The mission of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is to "Provide the highest quality integrated transportation services for economic benefit and improved quality of life." This mission involves planning, designing, constructing, and maintaining large-scale transportation facilities (e.g. freeways, highways, interchanges, bridges, and tunnels). MDOT has the responsibility to accomplish this mission in compliance with public policy and applicable regulations.

A National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit (No. MI0057364, hereinafter referred to as the Permit) issued by Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) for MDOT operated separate storm sewer systems throughout the State of Michigan took effect on April 1, 2004. The permit will expire on April 1, 2009 and is expected to be reissued in five year cycles thereafter.

MDOT maintains over 10,000 miles of roads and their associated drainage systems. While this transportation network supports extensive commerce and travel, it also accumulates contaminants from vehicles, road construction and maintenance. Common contaminants include sediment, oil, grease, and fertilizer.

These contaminants are then washed from the pavement during rain showers and snow melts and enter our streams, rivers and lakes. Excess pollutants may cause public health concerns, harm aquatic and animal life, lead to excess growth of vegetation, and produce unpleasant odors.

In response to this issue, MDOT has developed a Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP). The SWMP is designed to enhance the way MDOT does business so that storm water pollution is reduced or eliminated. Solutions in the SWMP are as simple as good housekeeping, or as complex as building new storm water management structures. Just as we are paying closer attention to our practices, we encourage you to educate yourself and do the same.

This SWMP describes the procedures and practices MDOT currently uses throughout the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of the transportation infrastructure to limit the discharge of pollutants from its storm drainage systems. It also documents the commitment by MDOT to develop and implement additional storm water management procedures and practices. Newly developed procedures to comply with each of the six minimum measures stated in the Permit will be reviewed with MDEQ as part of the annual reporting process. The six minimum measures include the following:

• Education and outreach on storm water impacts- public education program (PEP)
• Public involvement/participation
• Illicit discharge elimination program (IDEP)
• Post construction storm water management program for new development and redevelopment projects
• Construction storm water runoff control
• Pollution prevention/good housekeeping for MDOT operations

Phase II Storm Water Management Plan