Eaton County Drain Commissioners Office
1045 Independence Blvd.
Charlotte, MI 48813
(517) 543-3809
Michael J. Atayan, Drain Commissioner
The Drain Commissioner is an elected official responsible for constructing and maintaining public storm drains throughout Eaton County, Statutory authority for the office is derived from Public Act 40 of 1956, as amended, commonly referred to as the Michigan Drain Code. On behalf of over 700 drainage districts (including two lake levels), the drain commissioner may acquire temporary and permanent easements, own and sell lands, execute contracts and levy assessments to cover the expense of building and maintaining an adequate stormwater infrastructure.
Not all storm drains are managed by the Drain Commissioner. Cities and villages often own their own systems although most ultimately discharge to a county or intercounty drain. The Eaton County Road Commission and Michigan Department of Transportation also maintain systems of drains. The Drain Commissioner works cooperatively with these agencies to assure widespread protection against damage caused by flooding.
The focus of the Eaton County Drain Commissioner’s Office is threefold:
- To provide adequate drainage and assure protection of downstream properties and existing storm drains;
- To implement and manage regional flood control measures on public drains; and
- To protect surface waters of the county and state against degradation.
An active drain maintenance program, thorough review of private development proposals, and pretreatment requirements for stormwater runoff from construction sites all play important roles in achieving this goal. The Drain Commissioner also serves as the County Enforcing Agent, administering the Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Ordinance and program on behalf of the Board of Commissioners.
Permit and special assessment information: 517-543-3809 (main office)
Flooding or problem with a county drain; illegal dumping of trash in a county drain: call 517-543-3809
Illegal dumping of chemicals in a catchbasin or drain: call 517-543-3809 or DEQ emergency response hotline (1-800-292-4706)
Uncontrolled Erosion from a construction site: call 517-543-3809
Sanitary sewer and residential connection (publicly maintained sewer systems): contact local city, township or village
Private septic tank or drain field: contact Barry Eaton District Health Department (BEDHD) at 517-543-2430
State Permits (wetlands, floodplain, NPDES): Contact DEZ Environmental Assistance Center (EAC) at 1-800-662-9278
Flood Plain Maps: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood map information is available at FEMA Map Service. Maps may be viewed at the Drain Commissioner’s Office but are unavailable for distribution.
Middle Grand River Watershed 319 Planning Grant: call 517-543-5848, extension 5 (Eaton Conservation District)
Information about stormwater programs in the Lansing area may be found at http://mywatersheds.org/ (Greater Lansing Regional Committee for Stormwater Management). Information is also available through the Michigan Water Environment Association (MWEA) at http://www.mi-wea.org and at http://www.miwaterstewardship.org/YouthStewards/OurWaterGames.
News articles and publications are available at http://www.mywatersheds.org/public_education.html
Information about the Carrier Creek Stormwater Management and Restoration effort, completed in 2006, may be found at http://www.carriercreek.com/index2.htm.
Current information is also posted outside the Drain Commissioner’s Office in the main Courthouse Complex in Charlotte, Michigan.
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