Environmental Issues

WETLAND PROTECTION

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) under Part 303 of Public Act 451, NREPA, regulates any wetland, regardless of size within 500 feet of an inland lake, pond, stream or river. Isolated wetlands (greater than 500 feet from an inland lake, pond, stream, or river) over five acres in area are also regulated by the MDEQ.  White Lake Township Wetlands Ordinance No. 105 closely mirrors Part 303 of P. A. 451 but is more restrictive in that isolated wetlands two acres and larger are regulated.

For more information regarding White Lake Township wetland regulation refer to the electronic copy of Ordinance No. 105 posted on our Ordinance section under reference or contact the Township environmental specialist at (248) 698-3300 ext 190.

Additional information concerning state MDEQ regulated wetlands can be obtained online at the Michigan DEQ or by contacting the MDEQ Southeast Michigan District Headquarters, 27700 Donald Court, Warren, MI 48092. The main phone number for the Warren office is (586) 753-3770.

SOIL EROSION CONTROL

White Lake Township by authority granted from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality under Part 91 of Public Act 451, NREPA, administers and enforces soil erosion and sedimentation control regulation within its boundaries. White Lake Township's Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Ordinance no. 116 closely resembles Part 91 of P.A. 451 and was adopted by resolution. In brief, soil erosion and sedimentation control is important due the fact that sediment is the greatest pollutant by volume entering our lakes and streams, increased flooding, damage to plant and animal life and structural damage to buildings and roads. A permit is required for any earth change (grading or removal of existing vegetative cover) activity that disturbs one or more acre of land or is within five hundred feet of a lake, stream, pond or river.  Plowing and tilling for crop production and some logging and mining activities are exempt from regulation under Part 91/ordinance 116.  The removal of sand, clay, gravel, peat or topsoil is not considered to be mining and therefore require permits. Additionally, any proposed importation or exportation of soils over 200 cubic yards, not associated with an approved site plan, within a calendar year requires a permit under White Lake Township Mining and Extraction Ordinance No 88.  An electronic copy of Ordinance No 88 is available under the "Reference" section on our homepage.  Please contact the building department for inquiries regarding ordinance No. 88 at 248-698-3300 ext 771.  An electronic copy of Ordinance no. 116 and applications for soil erosion and sedimentation control permits are available in the Ordinance section under Reference.  For information on matters involving soil erosion and sedimentation control, please contact the environmental specialist at (248) 698-3300 ext 190. For further information regarding Part 91 of P.A. 451 and/or the MDEQ SESC program, Please click here.

GYPSY MOTH

White Lake Township in conjunction with Oakland County and the Michigan Department of Agriculture participates in Michigan Cooperative Suppression Program.  The main goal of the cooperative Suppression Program is to provide technical assistance and funding to county governments This allows counties the opportunity to provide protection against severe gypsy moth infestations.

Currently, White Lake Township has nearly four hundred gypsy moth egg mass monitoring stations dispersed throughout all 36 sections of the Township. Annually, egg mass population data is gathered and compared with the previous surveys at that station.  The number of masses is then extrapolated to egg masses per acre to determine if spraying is required and if the area qualifies for cost-sharing through Oakland County.

To report suspected gypsy moth infestations please contact the Township Environmental Specialist at (248) 698-3300 ext 190

WEST NILE VIRUS

The Oakland County Board of Commissioners has provided $500,000 to cities, villages and townships within Oakland County to help combat the West Nile Virus (WNV). White Lake Township has been allocated nearly $14,000 through this action to assist our efforts of minimizing the risk of Township residents contracting the virus.

West Nile virus is primarily a disease of bird populations. The virus is spread when a mosquito bites and extracts blood from an infected bird and then subsequently bites an uninfected bird thereby increasing the scope of the disease. Nearly all cases mosquitos carrying the WNV have been Culex mosquitos.  Adult Culex Mosquitos live in high trees in order to be close to birds, which are the preferred food source for Culex mosquitos.  Humans are among the least desirable sources of blood for the Culex mosquito.  Culex pipien and Culex restuan prefer to lay their eggs in stagnant water with high organic content, such as pool covers, scrap tires, sewage lagoons, catch basins and the like.

The single best method to lesson the possibility of contracting WNV is to avoid contact with mosquitos. This can be accomplished by using repellents containing DEET and wearing long sleeved shirts and pants among other methods.

Another method to minimize exposure to WNV is to reduce the population of the Culex mosquito.  By applying larvicides in mosquito habitat and breeding areas that prevent larvae from maturing into adult mosquitos and applying adulticides to control mature mosquitos, populations can be effectively controlled.

Currently the Planning Department and Environmental staff have treated and will continue to treat storm sewer catch basins with Vectolex WSP, a bacterial larvacide, throughout the entire Township.  At this point there are no plans to implement an adulticide spraying program, but if the need presents itself a spray program will be in place.

STORMWATER AND WATERSHED MANAGEMENT

Phase II stormwater management program.  Under Phase II of the National pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPFES), part of the Clean water act, Federal regulations require regulated stormwater communities to obtain a permit and to develop lands that contain schedules, best management practices and measurable goals for stormwater management. White lake township is currently developing and seeking approval on plans which include an Illicit Discharge Elimination Plan (IDEP), a Public Education Plan (PEP), a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Initiative (SWIPPI) and a Watershed Plan (WP). These documents will be available after approval from MDEQ.