Construction Site Erosion Control and Storm Water Management

From an average construction site, 30 tons of sediment per acre is eroded into nearby waterways.

Due to these high erosion rates (lack of vegetation) and high delivery rates (efficient ditches and storm sewers), construction sites are by far the largest source of sediment that pollutes the water resources of Wisconsin.*  WPDES Construction Site Erosion Control and Storm Water Discharge Permits are designed to help decrease the amount of sediment that pollutes Wisconsin's waterways each year.

Landowners of most construction projects where one or more acres of land will be disturbed must obtain a WPDES Construction Site Erosion Control and Storm Water Discharge Permit.

• Construction sites for public buildings and places of employment are regulated by the WI Department of Commerce [exit DNR]. For more information, see the Safety and Buildings Division Soil Erosion and Sediment Control/Stormwater Program [exit DNR]
• Construction sites that are directed and supervised by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation are regulated by that department. WI Department of Transportation [exit DNR]

All other construction sites where one or more acres of land will be disturbed need to obtain a WPDES Construction Site Erosion Control and Storm Water Discharge Permit.

Before conferring permit coverage, the Department will review the project location to determine if storm water discharge from the project will impact wetlands, registered historical / archaeological sites, or endangered / threatened resources. Landowners should contact the appropriate DNR regional storm water staff as early as possible during project development to determine if the project will come in contact with any of these three resources.

To obtain a Construction Site Erosion Control and Storm Water Discharge Permit

1. Develop a Storm Water Pollution Prevention and Erosion Control Plan describing the best management practices that will be used on-site for erosion control. (The Wisconsin Construction and Post-Construction technical standards were written by the Department to assist landowners and contractors in developing a Construction Site Erosion Control Plan required under NR 216.46(1) [exit DNR]
2. Submit a Construction Site Notice of Intent form to the Department at least 14 working days before construction will begin. To avoid potential construction delays, DNR staff recommend submitting a Notice of Intent as early in the project design process as possible.
3. Submit the applicable fee.

4. Implement best management practices, as described in the Storm Water Pollution Prevention and Erosion Control Plan, to help control erosion and prevent contamination of storm water.
5. Conduct weekly on-site inspections through the duration of the project.
6. Contact the appropriate DNR Regional Storm Water Specialist with questions at any time.

Other information

• Does Your Construction Site Need a Storm Water Permit? [PDF 268KB]
• See the Construction Site Permit Application Wizard to determine what permits you need.
• Common Plan of Development Guidance [PDF 116 KB]
• Mill & Crush Operations [PDF 40 KB]

* For more information, see Polluted Urban Runoff: A Source of Concern, DNR-WT-483-97 and Brown Water, Green Weeds, DNR-WR-459-92, available using the Runoff Management publications order form.

Contact Jim Bertolacini with feedback about this page.