SESC Permits
Keeping with its original charge of mitigating the effects of soil erosion, the Leelanau Conservation District oversees and monitors Michigan’s Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Law for Leelanau County. LCD accepts and reviews applications for SESC permits and conducts site visits to address questions or concerns about soil conditions, erosion hazards, and risk to wetlands.
It is necessary to obtain a SESC Permit before work begins. Failure to obtain a permit may result in additional fees.
SESC Permit Criteria
The Leelanau County Stormwater Ordinance, which incorporates Part 91 of Act 451 (formerly Act 347), Michigan’s Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Law, regulates and requires a permit for the following:
Michigan PA 451, Part 91 Requirements
Disturbance is more than 1 acre
Disturbance is within 500 feet of a lake or stream
Leelanau County SESC Requirements
Earth change within environmentally sensitive residential sites (one or more of the following):
Driveway slopes greater that 10% (1 ft vertical to 10 ft horizontal)
Clay or silt soils, hydric soils, and hydrologic group D soils
Within 100 ft of a regulated wetland, lake, or stream
High potential for environmental degradation including flooding
All industrial or commercial use development sites
All subdivisions
All condominium developments
All projects in Leland & Solon Townships
Our Process
Application Submission
Submit a completed application with a non-refundable $100 deposit.
Site Evaluation
SESC inspector will conduct a site assessment and make a determination.
Fee Remittance
The applicant pays the assessed permit fee.
Permit Issuance
Upon receipt of payment, the permit is issued.FAQs
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Start by clicking the application button above. Then do one of the following:
Fill out the form in your browser, download the completed application, and email it to sesc@leelanau.gov
Print the blank form, fill it out, and mail or drop off the completed application to our office at 8527 E Government Center Dr, Suite 205, Suttons Bay, MI 49682
A non-refundable $100 deposit is due with each application submission
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We accept cash, check, or credit card payments. Once the application has been processed, our office will call you to receive proper payment over the phone or by mail.
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You are required to obtain a permit from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) if any part of your project takes place below the ordinary high water mark, in a stream or wetland, or in a Critical Dune Area. If you are unsure if an EGLE permit is necessary, we will make that determination upon visiting your site.
In Leelanau County, permits for these kinds of high priority sites are issued by Robyn Schmidt of EGLE Water Resources Division—visit https://www.michigan.gov/egle
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Once your completed application and deposit are received, a Soil Erosion Control Inspector will visit the property to conduct a site determination. Your presence is not required unless otherwise requested. Following the inspection, our office will contact you with the assessed fee total and payment instructions. The entire process takes no more than 30 days from application submission to permit issuance.
Additional Services
Soil Erosion Site Vist
If you have questions or concerns about soil conditions, erosion hazards, wetlands/ streams/lakeshore, or the SESC permitting process, one of our Erosion Control Officers can meet you or a designated agent on site. Complete the site visit request below and submit the $80.00 fee, we'll be happy to schedule a visit.
(Vegetative Removal Assurance Plan)
The most fragile areas of Michigan’s dunes can be protected while balancing the benefits of economic development, public access, and enjoyment through the protection of steep, erosive slopes by protecting and re-establishing dune vegetation communities essential to dune preservation and stability. For projects within a Critical Dune Area, EGLE requires a VRAP. Our staff can write one for you, see the application below.
VRAP
SESSRC Ordinance
The purpose of the Leelanau County Soil Erosion, Sedimentation & Stormwater Runoff Control Ordinance is to prevent the pollution, impairment, or destruction of a natural resource or the public trust in Leelanau County. Adopted in 2014 by resolution of the Board of County Commissioners in accordance with provisions of Section 9105(2&3) Part 91, Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control, of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act 1994, PA 451, as amended.
