Soil Erosion & Sedimentation Control

A Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control permit is necessary for an earth change which disturbs one or more acres of land, OR occurs within 500’ of a lake or stream.

An “earth change” is described as being a man-made change in the natural cover or topography of land, including cut and fill activities, which may result in or contribute to soil erosion or sedimentation of the waters of the state.

A “stream” is a river, stream, or creek which may or may not be serving as a drain, and which has definite banks, a bed and visible evidence of a continued flow or continued recurrence of water, including the connecting waters of the Great Lakes.

Sediment is the product of uncontrolled erosion and is the greatest pollutant by volume entering our rivers and streams every year. Erosion and sedimentation result in the loss of fertile topsoil, increased flooding, destruction of aquatic habitats, filling of lakes and rivers, and structural damage to buildings and roads. Construction is one of the major causes of erosion.

The applicant must submit an application that provides specific information such as the name of the on-site responsible person, location and size of the earth change, description of the earth change and projected starting and ending dates. The soil erosion and sedimentation control plan shall be reviewed and approved by the St. Clair County Health Department.

Upon receipt of your permit fee, completed application, site plan and schedule of construction, an Environmental Health Sanitarian will conduct a site inspection. Your site will be inspected throughout the term of your permit to ensure compliance with Part 91.

At the end of the permit term a final inspection will be performed to determine if the site has been permanently stabilized or if the permit needs to be renewed.