GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- The Department of Environmental Quality has given their approval for a massive pipeline project to Lake Huron.

The new permit allows for the pipeline to be laid underground along existing road right of ways and also under 53 streams.

The permit allows for workers to open cut under the streams, rather than tunnel underneath. Open cutting is a process of laying pipe under a riverbed one section at a time while temporarily diverting water.

"We are happy to have one more step completed as we move closer to having our own water system," said County Drain Commissioner Jeff Wright.

The $274 million pipeline project is designed to end the area's reliance on the city of Detroit for its public water supply.

There was

that DEQ requirements would add an an extra $200,000 and another week to the job by requiring crews to tunnel under the Black River in Sanilac County.

The river bed there is home to a federally protected, endangered mussel -- the Northern Riffleshell.

It is one of 44 species of freshwater mussels known to exist in Michigan and serves as an indicator of the health of waterways. The mussels, which measure about 2 inches across, according to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, are a food source for other animals, including raccoon and otter, Bettaso said.

The Fish & Wildlife Service Web site says the Northern Riffleshell lives in the botoms of firmly packed sand or gravel with its feeding siphons exposed. Its reproduction requires "a stable, undisturbed habitat and sufficient population of host fish to complete the mussel's larva development.

Installation of the pipeline is expected to begin in mid July.

"From day one my office has made sure we construct the KWA project in a way that has as little intrusion as possible on area residents, as well as the environment along the pipeline path," Wright said. "I'm happy the DEQ is in support and agreement with these methods.

Blake Thorne is a reporter for MLive-The Flint Journal. Contact him at bthorne1@mlive.com or 810-347-8194. Follow him on Twitter or Facebook.