Berrien County Drain Commissioner

Roger H. Zilke, Drain Commissioner
Berrien County Administration Center
701 Main Street St. Joseph, MI 49085

Phone: (269) 983-7111, ext. 8261
Email:  Roger Zilke

Map & Driving Directions

The County Drain Commissioner is an elected official who serves a four year term, and is responsible for the administration of the State Drain Laws (P.A. 40 of 1956, as amended) also known as "The Drain Code". The Drain Commissioner is responsible for the establishment, construction and maintenance of over 800 storm water management systems (County Drains) and 5 Lake Level facilities in Berrien County. These systems are designed to provide water management, drainage, flood prevention and stream protection for urban and agricultural lands.The Drain Commissioner develops standards and specifications for management of storm water runoff in new developments.

Contact Information

Roger H. Zilke
Berrien County Drain Commissioner
269-983-7111 (8261)
 Roger Zilke

Anne Hendrix
Chief Deputy Drain Commissioner
269-983-7111 (8260)
 Anne Hendrix
(Questions RE: General Office, Soil Erosion, Galien River)

Jeannine R. Totzke
Drain Assessment Specialist
269-983-7111 (8255)
 Jeannine Totzke
(Questions RE: Assessments, Soil Erosion, General Office)

Michael Lucker
Soil Erosion Agent
269-983-7111 (8261)
 Mike Lucker
(Questions RE: Soil Erosion, General Information)

HISTORY OF STORM DRAINAGE

The history of drainage in Michigan is deeply rooted in our State’s abundant rainfall, in its diverse terrain, and in the rich variety of soils left by retreating glaciers.  Containing vast tracts of poorly-drained land, the territory was considered uninhabitable by early explorers. Much of today’s prime farmland, in fact, was earlier written off as hopelessly unfit for cultivation.

Despite setbacks from malaria and other insect-borne diseases, man’s conquering instincts prevailed. Among priorities of early leaders was creation of a system of roads promoting access to interior regions. Our first territorial drain law, enacted prior to 1820, provided drainage for these early highways.

Subsequent laws led to the drainage of rich upland marshes and swampland for crop production. To a growing population it had become apparent that extensive systems of artificial drainage were necessary for continued expansion of agricultural and related activities.

A few years after achieving statehood, Michigan passed its first state drain law, dividing authority for drainage improvements between township and county officials. During succeeding years the importance of protecting public health was fixed into law.

Public Act 254, enacted in 1898, eliminated duplication of authority by fixing responsibility for most public drains in the office of an elected County Drain Commissioner. An important contribution of this law can be found in the methods and processes described for constructing and maintaining our public drains. Those processes constitute the basis for procedures still followed today.

More recently, government’s focus on drainage has evolved in response to public pressure for additional housing and related service facilities. Many of the drains serving our county were designed to meet the more restricted demands of an agriculture society. Changes in land development continue to necessitate construction of larger and more complex systems.

 

STATUTES AND REGULATIONS

 Statutes and Regulations Effecting the Activities of the Drain Commissioner

• P.A. 40 of 1956, as amended
• Common Drain Law
• P.A. 451 of 1994, Soil Erosion & Sedimentation Control
• P.A. 346 Inland Lakes & Streams Act
• P.A. 303 Geomaere-Anderson Wetland Protection Act
• Pesticide Notification Registry For County, EPA Regulation 637, P.A. 451
• P.A. 451, Part 307 Inland Lake Level Act
• P.A. 451, Part 309 Lake Improvement Act
• P.A. 451, Part 315 Dam Safety & Inspection Act
• P.A. 451, Part 3` Clean Water Act, NPDES, Phase II
• P.A. 267 Open Meetings Act
• P.A. 25 of 1999 Land Division Act
• P.A. 222 of 2001 Governmental Immunity Act
• P.A. 345 of 1990, Survey & Remonumentation Act
• Mobile Home Act
• Condemnation Act
• Road Commission Act
• FEMA Floodplain
• FEMA Emergency Preparedness Program for Berrien County
• MDOT Regulations