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Storm Water

Construction Site Erosion Control and Storm Water Management

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Erosion at construction site 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 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.

The permit process can be streamlined with early consideration of:
  • wetlands
  • historical / archaeological sites
  • endangered / threatened species

Otherwise, delays can occur.

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


The landowner must:
  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.
Acres of Land Disturbance Application Fee
At least 1 but less than 5
$ 140
5 or more and less than 25
$ 235
25 or greater
$ 350
  1. 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.
  2. Conduct weekly on-site inspections through the duration of the project.
  3. Contact the appropriate DNR Regional Storm Water Specialist with questions at any time.

Other information


* 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.

DISCLAIMER: Information on this page is provided for education purposes only. Check Wis. Admin. Code NR 216 [exit DNR] or contact a member of the DNR Storm Water Program Staff with any questions.
Contact Information
For more information about this page, please contact: Jim Bertolacini 608-264-8971
Last Revised: Friday December 11 2009