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Wisconsin Water Permits, Licenses and Approvals

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Water Division is responsible for:

  • Protecting public health and safety
  • Protecting the Public Trust
  • Enforcing water related laws
  • Assuring public recreational opportunities
  • Encouraging wise use of water and land resources
  • Setting protection and cleanup standards
  • Monitoring and regulating resources use
  • Incorporating environmental, social and economic information in our decisions

Permits are a tool used to educate potential polluters and control harmful activities.  There are a variety of programs and each is designed to address a specific part of the pollution problem.  To navigate to a specific permit, select by Type of Permit on the left side of this page.  For more general information about the permit programs, select from the choices under Water Permit Programs. Or choose the permit program below.

Eau Claire Dalles

Already know where to go? Click the links below. Otherwise, scroll down for program descriptions.
WPDES Overview | Animal Waste (CAFO) | Storm Water | Wastewater | Dam Safety | Capacity Development |
Waterway & Wetlands | Aquatic Plant Management | Fisheries & Habitat

Water Permits
Type Description
Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES)

Municipal, industrial, and animal waste operations discharging water to surface or groundwaters may be required to obtain WPDES permits for:

  • wastewater discharge
  • storm water runoff
  • runoff from large animal operations (CAFOs).
Construction Permit Wizard Help in determining which permits you need from what agencies. Includes links to DNR Storm Water, DNR Waterways and Wetlands, DNR Dams, Department of Commerce and Department of Transportation.
Dam Safety Permits for building a dam, transfer of ownership, impoundment drawdown, and other water-related activities.
Wisconsin's Capacity Development Program Capacity development is a program that aims to help public water systems strengthen their ability to consistently supply safe drinking water to their customers. The program focuses on assisting system owners and operators, particularly small water systems, with improving their technical abilities, managerial skills, and financial resources to comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requirements.  More information ...
Waterway and Wetland Permits Many activities affecting navigable waters require permits or approvals from Wisconsin's Department of Natural Resources (DNR).  Click here for information about these permits.
Wisconsin's Aquatic Plant Management and Protection Program In order to protect diverse and stable communities of native aquatic plants and prevent the spread of invasive aquatic plants, many aquatic plant management and nuisance control activities require a permit issued by the Department.
Fisheries & Habitat

Permits for such activities as: 

Aquatic Plant Control, Aquatic Plant Barrier, Beaver Damage, Boathouse Repair, Boat Ramp (Landings), Boat Shelter, Bridges, Buoys (Moorings and Markers), Culverts, Dams, Dredging, Dry Hydrants, Fish Habitat, Fords, Grading, Irrigation, Lake Levels, Misc. Structures, Nonmetallic Mining in Waterways, Pea Gravel Blanket, Piers, Docks, Wharves, Pilings, Ponds
Wisconsin Waterfront Permits

Although DNR sets the standards for permits for waterfronts, they are generally administered by the county or municipality. To help you find the appropriate contacts, we have compiled this list:

Waterfront Contacts by County

 

Related Programs

Regulatory Performance Report

Provides summary information about the processing time for certain regulatory decisions including permits, licenses, certifications and approvals.

Other Licenses and Permits

Permit Primer

Wastewater Systems Plan Review

Nonmetallic Mining

Last Revised: Monday June 19 2006