A complete list of all programs within the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)
Community involvement and public participation are an essential part of EGLE’s mission, vision, and values.
Resources and information on utilizing RRD's data exchange and the Inventory of Facilities.
An interactive map displaying contaminated sites throughout Michigan regulated under Parts 213, 201, and 211.
EGLE's interactive calendar is designed to provide timely information on decisions before the Director, proposed settlements of contested cases, administrative rules promulgation, public hearings, meetings and comment deadlines, and environmental conferences, workshops and training programs.
The Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides all persons (except persons incarcerated in correctional facilities) with access to public records of public bodies. Requests to inspect or receive public records from EGLE must be in writing and describe the requested records with enough detail to enable the department to identify and locate the requested records. Some records are exempt from disclosure under the FOIA or another statute and thus will not be provided. A fee may be charged to process your request. Please note that many records are available that do not require a formal FOIA request.
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EGLE VWR Coordinator: Michael Van Loan 517-899-7004
DNR VWR Coordinator: Randy Knapik 517-282-7783
VWR Floodplain Engineer: Donna Cervelli 517-243-6951
Wetlands are a highly valuable and ecologically important natural resource that provide a wide range of functions and services that improve water quality including flood control, nutrient and pollutant removal, sediment retention, and groundwater recharge. Wetlands also provide critical habitat for a wide array of fish and wildlife species, including threatened and endangered species.
Wetlands in Michigan, and throughout the Midwest, have faced historic losses and alterations, primarily through efforts to drain and/or fill them for agricultural cropland and residential or commercial development. It is estimated that approximately half of all wetlands in Michigan that existed prior to European settlement have been removed from the landscape. Many remaining wetlands are degraded due to altered hydrological regimes, vegetation alteration, encroachment of non-native plant species, or other factors. The restoration and enhancement of altered and degraded wetlands re-establishes and adds important ecological functions back to the landscape including improving water quality and enhancing wildlife habitat.
In 2019, amendments to Part 303, Wetlands Protection, of the Natural Resource and Environmental Protection Act, 1194 PA 451, as amended (NREPA) created a program to facilitate VWR projects in coordination with state, federal, tribal, and nongovernmental agencies and organizations specializing in wetland restoration and conservation. The goal of the program is to enhance coordination, consistency, and operational procedures and improve and streamline the permitting process, to facilitate a net increase in wetland functions and services.
Generally, a VWR project involves activities whose purpose is to restore lost functions and services in altered, degraded, or former wetland. Many areas that are ideal wetland restoration candidates are regulated under state law and require a permit from EGLE before restoration activities can begin. Floodplains, partially drained areas that are still wetland, and agricultural drains that are intermittent or seasonal streams are examples of areas where restoration activities likely require permitting by EGLE.
EGLE and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), in partnership with wetland restoration practitioners, have developed a streamlined permitting program to specifically process VWR projects that meet certain criteria. For the specific statutory language pertaining to the VWR program see Section 30312f of Part 303, Wetlands Protection (NREPA). EGLE has developed a robust Minor Project Category for wetland habitat restoration and enhancement to help streamline the VWR permitting process. Descriptions of General Permit and Minor Project categories can be found on our Permit Categories page.
Entities listed above can request a meeting with VWR staff to discuss a potential project prior to submission of a permit application at no cost. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the proposed project, identify if EGLE permits are required, and if so, discuss potential permitting issues and ways to maximize net increases in wetland functions and services. To request a VWR Pre-Application meeting, submit an electronic request via our online permitting system, MiEnviro.
Assistance may be available for voluntary wetland restoration projects through a variety of wetland restoration programs designed to help landowners who wish to restore or enhance wetlands on their property. Partners that have established wetland restoration programs in Michigan include:
Grand funds may also be available to conduct wetland restoration projects from:
The following are links to technical resources regarding wetland restoration:
The Voluntary Wetland Restoration program is interested in establishing new partnerships and working relationships with individuals, watershed groups, conservation organizations, governmental agencies, and businesses involved with or interested in wetland restoration. If you have questions about EGLE's Voluntary Wetland Restoration Program or would like additional information on restoring wetlands, please contact the EGLE VWR Coordinator Michael Van Loan at 517-899-7004 or VanLoanM@Michigan.gov; or the DNR VWR Coordinator Randy Knapik at 517-282-7783 or KnapikR2@Michigan.gov.
