Gratiot County administrator reports EGLE found six deficiencies in soil erosion program; response due Nov. 24

The Gratiot County administrator reported that the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) completed a reprogram review of the county's soil erosion and sedimentation control program and identified six violations across six program elements. The administrator said the county must submit a response — described in the meeting as a corrective action plan — by Nov. 24.

Why it matters: EGLE oversight affects the county’s authority to operate its erosion-control program and may require operational or permitting changes. A timely corrective-action plan is the county’s formal response path to address deficiencies noted in a state review.

Administrator's report: The administrator told the board the review “found 6 violations in 6 program areas or elements, that don't meet the requirements,” and characterized the finding as requiring improvement in items ranging “from permits to the dewatering.” He summarized the expected next step as a response by Nov. 24 and described that response as essentially a corrective-action plan. The administrator said the county is “getting into that” and that improvements are needed.

Related discussion and context: The administrator delivered the EGLE update as part of the regular administrator’s report and also summarized other routine items, including staff hiring and upcoming training for the county’s financial systems. No formal vote on the EGLE findings was taken at the meeting; the transcript records the item as an informational report and a scheduling requirement for a written response.

What comes next: The county staff must prepare and submit the corrective-action plan by the date noted in the EGLE correspondence. Commissioners did not set additional board action on the record during this meeting; any formal adoption of a corrective-action plan or implementation steps would be subject to future staff work and possible board review.