Waterway and Wetland Permits

Activities

Shoreline Erosion Control - Lakes

Question: I am concerned about erosion along my lake or flowage shoreline. What should I do to protect the shoreline? Do I need to obtain a permit?

Answer: Natural shoreline features provide erosion control in various ways.

Roots Protecting Shoreline from Erosion

Every shoreline is exposed to different natural events and human activities that can cause erosion. A small amount of soil erosion may not be a cause for any concern, but intervention may be needed on some shorelines.

If your property is on an inland lake or flowage, follow the steps below to assess your property, determine the extent of erosion, and get advice on the best range of methods for treating the shoreline. Permits will generally be required to place shoreline structures such as fiber logs, rock riprap or any type of seawall.

If your project is on a river or stream, see Streambank Erosion Control.

All projects on the Great Lakes require an Individual Permit; if yours is such a project, go directly to Step 7.

Because of their potential for harming fish and wildlife habitats and other public rights, the construction of seawalls along a shoreline is rarely permitted. Vegetative erosion control is recommended for low to moderate energy sites; for high energy sites, other structural methods such as rock riprap may be appropriate. For more information on erosion control methods, please see Lakeshore and Streambank Erosion Control Information.

Follow the steps below before starting your project.

  1. Calculate the energy along your shoreline.
  2. Choose an appropriate Shoreline Erosion Control method for your shoreline's energy.
  3. Determine if your waterway has a special designation that might affect the exemption or permit requirements.
  4. Determine if your project is exempt.
  5. Determine if your project qualifies for a General Permit.
  6. Apply for a General Permit.
  7. Apply for an Individual Permit.

Step 1

Shoreline Photo

Calculate the energy along your shoreline. Engineers have determined that, of the factors that cause bank erosion, wind-driven waves are the predominant factor in determining the severity of erosion. This determination uses the longest fetch (distance that wind can blow waves across the lake to a site), the average depth along the fetch (depth determines the height waves can reach before breaking), and storm wind speed (highest wind that occurs in 99.6% of the wind events measured in Wisconsin).

At this step we provide you with internet-based computer software to calculate storm-wave height at your site. This software's mathematical design is based on the most recent applicable science related to wave dynamics on inland lakes.

Step 2

Choose an appropriate Shoreline Erosion Control method for your shoreline's energy.

Step 3

Determine if your waterway has a special designation that might affect the exemption or permit requirements.

Visit the search page below, enter the information about your waterway, and identify whether the waterway is an "area of special natural resource interest" (ASNRI) or has any other special designation.

Step 4

Determine if your project is exempt. Exemptions are available for bioengineering, riprap repair and riprap replacement. These exemptions are not available for any waterway designated as an "area of special natural resource interest" (ASNRI) as determined in Step 3 above.

If your project will not be in an ASNRI, you may qualify for an exemption if your project meets specific standards. Click on one of the activities below for a checklist to help you determine if your project qualifies for an exemption.

If you would like assistance from the DNR to determine if an activity is eligible for an exemption, download and print the Exemption Determination Request [PDF 25KB], or obtain the form at your local DNR Service Center. Fill in all of the requested information, sign the form, and submit it by mail or FAX to the address on the form. You will receive a response within 15 days of our receipt of your request (provided the owner of the project site has signed the form).

Step 5

Determine if your project qualifies for a General Permit. General permits are available for biological shore erosion control in ASNRI waters, for Riprap or vegetated armoring, and for minor replacement of a seawall. Riprap and Seawall replacement projects must be on an inland lake or flowage 300 acres or larger to qualify for the general permit. Riprap projects must be on moderate to high energy sites. Seawall replacements may not exceed 100 feet long, and the site must be a marina, navigational channel or where existing slopes are steep.

Review all the specific General Permit conditions found in the application materials in Step 4 to see if your project will qualify. If your project will not meet the conditions of a General Permit, you'll need to apply for an Individual Permit.

Step 6

Apply for a General Permit. To apply for a General Permit, open and print BOTH the General Permit application form and the Instructions for your desired activity.

Our permit partner document is intended to provide general information to questions about the general permitting standards and procedures. It does not establish legal rights or obligations and is not determinative for the issues addressed.

NOTICE: Remember when applying for the Riprap and Riprap Repair/Replacement General Permits you must submit a vegetation plan. A requirement of the general permit is that native vegetation must be seeded above the ordinary high water mark (OHWM). Failure to provide a vegetation plan will result in an incomplete application and a longer waiting time to receive your permit.

Refer to the Shoreland Habitat: Wisconsin Biology Technical Note 1 or the NRCS Conservation Practice Standard 643A: Shoreland Habitat, [PDF 31KB] to see the recommended practice standards for stabilizing the shoreline and establishing native vegetation. Be advised to incorporate a variety of native plants, while also specifying the types of plants and the seeding density.

In addition, we have a list available of Native Plant Nurseries and Shoreland Restoration Consultants in Wisconsin.

Remember do not include non-native, aggressive plant species in the vegetation plan. Refer to our Invasive Species List to be aware of non-native, aggressive species. Additionally, the Wisconsin State Herbarium [exit DNR] provides detailed information about the numerous plant species inhabiting Wisconsin.

If you are asking yourself why am I being required to include all of this in my permit application? Visit our Shoreland Management page and read through the many "Resources" and "Research" to gain an understanding of the importance of shoreland restoration and establishing native vegetation.

Send the completed application materials, along with the fee and Fee Sheet, to the location identified on the form. If your project will not meet the conditions of a General Permit, you'll need to apply for an Individual Permit.

Step 7

Apply for an Individual Permit. Shore Protection projects which don't qualify for an exemption or general permit require an Individual Permit. Seawalls may be permitted for high energy sites, provided they meet statutory standards. For low or moderate energy sites, new seawalls are limited to marinas, navigational channels or where existing slopes are steep.

To apply for an Individual Permit, open and print BOTH of the following files:

Send the completed application materials, along with the fee and Fee Sheet, to the county where your project is located. For more information about how your application is reviewed, see our Web page on the Permit Process.

Laws

Applicable statutes and codes include Section 30.12, Wis. Stats. [exit DNR], [PDF 627KB] and Chapter NR 328-Subchapter I, Wis. Adm. Code [exit DNR], [PDF 140KB].

Local permits and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulations may also apply. We advise you to contact your local zoning office and your regional U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office [exit DNR].

Last Revised: Tuesday July 08 2008