Location: Big Lake Rd south of Losee Lane

Inspection Date: 8/18/16

Time: 11:30 AM

Weather: Mostly Sunny

Description:

Environmental Concerns received a complaint on 8/17/16 from a resident in at 11779 in Springfield

Township regarding a significant amount of sediment entering the lake in back of their house. The

resident believes the sediment is coming from the RCOC road. After receiving the complaint, RCOC staff

inspected the road on 8/18/16. The water was clear. On the side of the house is a spillway that

connects to a vegetated swale that discharges to the lake. This did not appear to cause an erosion or

sedimentation issue. However, there was a small basin with a 4” pipe that was installed by the previous

homeowner that discharges to the lake. This could potentially cause sedimentation in the lake.

However, the basin was not installed and is not maintained by the RCOC and a permit was never

obtained to install the basin in the ROW. Additionally, removing the structure from the ROW would

cause a flooding issue for the property owner and residents during a heavy rain event. After a thorough

inspection of the property and based on the issue with removing the small basin, it is our conclusion

that the issue is not caused by RCOC.

Photos:

Exterior of basin Interior of basin

Spillway from Big Lake Road Vegetated swale

Vegetated swale discharges to the lake Clear water in the lake

Location: Dixboro Road between 9 and 10 mile

Inspection Date: 4/21/16

Time: 10:15 AM

Weather: Raining with an accumulation of 0.2 inches

Description:

Environmental Concerns received a complaint on 4/21/16 regarding an accumulation of sediment in a

pond from alleged grading practices occurring on Dixboro Road between 9 and 10 Mile. After receiving

the complaint, RCOC staff inspected the road and pond the same day. The water was moving at a

moderate pace from the Yerkes Drain to the pond. The water was “slightly” turbid due to the rain, but

was generally clear and the bottom of the stream could be seen clearly. No sediment loading was

occurring at the culvert. Further downstream, the water level was shallow and there was some

accumulation of sediment from an undetermined source. At the pond, the water level was shallow and

there were some areas where sediment had accumulated, again from an undetermined source. Based

on the lack of sediment loading observed and the clarity of the water, it is our opinion that the material

accumulating in the pond is not from grading practices on Dixboro Road.

Inlet Pipe Outlet Pipe

Downstream from Outlet Pipe Ponding area further downstream

Location: Fieldview Avenue between Dandison Blvd. and Edwood Ave.

Inspection Date: 10/20/16

Time: 2:00 PM

Weather: Raining with an accumulation of 0.4 inches

Description:

Environmental Concerns received a complaint on 9/21/2016 regarding an accumulation of runoff from

Fieldview Avenue into Middle Straights Lake by the canal and the caller also requested confirmation that

the existing bioswale was large enough to remove pollutants from road runoff before reaching the Lake.

After receiving the complaint, RCOC staff inspected the road and the canal on 10/20/2016. Even though

it was raining consistently throughout the day, the property surrounding the canal was not flooded and

the area around the bioswale was not flooded. Additionally, the bioswale appeared to be properly

filtering the water from the road before discharging into the canal. Based on the lack of flooding and

the presence of an existing grass-lined ditch, it is our opinion that the Stormwater system currently in

place is functioning properly.

Pipe from road discharges to swale Middle Straights Lake

Location: Hickory Heights between Big Beaver and Long Lake Road

Inspection Date: 8/17/16

Time: 2:45 PM

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Description:

Environmental Concerns received a complaint on 8/11/16 from a resident in at 970 Hickory Heights in

Bloomfield Township regarding a potentially hazardous spill in front of their driveway and their

neighbor’s driveways from a company that repaired their driveway. After receiving the complaint, RCOC

staff inspected the road on 8/17/16. The only material observed on the ground was dried tire marks

from the wet asphalt. Additionally, no chemicals were observed in the ditch line along the north and

south sides of the street. Based on the lack of hazardous material on the pavement, it is our opinion

that there is not an issue at this site.

Photos:

South side of road Tire marks in center of road

Complaint Location: Nash Acres Subdivision (East Pond) – Maple Road between Drake and Farmington

Inspection Date: 8/31/16

Inspected by: Brad Knight

Time: 11:30 AM

Weather: Partly Cloudy

Description:

I inspected the site to determine if any issues with the east pond exists that may be caused by RCOC or by any activity taking place within the road ROW.

I surveyed the east pond and could not find any watercourse connectivity between the road ROW and the pond. Since there is no direct channel connection between the two, sediment is not entering through any type of waterway. Also, there is about a 350 foot vegetative buffer between the road ROW and the east pond so sediment is not entering through overland flow. All soil erosion and sedimentation controls were in place and were working as designed and there was no soil leaving the road ROW at the time of inspection.

I also took a look at the west pond to rule out the possibility of anything entering the east pond from the west pond. No waterway connectivity was found between these two ponds so nothing is entering the east pond from the west. The east pond is more-than-likely spring-fed as there is no direct inlet or outlet to this pond.

Based on aerial photographs that were taken in April of this year (attached), the pond seems to be the same color now as it was when the aerial photos were taken. They both have a greenish-brown hue to them and look very similar. Turtles were observed in the east pond and swans were observed in the west pond so wildlife is utilizing both ponds.

Determination:

After a thorough inspection of the site, it is my conclusion that any potential issue with the east pond is not being caused by RCOC or by any activity taking place within the road ROW.

Nash Acres – Field Pictures

East Pond East Pond

West Pond April 2016 Aerial Photo

Nash Acres – Field Pictures

South Side ROW in front of east pond South Side ROW in front of west pond

Location: 5084 Algonquin Road

Inspection Date: 05/09/17

Time: 2:00 PM

Weather: Cloudy

Description:

Environmental Concerns received a complaint on 05/03/2017 regarding a pipe that was discharging water from their neighbor’s house into the ditch. RCOC’s permits division confirmed that the homeowner never submitted a permit application to install the pipe in the ditch. On 05/09/17 Environmental Concerns inspected the area and found a small 2” pipe coming from the neighbor’s property into the ditch. At the time of this inspection the ditches were dry. The homeowner came outside and said that ever since the pipe was installed the ditch is flooded with water and it is contributing to erosion in the ditches outside her home. Permits followed up by issuing a letter to the homeowner on 05/10/17 to remove the pipe from the ROW.

Fred from RCOC’s permits division visited the site on 05/22/17. He observed that following a heavy rain event from the morning before that the ditches are dry.

Photos:

Photo 1: Pipe & rip-rap in ditch Photo 2: Pipe coming from house

Location: 625 & 659 Hillwood Street, White Lake Township

Inspection Date: 07/12/17

Time: 2:30 PM

Weather: Rain

Description:

Environmental Concerns received a complaint on July 11th, 2017 regarding erosion on the resident’s yard

and “weeds” being discharged into the lake. The road was inspected by Environmental Concerns at 2:30

PM on July 12th following a heavy rainstorm. The ditches along Hillwood from M-59 to beyond the

resident’s property were either full of vegetation or the gravel had built up around the edges of the road

to prevent water from draining into the ditches. These combined factors caused rainwater to collect

north of their property on the north side and some rainwater to drain onto the resident and her

neighbor’s property. The resident’s neighbor created their own drainage system that discharged to the

lake to alleviate some of the flow onto their yard. Additionally, the vegetation around the water

appeared to be in good condition and free from weeds.

Conclusion:

The Planning & Environmental Concerns Department has communicated the issues with the ditches to

the Maintenance Department for follow-up.

Photos:

Photo 1: Road in front of homeowner’s property Photo 2: Erosion on neighbor’s property

Photo 3: Flooding In Front Of Resident’s Property Photo 4: Hillwood Road Ditch By M-59

Location: 10455 Oakhurst Road

Inspection Date: 06/22/2017

Time: 11:15 AM

Weather: Sunny

Description:

Environmental Concerns received a complaint on 06/21/2017 regarding excessive tree trimming along Oakhurst road. Oakhurst is a narrow road where trees and debris are located close to the edge of the road. Additionally, Oakhurst is a designated Natural Beauty Road (NBR). After receiving the complaint, RCOC staff inspected the homeowner’s property and the remainder of the road on June 22nd at 11:15 AM. RCOC staff observed that the majority of the trees in front of the homeowner’s property and along the road were not excessively trimmed. Although a small tree was damaged south of their property and a small number of tree debris were in the road north of the lawn maintenance car, the reasons were likely natural or due to safety issues caused by the vegetation’s close proximity to the road.

Determination:

Based on the lack of significant tree trimming, it is determined that there is no significant impact to the vegetation on Oakhurst Road.

Photos:

Photo 1: Oakhurst Road north of driveway. Photo 2: Oakhurst Road south of driveway.

Photo 3: Tree down east side of road, south of property. Photo 4: Branches down east side of road, north of property.

Location: Peninsula Drive, Addison Township 

Inspection Date: 06/30/17 

Time: 10:30 AM 

Weather: Cloudy 

Description: 

Environmental Concerns received a complaint on June 29th regarding the topography issues causing 

pollution to enter Lakeville Lake. The road was inspected by Environmental Concerns at 10:30 AM on 

June 30th.  During the inspection homeowner’s wife said that the pollution issue was due to brine that 

was applied on the road.  However, upon inspection of the road, there did not appear to be any excess 

brine or any significant areas of pollution entering the lake.  

Photos:  

      

Photo 1: Road in front of homeowner’s property        Photo 2: Peninsula Drive continuing to lake  

 

Location: 30711 Old Plank Road

Inspection Date: 04/12/2017

Time: 2:00 PM

Weather: Party Cloudy

Description:

Environmental Concerns received a complaint on 04/11/2017 regarding a citizen that a resident had performed tree cutting, leveling and drainage work at his house that caused him to drain his property onto Old Plank Road. This in turn is supposedly causing a flooding issue and damage to the road. After receiving the complaint, RCOC staff inspected the road at 2 PM. A pipe from an unknown source was observed in RCOC’s ditch. Additionally, the south ditch line was filled with water following a rain storm and was slightly draining onto the road. After reviewing images in Google Earth, it appears trees were removed from the front of the property, a pipe was installed and the grade was changed between 2015-2016.

Determination:

The water that accumulates in the ditch could be a potential issue for the road and the residents. The pipe should be removed to reduce the amount of water entering the ditch line.

Photos:

Photo 1: Pipe coming from into ditch line. Photo 2: North side of south ditch line.

Photo 3: North ditch line. Photo 4: South ditch line facing south.

Location: 1656 South Newman Road

Inspection Date: 01/19/17

Time: 2:00 PM

Weather: Party Cloudy

Description:

Environmental Concerns received a complaint on 1/19/2017 regarding a potential spill on South Newman Road from a citizen who contacted WRC. They reported that a garbage truck operated by Odd Jobs had leaked hydraulic oil of an unspecified amount, threw down oil-dry, and left the scene without cleaning up the remains. After receiving the complaint, RCOC garage staff inspected the road at 2 PM. Upon investigation by RCOC staff and the Orion Fire Department, it was concluded that the material on the ground was not a petroleum product. Further information from an employee at Odd Jobs confirmed that the vehicle had blown a radiator line and the product was coolant, not a petroleum product. Odd Jobs returned on 1/20/2017 and used oil-dry to sweep up the residue and also removed a small portion of dirt along the road to assure the material is removed.

Determination:

Because of the consistency of the coolant used, the small amount of coolant spilled, and the lack of storm drains, it is determined that there will be no impact on the environment or to Square Lake.

Photos:

Photo 1: Coolant on ground. Photo 2: Coolant on grass near property.