98502322

Description:
This agreement provides funding for the operation of Michigan's continuing environmental programs while giving it greater flexibility to address its highest environmental priorities, improve environmental performance, achieve administrative savings, and strengthen the partnership between Michigan and EPA. This agreement funds state continuing environmental programs for Water Section 106 and Section 319.

Sections 106 and 319 of the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) provide grant funds to states to assist them in administering programs for the prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), Water Resources Division (WRD), works to protect and enhance the state's water quality under the authority of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended (NREPA), and associated rules.

Activities:
The activities to be performed include:

Activity 1: Management and Administration
Activity Description: Many general activities are necessary to assure the program is implemented efficiently and in a manner that protects Michigan's surface water and groundwater resources.

Activity 2: Permit Issuance
Activity Description: New and reissued wastewater discharge permits for municipalities, industries, and commercial sites are needed for various reasons, including new business ventures and groundwater cleanup efforts. Timely permit action is needed to avoid delays in these activities and meet statutory deadlines. Applications are reviewed for accuracy and completeness in Lansing. Permit writers in the WRD's Permits Section receive comments from WRD district staff regarding applications and compliance status. The staff responsible for developing water quality-based effluent limits (WQBEL) is also within the Permits Section. Permit writers must also consider federal regulations, including treatment technology-based effluent limits. During permit development, the permit writers are constantly in contact with the applicant and other interested parties.

Activity 3: Compliance
Activity Description: District staff monitor compliance of NPDES regulated facilities using a variety of mechanisms (inspections, citizen's calls, database queries, permit submittal reviews, etc.). For facilities found to be in noncompliance with laws, rules, permits, or orders, follow-up compliance or enforcement actions may be taken. In accordance with EGLE's policy, a progressive enforcement procedure is generally followed, including verbal notice, compliance communications, or violation notices, with the potential to escalate through referrals to the Michigan Department of Attorney General (MDAG) for judicial action in order to achieve compliance by the permittee in an efficient and timely manner. Referrals to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources' Law Enforcement Division are made when criminal wrongdoing is suspected.

Activity 4: Enforcement
Activity Description: Enforcement actions in water pollution control programs cover a broad spectrum of actions ranging from informal verbal directives and notice letters to formal enforcement actions up to and including litigation. The origin of all escalated enforcement actions begins with WRD district office compliance activities and initial enforcement actions. District staff or EPS staff if related to PFAS, is responsible for all compliance activities and also initial enforcement actions when noncompliance is detected. When the noncompliance continues or significantly threatens the environment or public health and safety, district staff may escalate enforcement by referring the case to the WRD's Water Quality Enforcement Unit or initiating a district escalated enforcement case in accordance with WRD guidelines. Enforcement actions handled by the Water Quality Enforcement Unit include issuance of formal enforcement notices, director's final orders, development of administrative

Great Lakes, And Energy, Michigan Department Of Environment

66.605 - Performance Partnership Grants

EPA Region 5: Chicago [EPA - RO]

Michigan United States

State-Wide

None

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 107% from $6,844,832 to $14,144,722.