Model Environmental Ordinances
Developed by PES and Department staff, the information in these documents provide community staff and public officials with a comprehensive set of methods to incorporate environmental protection into community documents that will preserve and enhance your community's long-term environmental and economic health. Topics include:

   + Storm Water Management
   + Flood Prevention
   + Wetlands & Watercourse Protection
   + Resource Protection Overlay
   + Natural Feature Setback
   + Native Vegetation
   + Tree & Woodlands Protection

These ordinances can be used individually, or developed to work together for a more thorough protection program. When implemented Countywide, the ordinances will provide greater consistency between communities in their environmental preservation and development efforts, as well as help to meet a County goal of natural area protection.
For More Info and to download the Model Ordinances


Low Impact Design (LID)
LID is a storm water management approach that seeks to reduce non-point source water pollution by controlling site runoff with small-scale measures within the development site. A site’s predevelopment hydrology can be mimicked with design techniques that infiltrate, filter, store, evaporate, and detain runoff close to its source. LID provides Storm Water benefits, such as groundwater recharge and cleaner streams, and they also increase the urban forest, reduce the urban heat island, improve air quality, reduce thermal stream pollution, enhance the appearance of a community, and provide a stronger sense of place.

SEMCOG is partnering with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality in implementing Low Impact Development in Michigan. SEMCOG has received funding for an LID manual, three brochures, and to hold three workshops across the state on the LID manual. A Statewide LID Advisory Committee has been developed to provide input into the development of the manual, brochures, and implementation workshops.

For More Info


Phase II Storm Water Pollution Prevention Permits and Public Education
The authority to regulate storm water comes from the City and Village Zoning Act (Act 207 of 1921 as amended), and the Township Zoning Act (Act 184 of 1943 as amended). Both acts allow governmental entities to provide zoning ordinances for the regulation of land development and to facilitate efficient provision for public services and facilities. The main emphasis of storm water management regulations should be to minimize runoff, and then treat the runoff that does occur before it reaches a natural water body. Storm Water management has moved into the forefront for many communities since the inception of the Federal Clean Water Act’s Phase II requirements regulating Storm Water runoff.

The MDEQ will issue the next Phase II Storm Water Permits in the fall of 2007.  The planned schedule for official public notice of the new jurisdictional and watershed permits is November 1, 2007, with issuance occurring in December 2007.

MCPED has created Model Environmental Ordinances, one of which includes storm water management. Communities can use the example ordinance language, which incorporates approaches to Storm Water management and impervious surface reduction into the same ordinance. It provides site development standards that guide developers and individuals to finding opportunities for Storm Water reduction and treatment as they go through the site planning process.

Solid Waste Planning
The 2000 Solid Waste Plan addresses the solid waste management needs of the County (including that of the northern portion of the Town of Memphis, located in St. Clair County) to ensure that all non-hazardous waste generated is collected, recovered, processed, and disposed in a manner that is consistent with state law and in an environmentally sound manner.

The County is also responsible for preparing an update to the Solid Waste Management Plan, as required by Part 115, Solid Waste Management, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended (Act 451). Part 115 requires every county in the State of Michigan to have a management plan to assure that all the non-hazardous solid waste generated in the county is collected and recovered, processed, or disposed of for a ten-year period at facilities which comply with state laws and rules.

The update officially begins with the filing of a "Notice of Intent" form (provided by the DEQ) by the county or municipalities within the county accepting responsibility to prepare the update. The form does two things: commits the county to preparing the update and designates the planning agency responsible doing the work. The Macomb County Board of Commissioners is be responsible for appointing the 14-member solid waste management planning committee, if one is currently active.

Supportive GIS Mapping
The PES staff interprets and uses maps that are produced by MCPEDs GIS & Graphic Support Services Group, such as the Macomb County Wetland Indicators, Natural Features Inventory, County Watershed and Regional Watershed Maps.  

Fulfilling Environmental Information Requests
The PES staff is available to field questions regarding topics such as soils, floodplains, USGS topography maps and tree stands.

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