Department of Environmental Affairs

660 Woodward Avenue,
Suite 1800
First National Building
Detroit, MI 48226

Administration
General Number:
(313) 471-5100
General Fax Number: (313) 471-5139
TTY: 311 or (313) 224-INFO (4636)

Hours of Operation: 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Environmental Enforcement Division
General Number: (313) 876-0974
General Fax Number: (313) 870-5256
General Fax Number: (313) 876-0993   

Willa J. Williams
Interim Director

MISSION STATEMENT
The Mission of the Department of Environmental Affairs is to manage and coordinate the environmental affairs of the City of Detroit through the development and implementation of a coordinated and comprehensive environmental policy.  This environmental policy shall provide for the protection of and enhancement of the quality of life for the citizens of Detroit; provide the skills and resources needed to maintain the City in compliance with applicable laws and regulations; and provide for the most effective and sustainable use of natural resources (land, water and air) available to the City.

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION
The Department of Environmental Affairs was established as a sixth staff department of the city and unanimously approved by the Detroit City Council.  DEA was formally established in Article 6, Chapter 6, Sections 6-601 through 6-605 in the Charter Revisions of 1996.

The role of the Department is to conserve and protect natural resources of the City of Detroit in the interest of the health, safety and welfare of the people, to promote improved social and economic conditions in the city and protect limited environmental resources for the future benefit of city residents.

The Department is a resource for citizens to gain information about environmental issues affecting them and their communities.  Community groups, teachers, and other interested citizens can be assisted in receiving educational materials regarding environmental issues.  The Department also provides information, leading to the compliance with local, state and federal regulations.

Once an environmental issue has been detected, a citizen may contact the City of Detroit complaint line at the 311 Call Center (224-4636), for assistance in remedying the situation.  The Department will handle the concerns itself or refer the issue to the appropriate agency for resolution.  Issues, which should be referred to the Department of Environmental Affairs, include:

• hazardous waste
• underground storage tanks
• emergency response activities

The Department also has a responsibility to encourage and promote sustainable economic development within the City of Detroit consistent with protection of the environment.  The Department is working with citizens, other agencies and developers to address environmental issues pertaining to sustainable development.  For a more complete picture of what the Department is doing please read our first annual State of the Environment Report. (.pdf)

The Department coordinates the right of entry process for persons desiring to enter and conduct work on City owned property or City right of ways.  For more detailed information email William Hischke (hischkew@detroitmi.gov).

The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department has completed a plan to manage storm water.  This plan can be viewed here. (.pdf)

The Department of Environmental Affairs is also the liaison between the City of Detroit and affiliated federal and state environmental agencies such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ), United States Coast Guard (USCG), Army Core of Engineers (ACE), and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).


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