Stormwater-Related Member Services
For more information on these services, please contact Amy Mangus at 313-324-3350 or mangus@semcog.org.

Phase II Permit Stormwater Assistance
Fleet Maintenance/Storage Yards: Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan Development
Need a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) for your facility? SEMCOG will develop it for you to help you meet the good housekeeping requirements of the permit. This plan is required for each fleet/storage/DPW area in the permitted area.

Audit Assistance, Individual Meetings, TMDL, and SWPPI Review
SEMCOG can assist members individually regarding the permit. This could include meeting with communities to explain the permit requirements and SEMCOG services, being present when the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (MDNRE) audits the community’s program, or reviewing materials prior to submittal. In addition, SEMCOG can assist member communities in identifying and prioritizing actions to meet the TMDL requirements in the permit.

Ours to Protect Web Site
The Ours to Protect Web site is used by our members to assist in educating the public on the public education component of the permit. SEMCOG will update the Web site as appropriate.

Stormwater Ordinance Assistance
SEMCOG can review stormwater ordinances developed as part of the permit.

Analysis to Assist in Roads Suspended Solids Requirement
SEMCOG will review the possibility of providing the analysis to meet the total suspended solids requirement under the Phase II permit.

Record Keeping        
SEMCOG will provide an annual summary of the activities undertaken to assist in meeting the Phase II permit requirement which will be used by communities in developing their required progress reports.

Other Stormwater Services

Stormwater Green Infrastructure Review, Analysis, and Assistance
Are you interested in implementing green infrastructure on municipally-owned properties? Are you interested in updating local plans and ordinances to encourage/require various levels of green infrastructure in new or redevelopments? SEMCOG can provide the following services related to these topics:

• Review plans and ordinances and provide comments/suggestions on updates to reflect water resource protection goals. 
• Inspect municipally-owned properties for implementation of green infrastructure opportunities.
• Review and provide suggestions on proposed designs for green infrastructure BMPs.
• Participate in local committees involved with stormwater management activities.
• Provide various levels of LID and green infrastructure PowerPoint presentations to city councils, township boards, and planning commissions.  

Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Review
Interested in earning more points toward your application for Michigan Natural Resources Fund dollars? Consider including stormwater management as a component. SEMCOG can review the stormwater component of your application.

Low Impact Development
Low Impact Development is a comprehensive land planning and site design approach that focuses on preserving natural features, minimizing disturbance, and managing rainfall as close to the source as possible. It helps local government efficiency by reducing the cost of infrastructure. 

Phase II Regulations
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) has issued the Phase II Storm Water Rule, which requires municipalities and other public bodies that operate a separate stormwater drainage system within a U.S. Census-defined Urbanized Boundary to obtain a stormwater permit. This permit program, updated in 2008, affects over 120 communities in Southeast Michigan and is administered by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Environment (MDNRE). SEMCOG engages watershed planning groups, MDNRE, and numerous communities in coordinating efforts and creating tools to assist municipalities in meeting Phase II requirements.

Municipal Training Program
SEMCOG developed a Municipal Training Program to assist local communities with the good housekeeping requirements of the Phase II Stormwater Permit and to protect our area waterways. The stormwater regulations note six training areas. Training modules and fact sheets are being developed for each of these topics.

Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)
When a lake or stream does not meet Water Quality Standards (WQS), a study must be completed to determine the amount of a pollutant that can be put in a water body from point sources and nonpoint sources and still meet WQS (including a margin of safety). Determining the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) is the process used to determine how much pollutant load a lake or stream can assimilate.To view TMDLs that have been developed and approved for individual waterbodies in the State of Michigan, please visit the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment's Web site.   

Ours to Protect Campaign
SEMCOG's "Our Water. Our Future. Ours to Protect. - Seven Simple Steps to Clean Water" public education campaign is aimed at daily actions individuals can take to help protect rivers, lakes, and streams. Printed materials such as tip cards, posters, and newsletter articles have been created for each of the Seven Simple Steps to Clean Water. Additional information about the campaign, including digital copies of the print materials and videos can be found at the "Our Water. Our Future. Ours to Protect." Web site.

Watershed Signage
This successful, collaborative sign program in Southeast Michigan installs signs across the region at river crossings and watershed entrances. The signs have a consistent look and all contain the message, “Ours to Protect,” the main message of the “Our Water. Our Future. Ours to Protect—Seven Simple Steps to Clean Water” public education campaign. Five counties participate in this successful signage program. Additionally, many communities that are required to meet the federal Phase II Stormwater Regulations have included watershed signage as one effort to meet their public education requirements. There are currently 979 watershed signs in Southeast Michigan located in the following counties and communities:  

• Livingston County - 60 signs
• Macomb County - 20 signs  
• Oakland County - 406 signs  
• St. Clair County - 32 signs  
• City of Southfield - 41 signs  
• City of Troy - 50 signs  
• Rouge River Watershed (Oakland and Wayne Counties) - 370 signs