The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is proposing to issue a water quality certification request pursuant to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
According to EGLE, USACE intends to conduct dredging operations in the federal navigation channel in the White Lake Harbor in Muskegon County, Michigan, as part of an ongoing navigational maintenance project.
The purpose of the Certification is to ensure that the proposed dredging and placement of dredge materials for the purpose of beach nourishment will comply with Michigan’s Water Quality Standards.
Under Section 401 of the federal Clean Water Act, EGLE reviews federal permit and license applications for projects that may result in a discharge to Michigan’s waters of the United States. The purpose of the review is to determine whether EGLE can certify that the project will comply with Michigan’s water quality requirements.
EGLE said that the written comments on this plan must be submitted by December 4, 2026.