Stormwater Management

The office of the Drain Commissioner exercises authority over the design and construction of structural facilities that convey and treat stormwater runoff that will be generated from a site as a result of its design. the Drain Commissioner's Rules will govern the design of such management facilities with the following objectives:

  • Incorporate design standards that control both water quantity and quality
  • Encourage innovative stormwater management practices that meet the criteria contained within these rules
  • Place greater emphasis on the maintenance of facilities
  • Make the safety of facilities a priority
  • Strengthen the protection of natural features
  • Encourage more effective soil erosion and sedimentation control measures

All plats recorded with the Register of Deeds must conform with Section 105 of Act 591 of the Public Acts of Michigan of 1996, as amended. Under this Act, the Drain Commissioner is responsible for ensuring that the drainage or stormwater management system of a subdivision is adequate to address stormwater management needs within the proposed subdivision, and
for protecting downstream landowners from flooding and degradation of water quality. The procedures, standards, and recommendations set forth in these rules are designed for these purposes.

The general standards set forth herein will also be applied by the Lenawee County Drain Commissioner in review of.

  • Site Condominium plans prepared under Act 59, P.A. 1978, as amended when requested
  • Mobile Home plans prepared under Act 96, P.A. 1987, when requested
  • Applications for permits to discharge to a County Drain under P.A. 40 of 1956, as amended. Also any development within a drainage district that may negatively impact a Drain under the jurisdiction of the County Drain Commissioner.
  • In advisory review of stormwater system plans in the other classes of developments or redevelopments, when requested by local governments who have adopted these stormwater rules by a resolution.

These rules provide minimum standards to be complied with by proprietors, and in no way limit the authority of the municipality in which the development is situated to adopt or publish and enforce higher standards as a condition of approval of the final plat or site plan.

Stormwater management technologies are rapidly developing and improving; these rules will be revised as necessary, with the most recently dated rules of the Lenawee County Drain Commissioner being applicable.

NOTE: The stormwater Fee schedule has been updated effective January 1, 2008.  A copy may be viewed in Appendix N of the rules.


 

  This graphic represents the communities in Lenawee County that have adopted the Lenawee County Drain Commissioner's Stormwater Plan. (as of: February 2, 2012)


 

 

Maintenance Request
  If you are having trouble with a Lenawee County Designated Drain please Contact Us, or use this Form to request maintenance.

Map of Lenawee County Designated Drains


A copy of the Stormwater Rules with revisions dated February 21, 2005 can be found here.