The Land and Water Management Division (LWMD) has updated the High-Risk Erosion Area (HREA) designations along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Berrien County.  This web page provides up-to-date information regarding these designation updates.  The recession-rate update results have been finalized and official designation and notification letters were sent to property owners via certified mail October 12, 2007.  This certified mailing instituted the new coastal construction setback requirements.  

The HREA program is administered under Part 323, Shorelands Protection and Management, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended.  The program directs the MDEQ to identify and designate HREAs and regulate new construction activities to minimize future damage to buildings and septic systems, thereby reducing the costs and damages associated with erosion.  The identification of these potentially hazardous areas also provides property owners with information that promotes designing of developments that are less vulnerable, and reduces the need for shore protection structures.

HREAs were originally designated in 1980 in Berrien County.  The MDEQ updated the original erosion studies, using current remote sensing and geographic information system techniques, and determined that changes in the boundaries and setbacks of the HREAs were necessary.  The revised HREAs are depicted in maps available through links below.  Public meetings were held February 26, 2007, at the St. Joseph High School auditorium, St. Joseph, Michigan, and provided an opportunity for LWMD staff to explain the HREA Program.  These meetings also provided an opportunity for property owners to ask questions and provide comments.  A PowerPoint presentation was given at this meeting and can be viewed below.  Numerous comments and questions were received in response to the public meetings, prompting a re-evaluation of the update erosion study.  The goal of this re-evaluation was to ensure that the calculated rates of recession were as accurate as possible and aligned with real-world conditions.  Many areas have lower recession rates and associated required setback distances as compared to those presented at the public meetings as a result of this re-evaluation.  The LWMD sent written response letters to all inquires and/or requests for review of the study for a specific property that were received during the comment period.

High Risk Erosion Area PowerPoint Presentation 

The administrative rules should be referred to for specific details regarding the program.

Administrative Rules

The Administrative Rulesfor Great Lakes Shorelands provide the details regarding administration of the HREA program. 

Summary of Regulated Activities

An overview of those activities which are regulated, and therefore require a permit from the LWMD prior to construction on a parcel designated as HREA is provided below.  A "yes" on this list indicates that a permit is required prior to construction of that structure, while a "no" indicates an exemption from HREA permit requirements.  

Summary of Regulated Activities

Summary of Shoreline and Properties Affected

Summary for Berrien County Recession Rate Update Study 

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Berrien County HREA Maps

Maps Showing Properties Regulated as HREA, by Township

Benton TWP
Sections 12 & 13  
Sections 6, 7 &12   

Chickaming TWP
Sections 19, 25, 30
Section 25  
Sections 3, 9, 10 
Sections 9,16,17,19 & 20 
 
Hagar TWP
Sections 10, 15, 16 & 21 
Section 2, 10 & 11 
Sections 21, 28, 29 & 32 
Sections 31 & 32 

Lake TWP
Sections 13, 23, & 24 
Section 26, 34 & 35 
Sections 6, 7, 12 & 13 

Lincoln TWP
Sections 20, 29, 30 & 31
Sections 31 
Sections 9, 16, 17 & 20 

New Buffalo TWP
Sections 18, 19 & 24 
Sections 2, 3, 35 & 36 
Sections 3, 4, 8 & 9 
Sections 8, 17, & 18 

St Joe TWP
Sections 14, 23, & 26 
Sections 26, 27, 34 & 3 
Sections 3, 4, & 9