Watershed Management

A watershed is any area of land that captures rainwater and eventually carries it to the nearest lake, river or stream. Michigan has numerous watersheds, with subwatersheds, blanketing the state. Working with local watershed groups and member governments, SEMCOG provides technical assistance on watershed management issues and regulatory requirements within their jurisdictions.  

Watershed Management Plans serve as guides for communities to protect and improve the water quality; these plans consider all uses, pollutant sources, and impacts within a drainage area.  More than 150 Watershed Management Plans exist at the local level across the state utilizing MDEQ grants from the Nonpoint Source grant program.  A Watershed Management Plan is required for communities using Michigan’s unique watershed-based Phase II permit. The plan must include:

• An assessment of the nature and status of the watershed ecosystem,
• goals that protect the watershed,
• actions needed to achieve these goals, and
• a realistic assessment of the benefits of those actions.

MDEQ Guidance on Watershed Plans 
MDEQ has developed a guidance document for creating Watershed Management Plans that consider all uses, pollutant sources, and impacts within a drainage area.

Watershed Planning Organizations 
Numerous watershed-planning organizations facilitate collaboration of local units of government and organizations on watershed issues and activities in Southeast Michigan.  

Lake St. Clair Watershed Planning 
Local government officials in Macomb and St. Clair Counties formed the Macomb/St. Clair Inter-County Watershed Management Advisory Group in 2000 to focus watershed planning on Lake St. Clair. The Inter-County Group serves as a catalyst to identify issues and develop projects that cross the jurisdictional boundaries of the counties within the Lake St. Clair watershed. 

Phragmites Management 
Many communities, and homeowners, are faced with the difficult task of dealing with phragmites. This aquatic invasive plant is taking over local native habitat and threatening our water resources. SEMCOG is actively involved in phragmites activites with the Lake St. Clair Management Plan, however there are several resources available to assist you in identifying phragmites problems in your area and choosing appropriate management techiniques. The MDEQ website has several resources and workshops published, as well as a technical manual for land managers.