Waterway & Wetland Permits: Pea Gravel Blanket

“I want to place a layer of pea gravel in a lake to create a swimming area. Do I need to obtain a permit and/or pay a fee? ” A permit is required for placement of pea gravel on the bed of a lake. This includes any areas below the ordinary high water mark, even if it is exposed lakebed. A fee is required.

Pea gravel blankets are only allowed on Lakes. They are prohibited from being placed on a stream, creek, or river bed because the material will get washed away with the currents. Placement of sand with pea gravel is not generally allowed, because it tends to move from the site, and impacts fish and wildlife habitat.

Placement of pea gravel is not allowed in wetlands or sensitive habitat areas of lakes. If you have any questions, please contact the Water Management Specialist covering the county where your project is located.

If your project design meets certain standards you may be elgible for a General Permit. The key requirement is that the muck depth at the site be LESS THAN six inches. Please review the General Permit Attachment to determine if your project meets the standards:

• General Permit Attachment: Pea Gravel Blanket [Form #3500-53O, PDF 83KB]

Please include a $50 fee with your General Permit Attachment. Send the completed application attachment, along with the Water Resources Application for Project Permits (WRAPP) [#3500-053, PDF 46KB] cover sheet to the permit intake address based on the county where your project is located on our Permit Intake & Contacts page. Please note: if you are applying for more than one permit, you only need to include one WRAPP cover sheet with your application materials. For more information about how your application is reviewed, see our Web page on the Permit Process.

In addition, don't forget to look at the sample drawings listed near the bottom of this page to ensure that your plans submitted with your application have all the necessary components for review. Otherwise your application may be delayed.

If you cannot meet the general permit requirements, please submit this form for your Pea Gravel Blanket Individual Permit application.

• Individual Permit Application Pea Gravel Blanket [Form #3500-53O, PDF 83KB]

Please include a $500 fee with your Individual Permit application (all checks payable to Wisconsin DNR). Send the completed application materials to the permit intake address based on the county where your project is located on our Permit Intake & Contacts page. For more information about how your application is reviewed, see our Web page on the Permit Process.

In addition, don't forget to look at the sample drawings listed near the bottom of this page to ensure that your plans submitted with your application have all the necessary components for review. Otherwise your application may be delayed.

Laws

Applicable statutes and codes include Section 30.12(3)(a)1, Wis. Stats. [exit DNR], [PDF 627KB] and Chapter NR 329, Wis. Adm. Code [exit DNR], [PDF 42KB].

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].