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Canton Township approves conditional consent for Salem Township force main; seeks protections against plant discharge
Summary
Canton Township’s board voted to adopt Resolution 2025‑27 giving conditional consent for Salem Township to construct and maintain a sewer main through Canton to the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority, with requirements including no NPDES permit for a Salem plant, design coordination, tree replacement, an O&M plan and indemnification.
Canton Township’s Board of Trustees on July 22 adopted Resolution 2025‑27, granting Salem Township conditional consent under Michigan law for a sewer force main to cross Canton and connect to the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority (YCUA) instead of allowing a wastewater treatment plant in Salem Township.
The board’s motion, made by Clerk Seager and supported by Trustee Ganguly, passed by voice vote. The resolution repeals a prior resolution (2025‑23) and approves consent under Michigan Compiled Laws §247.183 subject to five conditions: the force main must be built 'DAP ready' with stubs along Ridge and Denton roads for future connections; Salem, Canton and Plymouth Township engineers must jointly determine the basis of design and pump station needs; Salem must withdraw its application and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) must not issue an NPDES permit for a plant in Salem Township; all removed trees and landscape must be replaced; an operations and maintenance (O&M) plan must be agreed in writing and memorialized in an intergovernmental agreement; and Salem must execute a release and waiver to indemnify Canton for claims arising from construction or future operations.
The issue was presented as a regional alternative to a local Salem wastewater treatment plant after EGLE indicated it intends to issue a Part 31 NPDES permit unless a viable alternative is identified. Canton officials cited repeated severe flooding along Fowler Creek and Fellows Creek and said additional discharge into local waterways could worsen flooding and water quality concerns for residents on septic systems.
Board members and staff described several collaborative meetings with neighboring municipalities and agencies, including engineers from Salem Township (Stantec) and Canton (Wade Trim), Wayne County, and representatives from state and federal offices. Commissioner Melissa Daub and others from Wayne County were noted as supportive during the discussions; the board said the coordinated engineering approach is intended to minimize impacts and create an option for residents on septic to connect when needed.
The resolution requires Salem Township to (1) provide construction-ready mains with future connection stubs, (2) jointly set design and pump station parameters with neighboring townships, (3) withdraw pursuit of a local NPDES-authorized plant, (4) replace disturbed vegetation, (5) provide an O&M plan incorporated into an IGA, and (6) indemnify Canton for negligence or intentional acts related to the force main.
Board members emphasized that the consent is conditional and intends to prevent treated effluent from being discharged to Fellows Creek. The township record shows the board’s action authorizes intergovernmental negotiation and oversight rather than surrendering Canton’s review rights.
The board voted to adopt the amended agenda earlier in the meeting so the resolution could be considered; the consent motion was made and carried by unanimous voice vote.
Looking ahead, the resolution ties further approvals to engineering reviews and an intergovernmental agreement; Canton staff said they will continue coordination with Salem, Plymouth, Wayne County and EGLE as designs and permit applications progress.
