Sec. 9106.
(1) Subject to subsection (4), a municipality by ordinance may provide for soil erosion and sedimentation control on public and private earth changes within its boundaries except that a township ordinance is not applicable within a village that has in effect such an ordinance. An ordinance may be more restrictive than, but shall not make lawful that which is unlawful under, this part and the rules promulgated under this part. If an ordinance adopted under this section is more restrictive than this part and the rules promulgated under this part, the municipal enforcing agency shall notify a person receiving a permit under the ordinance that the ordinance is more restrictive than this part and the rules promulgated under this part. The ordinance shall incorporate by reference the rules promulgated under this part that do not conflict with a more restrictive ordinance, shall designate a municipal enforcing agency responsible for administration and enforcement of the ordinance, and may set forth such other matters as the legislative body considers necessary or desirable. The ordinance shall be applicable and shall be enforced with regard to all private and public earth changes within the municipality except earth changes by an authorized public agency. The municipality may consult with a conservation district for assistance or advice in the preparation of the ordinance. The ordinance may provide penalties for a violation of the ordinance that are consistent with section 9121.
(2) An ordinance related to soil erosion and sedimentation control that is not approved by the department as conforming to the minimum requirements of this part and the rules promulgated under this part has no force or effect. A municipality shall submit a copy of its proposed ordinance or of a proposed amendment to its ordinance to the department for approval before adoption. The department shall forward a copy to the county enforcing agency of the county in which the municipality is located and the appropriate conservation district for review and comment. Within 90 days after the department receives an existing ordinance, proposed ordinance, or amendment, the department shall notify the clerk of the municipality of its approval or disapproval along with recommendations for revision if the ordinance, proposed ordinance, or amendment does not conform to the minimum requirements of this part or the rules promulgated under this part. If the department does not notify the clerk of the local unit within the 90-day period, the ordinance, proposed ordinance, or amendment is considered to have been approved by the department.
(3) Two or more municipalities may provide for joint administration and enforcement of this part and the rules promulgated under this part by entering into a written interlocal agreement pursuant to the urban cooperation act of 1967, 1967 (Ex Sess) PA 7, MCL 124.501 to 124.512. However, if all of the municipalities are not located, in whole or in part, in the same county, the agreement does not take effect unless the department approves the agreement in writing. The department shall approve the agreement if the department determines that the agreement will promote the effective administration and enforcement of this part and rules promulgated under this part.
(4) A municipality shall not administer and enforce this part or the rules promulgated under this part or a local ordinance unless the department has approved the municipality. An approval under this section is valid for 5 years, after which the department shall review the municipality for reapproval. At least 6 months before the expiration of each succeeding 5-year approval period, the department shall complete a review of the municipality for reapproval. The department shall approve a municipality if all of the following conditions are met:
(a) The municipality has enacted an ordinance as provided in this section that is at least as restrictive as this part and the rules promulgated under this part.
(b) The individuals with decision-making authority who are responsible for administering the soil erosion and sedimentation control program for the municipality have current certificates of training under section 9123.
(c) The municipality has submitted evidence of its ability to effectively administer and enforce a soil erosion and sedimentation control program. In determining whether the municipality has met the requirements of this subdivision, the department shall consider all of the following:
(i) Whether a mechanism is in place to provide funding to administer the municipality's soil erosion and sedimentation control program.
(ii) The adequacy of the documents proposed for use by the municipality including, but not limited to, application forms, soil erosion and sedimentation control plan requirements, permit forms, and inspection reports.
(iii) If the municipality has previously administered a soil erosion and sedimentation control program, whether the municipality effectively administered and enforced the program in the past or has implemented changes in its administration or enforcement procedures that the department determines will result in the municipality effectively administering and enforcing a soil erosion and sedimentation control program in compliance with this part and the rules promulgated under this part. In determining whether the municipality has met the requirement of this subparagraph, the department shall consider all of the following:
(A) Whether the municipality has had adequate funding to administer the municipality's soil erosion and sedimentation control program.
(B) Whether the municipality has conducted adequate inspections to assure minimization of soil erosion and off-site sedimentation.
(C) The effectiveness of the municipality's past compliance and enforcement efforts.
(D) The adequacy and effectiveness of the applications and soil erosion and sedimentation control plans being accepted by the municipality.
(E) The adequacy and effectiveness of the permits issued by the municipality and the inspections being performed by the municipality.
(F) The conditions at construction sites under the jurisdiction of the municipality as documented by departmental inspections.
(5) If the department determines that a municipality is not approved under subsection (4) or that a municipality that was previously approved under subsection (4) is not satisfactorily administering and enforcing this part and the rules promulgated under this part, the department shall enter an order, stipulation, or consent agreement under section 9112(7) denying the municipality authority or revoking the municipality's authority to administer a soil erosion and sedimentation control program. Upon entry of this order, stipulation, or consent agreement, the county program for the county in which the municipality is located becomes operative within the municipality.
(6) A municipality that elects to rescind its ordinance shall notify the department. Upon rescission of its ordinance, the county program for the county in which the municipality is located becomes operative within the municipality.
(7) A municipality that rescinds its ordinance or is not approved by the department to administer the program shall retain jurisdiction over projects under permit at the time of the rescission or disapproval. The municipality shall retain jurisdiction until the projects are completed and stabilized or the county agrees to assume jurisdiction over the permitted earth changes.
History: Add. 1995, Act 60, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1995 ;-- Am. 2000, Act 504, Imd. Eff. Jan. 11, 2001 ;-- Am. 2005, Act 55, Imd. Eff. June 30, 2005 ;-- Am. 2018, Act 419, Eff. Mar. 20, 2019
Popular Name: Act 451
Popular Name: NREPA