Stormwater Communities

WHAT CRWC PROVIDES

CRWC assists communities that must comply with the NPDES Phase II stormwater discharge regulations.

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Phase II Storm Water Rule, issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), required municipalities and other public bodies that operate a separate storm water drainage system within a U.S. Census-defined Urbanized Boundary to obtain a stormwater permit by March 2003. This permit program affects over 170 communities in Southeast Michigan and is administered by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy(EGLE).

STORMWATER RESOURCES

CRWC offers one-on-one technical assistance to individuals, businesses, and local governments on a variety of watershed management issues, including site visits, plan reviews, and permit application reviews, as our capacity allows.

CRWC provides all stormwater communities with resources to hand out and post throughout their community to help fulfill their stormwater requirements. 

STORMWATER SERVICES FOR COMMUNITIES

The Clinton River Watershed Council provides the following services to communities that opt into a Stormwater Education contract with us. These services fulfill the requirements set out in the Public Education Plan (PEP) under the State of Michigan’s MS4 requirements.  

  • Administration of the collaborative Clinton River Watershed, Anchor Bay, and Lake St. Clair Direct Drainage Public Education Plan (PEP). 

  • MS4 coordination with EGLE on PEP requirements. 

  • Biennial reporting of PEP activities to municipalities and EGLE. 

  • Facilitation of stormwater education workshops and presentations throughout CRWC service area.

  • Additional community education events focused on stormwater by request. 

  • Hosting quarterly Stormwater Management Forums.

  • Maintenance of subwatershed information sites online. 

  • Development of best management practice flyers for homeowners and businesses, as well as other educational materials. Delivery by CRWC to communities by request.

  • Digital distribution of monthly stormwater education program newsletters. 

  • Maintenance of educational displays for community reservation, and delivery by CRWC staff to communities by request. 

  • Distribution of dog waste bags and educational tip cards to communities by request. 

Stormwater Monthly

Updated January 6th, 2025

Welcome to the Stormwater Monthly page! The information provided here will be updated monthly in the spirit of our previous "Stormwater Monday" newsletters, so be sure to check near the beginning of the month for news and updates.

CRWC is in the process of altering and making additions to the Stormwater Education program in response to stakeholder and community feedback. We shared some of these updates at the November Stormwater Management forum, but are always open to feedback. If you haven’t and would like to, that can be done via Microsoft Forms here.

If you have questions regarding CRWC's programs, your contract with CRWC, your status as a Stormwater Education Program contact, or anything else please do not hesitate to contact me by phone or email at (248)-601-0606 ext. 26 or kaleigh@crwc.org.

Best regards,
Kaleigh

KALEIGH SNODDY
Education & Stewardship Manager

THIS MONTH’S FEATURED ARTICLES & FLYERS

Please share with your community:

KEEPING IT WATERSHED FRIENDLY IN THE WINTER

(English)
(Arabic)
(Spanish)

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT FORUMS

CRWC's Stormwater Management Forums are offered to community partners as part of the Stormwater Education Program.
These forums bring decision-makers and stakeholders within our watershed together to share information and discuss relevant topics and techniques in stormwater management. These forums are free and offered as part of CRWC’s Stormwater Education program. All government and Stormwater Education Program members, elected officials, environmental consultants, urban planners, and water utility managers are encouraged to attend.

To register, please email Kaleigh Snoddy at kaleigh@crwc.org or register via Microsoft Teams below. Registration is required to receive further details on the forum.

Upcoming Forums:
*Rescheduled from January to March*

March, 20th, 2025 - Virtual - 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Register via Microsoft Teams.

Learn more about CRWC's WaterTowns program from Jeffery Schiffman, CRWC's Watershed Planner. WaterTowns is a community-based placemaking initiative designed to help cities, towns and villages in the watershed leverage assets of the Clinton River and Lake St. Clair to help improve water quality and alleviate climate change impacts by promoting and implementing green infrastructure and advancing water-oriented community and recreation opportunities.

During this forum, we will showcase successful projects from around the watershed, share information on assisting communities in securing grant funding, and things to look out for in 2025. CRWC will also provide an update on the Public Education Plan revision/addition process. 

Past Forums:

January 16, 2024 - Virtual - 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. WATCH THE RECORDING

April 18, 2024 - Virtual - 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. WATCH THE RECORDING

July 18, 2024 - Virtual - 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. WATCH THE RECORDING

November 21st, 2024 - In person 10:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

If you have requests or suggestions for topics and guest speakers please reach out to Kaleigh Snoddy at kaleigh@crwc.org or 248-601-0606

UPCOMING EVENTS

All Events
Become A Master Rain Gardener
Jan 30
Become A Master Rain Gardener
Stonefly Search
Feb 1
Clinton River Watershed Council
Stonefly Search
Clinton River Watershed Council
Clinton River Watershed Council
Become A Master Rain Gardener
Feb 6
Become A Master Rain Gardener
Become A Master Rain Gardener
Feb 13
Become A Master Rain Gardener
Become A Master Rain Gardener
Feb 20
Become A Master Rain Gardener
Become A Master Rain Gardener
Feb 27
Become A Master Rain Gardener

REMINDERS

Don't forget about our ongoing stormwater education resources and services available to your community or organization: 

  • Request refills on flyers, brochures, or tip-cards.

  • Reserve a stormwater display

  • Schedule a presentation or workshop

When you fill out a request, someone from CRWC will follow up with you. 

Contact Kaleigh Snoddy at kaleigh@crwc.org, or (248)-601-0606 for additional information.

Be sure to track your community's activities via Appendix B.

NEWS

  • STATE OF THE GREAT LAKE REPORT

    Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has released the 2024 Michigan State of the Great Lakes Report. The report explores major accomplishments, issues, initiatives, and challenges related to the health and sustainability of our Great Lakes—the world’s greatest surface freshwater system.

  • SOUTHEAST MI FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT STUDY

    The Great Lakes Water Authority and the US Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District have received authorization and federal funding from Congress to study flooding across the region and identify actions to help mitigate its impacts on our communities. Find more information on meetings via Stormwater.com.

  • $134 MILLION FOR WATER INFRASTRUCTURE IN MICHIGAN THROUGH INVESTING IN AMERICAN AGENDA

    Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funds will flow through the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (CWSRF and DWSRF), a long-standing federal-state water investment partnership. This multibillion-dollar investment will fund state-run, low-interest loan programs that address key challenges in financing water infrastructure.  This announcement includes allotments for Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Clean Water General Supplemental funds for Michigan ($106,994,000), Emerging Contaminant funds ($9,236,000) and $17,433,000 under the Drinking Water Emerging Contaminant Fund. Read more at EPA.gov.

WEBINARS

GRANTS

COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM GRANT FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR FY26

EGLE has announced the Michigan Coastal Management Program’s (MCMP) Grant Funding Opportunity (GFO) for fiscal year 2026 funding round. The MCMP is seeking projects that protect community character and revitalize ports and harbors; plan for growth and change in our coastal communities to strengthen economies and minimize risk from coastal hazards; protect and restore healthy coastal ecosystems for public use and enjoyment; devise solutions for the nature-based solutions to slow the flow of stormwater; and create and enhance public access. Learn more via Michigan.gov. A webinar will be held on November 7, 2024, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, and applications are due no later than December 20, 2024.

CIRCULAR GREAT LAKES CAPTURE AND CLEAN UP GRANT

Through funding by Dart Container Corporation, Circular Great Lakes is offering grants for the installation of stormwater filtration to help keep sediment, litter, and other pollutants out of storm sewer systems. Learn more and apply for a grant at circulargreatlakes.org/captureandcleanup

RESOURCES

  • STORMWATER STANDARDS

    The latest stormwater standards for watershed communities can be found below.

    Oakland County
    Macomb County
    Wayne County

  • EGLE'S MICHIGAN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE MAPPING AND SCREENING TOOL

    The Michigan Environmental Justice Mapping and Screening Tool (MiEJScreen) allows users to explore environmental, health, and socio-economic indicators. These indicators are guides to help identify where populations are more vulnerable, what challenges communities face, and provide data to move toward environmental equity. View the tool at michigan.gov/egle/maps-data/miejscreen

  • STATE REVOLVING FUND ADVOCACY TOOL KIT

    River Network has developed a tool kit to support state and local advocates interested in water infrastructure investment who are seeking to better understand the State Revolving Fund (SRF) process. This toolkit aims to build the capacity of advocates to influence, improve, and access the process of securing funding for communities who need it most and have historically not been able to access SRF dollars. Access the tool kit at rivernetwork.org/connect-learn/resources/state-revolving-fund-advocacy-toolkit

  • TREES AVAILABLE FOR PROJECTS IN MACOMB COUNTY

    Green Macomb is seeking communities interested in planting trees to restore the urban canopy of Macomb County. If you are interested in receiving trees, please fill out the form found here.

  • CLEAN WATER ACT SELF-PACED TRAINING SERIES

    This 9-Part training series is an opportunity to learn the ins and outs of the Clean Water Act, dive deep into each of the Act’s program areas, and discover ways you can use the tools of the Act - and your local knowledge - to advocate for your streams and rivers.

    Learn more and register via River Network.

  • RISC TOOLKITS ON SCALING GSI, CLIMATE CHANGE PREPAREDNESS, AND MORE

    Resilient Infrastructure & Sustainable Communities (RISC) is a cluster of public and private sector professionals focused on climate resiliency via delivery and finance of market-based green stormwater infrastructure across the Great Lakes region. View their toolkits and reports, including key takeaways, via their website.

  • WATCH THE FOREVER CHEMICALS ON GREAT LAKES NOW

    It’s a curious acronym — PFAS — and it stands for a family of chemicals that’s in most homes and being detected in an increasing number of people’s water systems in Michigan and other states and provinces. Learn more.

  • WATER FINANCE CLEARINGHOUSE

    The EPA's Water Finance Clearinghouse is an easily navigable web-based portal to help communities locate information and resources that will assist them in making informed decisions for their drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure needs. Learn more.

  • OFFICE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE PUBLIC ADVOCATE

    Created by Governor Whitmer's Executive Order 2019-06 to serve as an external and internal advocate and catalyst for ensuring Environmental Justice throughout the state. Led by the Environmental Justice Public Advocate, the Office works collaboratively across state government to advance Environmental Justice and equity in Michigan, as well as addressing environmental justice concerns and complaints. Learn more.

OTHER RESOURCES