State Rep. Ron Robinson, R-Utica, introduced a new legislative plan to protect Michigan’s waterways and increase accountability between counties following repeated raw sewage discharges from Oakland County into Macomb County waterways.

The bill package is in response to a letter sent by Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), expressing serious concerns about the permit for the George W. Kuhn Retention Basin, which is currently under EGLE review. The permit has drawn criticism after repeated incidents of raw sewage being released into the Red Run Drain, which flows through the Clinton River and into Lake St. Clair. On April 3 alone, 1.2 million gallons of untreated sewage, containing sanitary wipes, tampons, and condoms, were dumped into the waterway.

“This is about basic, environmental responsibility,” said Robinson. “Communities should not have to suffer the consequences of another country’s negligence. We need a system that ensures accountability before damage is done, not after.”

In response, Reps. Robinson, Alicia St. Germaine and Jay DeBoyer introduced a legislative package aimed at improving transparency, strengthening notification requirements, and penalizing irresponsible discharges. Key provisions of the package include:

• Inter-county approval: Discharge permit applications must include proof of approval via resolution from the board of commissioners in impacted, neighboring counties. If permission is not granted, EGLE must deny the permit.
• Advance notification: Counties planning to discharge sewer overflow into neighboring jurisdictions must notify the affected county as soon as possible, and no later than 24 hours before the expected discharge.
• Penalties for violations:
  • A $500,000 fine for failure to notify or for proceeding without permission.
  • A $5 million fine—or $0.20 per gallon, whichever is greater—for discharges exceeding contamination limits set by the state.

“This isn’t just about infrastructure, it is also about respecting our neighbors,” said Robinson. “Macomb County residents have dealt with the contaminated discharge for far too long. They deserve to know what happening in their own waterways before it impacts their health and environment. This legislation is a step toward giving them the protection they have been denied.