How Flint Handles Environmental Rules: A Practical Guide

Flint maintains 100 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with environmental rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Flint falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Stormwater Management

The City of Flint operates a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) under NPDES Permit MI0053864 issued by Michigan EGLE. The Stormwater Management Program implements Michigan's Part 31 Water Resources Protection (MCL 324.3101+) and federal Clean Water Act requirements through an illicit discharge elimination program.

Key details: NPDES Permit: MI0053864. State Law: MCL 324.3101+ (Part 31). Soil Erosion: Part 91, earth change 1 acre+. MS4 Coordinator: (810) 766-7079. Receiving Water: Flint River, Lake Huron basin.

Discharging non-stormwater into Flint's MS4, failing to install or maintain required erosion controls on a Part 91 earth change, or developing without a stormwater plan violates the NPDES permit and Part 31. EGLE can pursue civil penalties under MCL 324.3115 and the city can require remediation.

Flood Zones

The Flint River runs through the center of Flint and creates significant FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) downtown, near Carriage Town, along Thread Creek, and Gilkey Creek tributaries. Properties in Zones A and AE must comply with Michigan EGLE floodplain rules under Part 31 and federal NFIP standards.

Key details: Primary Watercourse: Flint River. State Permit: EGLE under MCL 324.3101+. Federal Program: FEMA NFIP. Map Source: Genesee County FIRM. Key Tributaries: Thread, Gilkey, Swartz, Kearsley.

Building, filling, or substantially improving structures in an SFHA without an EGLE floodplain permit violates Part 31. EGLE can issue cease-and-desist orders and seek civil penalties; FEMA can suspend Flint from the NFIP, ending federally backed flood insurance citywide.

Compared to other cities, Flint takes a harder line on flood zones. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Flint's environmental rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Flint is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Flint can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.