Michigan has activated a new system designed to streamline the process of obtaining environmental permits required by the federal government.
The Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Technology, Management and Budget have developed the MiWaters system, a web-based permitting and compliance database.
It replaces more than 25 applications and databases, some of which were more than 30 years old.
Officials say MiWaters simplifies the permitting process for permits dealing with matters such as discharging pollution, stormwater, groundwater discharges and aquatic nuisance control.
It also includes electronic reporting of untreated or partially treated sanitary wastewater.
The system can be accessed at https://miwaters.deq.state.mi.us .
Officials say it's part of a larger project to replace aging information technology systems throughout state government.