket, temporary seeding, etc.) can be the difference between a controlled site and a cleanup project.
5) Dewatering planning
If the project includes excavation, utilities, or wet trench work, plan how water will be managed. Dewatering can trigger additional requirements depending on how and where water is discharged, so it is worth addressing early with the team.
Inspections: where compliance becomes real
In Michigan, inspections are not optional admin work. They are part of the permit-by-rule expectations.
For sites disturbing at least 1 acre (and under 5 acres), EGLE notes that a certified stormwater operator is required to inspect the site weekly and within 24 hours of a rain event resulting in a discharge of stormwater from the site.
EGLE’s construction stormwater overview similarly describes weekly inspections and inspections within 24 hours of a significant rain event by a certified stormwater operator, tied to permit-by-rule requirements.
Owner takeaway: If you wait until the job starts to “figure out inspections,” you will be scrambling. Before spring mobilization, confirm:
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Who is the certified stormwater operator
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How inspections will be scheduled and documented
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How corrective actions will be assigned and verified
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How quickly controls can be repaired after rain events
Documentation: what to have ready before the first shovel hits
Documentation is one of the most common weak points, especially on mixed-trade sites where “someone else” is assumed to be handling it.
Before spring construction, make sure your project has:
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The approved SESC plan and permit documentation (Part 91 coverage)
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A clear map of BMP locations and phasing (what gets installed first, what comes later)
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Inspection logs (and a consistent place to store them)
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A corrective action process: what gets fixed, by who, and by when
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A photo routine: it is hard to prove compliance without visual records
This is also where owners can protect themselves. If the project is inspected, you want a clean story: planned controls, installed controls, inspected controls, maintained controls.
Who is responsible on mixed-trade sites?
On many commercial projects, excavation, utilities, concrete, paving, and landscaping overlap. Stormwater compliance can break down in the handoffs.
A simple rule that prevents headaches: the permittee is ultimately accountable, even if tasks are delegated across contractors. EGLE’s program overview consistently refers to the “applicant/permittee” receiving coverage and being required to comply.
To reduce risk, clarify responsibility in writing before work starts:
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Who installs initial BMPs (often the excavation or site contractor)
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Who maintains BMPs when other trades disturb the area
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Who replaces damaged controls and how fast
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Who cleans streets, entrances, and inlets if tracking occurs
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Who owns inlet protection as utilities and storm sewer installation progress
This is where coordination with experienced sitework partners helps. If storm sewer installation, grading, and commercial drainage systems are being built while multiple crews are on-site, you want one coordinated plan, not five separate assumptions.
A practical pre-spring checklist for owners
If you want a simple way to be ready for spring, work through this list:
Identify your local Part 91 permitting agency (County Enforcing Agency).
Confirm whether Part 91 permitting applies (1+ acre disturbed or within 500 feet of a lake/stream is a common trigger).
Confirm the stormwater coverage path (1–5 acres permit-by-rule coverage tied to Part 91, 5+ acres includes the NOC submission).
Finalize the erosion control plan and phasing before mobilization
Line up a certified stormwater operator and set inspection routines.
Hold a preconstruction compliance huddle with the GC, excavation contractor, and utilities team
Stage materials early so controls can be installed before heavy activity begins
Set expectations for maintenance after rain events and during high-traffic weeks
Start spring clean, and stay that way
Stormwater compliance is one of those areas where the work you do before spring pays off all season. Owners who plan early tend to see fewer delays, fewer rework issues, and fewer avoidable conflicts between trades.
If you are preparing a Michigan project that includes excavation, site utilities, storm sewer installation, or commercial drainage systems, Verdeterre can help align preconstruction planning with a practical erosion control and inspection strategy so your jobsite starts spring on solid ground.