A permit for work to improve drainage on M-109 near the Dune Climb has been issued to the National Park Service by the state Department of Environmental Quality.

The Park Service has received a permit to excavate approximately 83 cubic yards of material to create a 166-foot long, 3-foot stream channel under M-109.

Historically, water from a “mill pond” west of M-109 has carried the overflow to Little Glen Lake through a culvert. The underpass often becomes filled with sediment, causing water to collect on the state highway.

“What we’re doing is building an underground ditch,” Park Service staff member Mike Duwe said. “We’re taking out the culvert and creating a shallow vegetative ditch instead so that when the mill pond flows over, (water) will go under 109 and gradually seep in and filter through the sand.”

Notice of the permit was among correspondence listed on the agenda at Tuesday’s evening meeting of the Glen Arbor Township Board. The site of the proposed work is within Glen Arbor Township.