MS4 Permits

Public entities in urbanized areas that own and operate a municipal separate stormwater system (MS4) must have a permit to discharge stormwater into Waters of the State. In Michigan, the state permitting authority is the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.

Several communities in the Macatawa Watershed are MS4 operators that must comply with stormwater permit requirements. They include the City of Holland, City of Zeeland, Ottawa County, Allegan County, the Ottawa County Road Commission, and the Allegan County Road Commission. These six entities work cooperatively with the ODC Network to maintain compliance with their stormwater permits.

One key component of the MS4 permit is to provide the public an opportunity to review and provide comments on the Stormwater Management Plan (SMP). The SMP for Allegan County's currently active permit is provided below.

For questions about the MS4 permits, contact Kelly Goward, ODC Network Conservation Programs Director at kelly@outdoordiscovery.org