Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Natural Resources
NR 300-399 - Environmental Protection - Water Regulation
Chapter NR 328 - Shore Erosion Control Structures In Navigable Waterways
Subchapter I - Shore Erosion Control Structures on Inland Lakes and Impoundments
Section NR 328.05 - General permits

Universal Citation: WI Admin Code § NR 328.05

Current through November 25, 2024

(1) PROCEDURES.

(a) General permits shall be processed according to the procedures in ch. NR 300.

(b) If the department determines that a proposal submitted under this section has the potential to impact an endangered or threatened species in accordance with s. 29.604, Stats., the application shall be deemed incomplete. The department may not consider the application complete or issue a general permit until the applicant submits documentation to demonstrate one of the following:

1. The project avoids impacts to the endangered or threatened species in accordance with s. 29.604, Stats.

2. The project has received an incidental take authorization under s. 29.604, Stats.

(c) If the applicant modifies the project plans to meet the requirements of par. (b), the modified plans shall be submitted before the department may consider the application complete or issue a general permit.

(2) APPLICABLE ACTIVITIES. Biological shore erosion control that meets all the criteria in sub. (3) shall be eligible for general permit coverage under ss. 30.12(3) (d) and 30.206, Stats. Riprap that meets all the criteria in sub. (4), (5) or (6) shall be eligible for general permit coverage under ss. 30.12(3) (a) 3g. and (d) and 30.206, Stats. Seawall replacement that meets all the criteria in sub. (7) shall be eligible for general permit coverage under ss. 30.12(3) (a) 13. and 30.206, Stats.

Note: Eligibility for an exemption or general permit does not automatically result in a federal permit or state water quality certification for fill in wetlands. Some projects involving minimal wetland fill may be eligible for authorization under a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers general permit which has already been granted state water quality certification or a general permit under s. 281.36(3g) (b), Stats. (under development). All other projects affecting wetlands will require individual water quality certification including public notice as required by s. 401, Federal Clean Water Act, and s. 281.36(3b) (b), Stats., and carried out under chs. NR 103 and 299. For further instructions, see the department's website at http://dnr.wi.gov under the topic "Waterway and Wetland Permits."

(3) BIOLOGICAL SHORE EROSION CONTROL. Biological shore erosion control structures may be authorized under this general permit if it meets all of the requirements of s. NR 328.04 (3) and (4) with the exception that it may be located in an area of special natural resource interest.

(4) RIPRAP REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT. Repair of riprap or replacement of riprap on the bed or bank of a navigable water may be authorized under this general permit if it meets all of the requirements of s. NR 328.04 (3) with the exception that it may be located in an area of special natural resource interest, and with additional limitations as follows:

(a) Riprap replacement may not exceed 100 linear feet of shoreline located on an inland lake or flowage.

(b) Riprap repair may not exceed 300 linear feet of shoreline located on an inland lake or flowage.

(d) A deposit of sand, gravel or stone under s. 30.12(1g) (a), Stats., may be associated with the riprap replacement provided the deposit is limited to the area immediately underneath the riprap and is less than 2 cubic yards, not including the riprap itself or clean washed gravel provide under par. (L).

(e) The repair/replacement will not disturb sensitive areas identified in ch. NR 107.

(f) The applicant can document, using historical information and photos, the previous placement of riprap.

(g) The applicant can demonstrate that the replacement structure is within the footprint of the previous structures.

(h) Riprap may not be placed at an elevation higher than the ordinary high water mark plus the storm-wave height as calculated in s. NR 328.08 (1).

(i) The toe of the riprap may not extend more than 8 feet waterward of the ordinary high water mark.

(j) For replacement, the final riprap slope may not exceed (be steeper than) 2 feet horizontal to one foot vertical.

(k) Riprap shall be clean fieldstone or quarry stone 6 to 24 inches in diameter.

(l) For replacement projects, the filter cloth or clean-washed gravel shall be used as a filter layer under the riprap to extend the life of the structure, improve effectiveness and prevent soil erosion behind the riprap.

(m) Riprap or other vegetated armoring shall be re-vegetated above the ordinary high water mark by using native plantings which may include native non-woody plants, native shrub plantings, native live stakes or native jointed plantings.

(5) RIPRAP OR VEGETATED ARMORING. Riprap or vegetated armoring on the bed or bank of a lake or flowage may be authorized under this general permit if it meets all of the requirements of s. NR 328.04 (3) with the exception that it may be located in an area of special natural resource interest, and with additional limitations as follows:

(a) Riprap or vegetated armoring may not exceed 200 linear feet of shoreline.

(b) The project site is a moderate or high energy site; or a low energy site where the bank-edge recession described in s. NR 328.08 (3) is equal to or greater than 0.5 feet per year and the applicant can show a biological erosion control structure was previously placed according to the standards in s. NR 328.04 (3) and (4).

Note: NR 328.08 (3) requires that the time between separate measurements shall equal or exceed 3 months during the open-water season.

Note: The applicant will satisfy the "equal to or greater than 0.5 feet per year" requirement by demonstrating that the bank-edge recession is equal to or greater than 1.5 inches per 3 months during the open-water season.

(d) The toe of the riprap may not extend more than 8 feet waterward of the ordinary high water mark.

(e) The final riprap slope may not exceed (be steeper than) 2 feet horizontal to one foot vertical.

(f) Riprap may not be placed at an elevation higher than the ordinary high water mark plus the storm-wave height as calculated in s. NR 328.08 (1). For waters subject to subch. II, riprap may not be placed at an elevation higher than the ordinary high water mark plus 1.5 times the storm-wave height calculated in s. NR 328.08.

Note: The listed waters in subch. II are typified by following conditions - impounded; 2500 acres and larger; extensive water level fluctuation; high shoreline recession rates; historic loss of shoreline vegetation.

(g) No fill material or soil may be placed in a wetland or below the ordinary high water mark of any navigable waterway.

(h) The riprap shall follow the natural contour of the shoreline.

(i) Filter cloth or clean-washed gravel shall be used as a filter layer under the riprap to extend the life of the structure, improve effectiveness and prevent soil erosion behind the riprap.

(j) Riprap or other vegetated armoring along moderate energy sites shall be re-vegetated above the ordinary high water mark by using native shrub plantings, native live stakes or native jointed plantings.

Note: Erosion control treatments may include a 10-foot shoreline segment where plant establishment is not required for the purpose of ingress/egress associated with the placement of a pier or access to the waterway, or associated with public park activities.

(6) REPLACEMENT OF AN EXISTING SEAWALL WITH RIPRAP OR VEGETATED ARMORING. Replacement of an existing seawall with riprap or vegetated armoring on the bed or bank of a lake or flowage may be authorized under this general permit if it meets all of the requirements of sub. (5) (c) to (j) and s. NR 328.04 (3) with the exception that it may be located in an area of special natural resource interest, and may not exceed 500 linear feet.

(7) SEAWALL REPLACEMENT. Replacement of an existing seawall on the bed or bank of a navigable water adjacent to a riparian property may be authorized under this general permit if it meets all of the requirements and limitations:

(a) The replacement may not exceed 100 feet of shoreline located on an inland lake or flowage of 300 acres or more.

(b) Seawall replacement may be permitted only at the following locations:

1. Municipal or commercial marinas where vertical docking facilities are a practical alternative after considering the public interest.

2. Navigational channels actively used as thoroughfares or for access, where slopes are greater (steeper) than 1.5 feet vertical to one foot horizontal, showing evidence of erosion, where alternative methods of erosion control would impede navigation.

3. Locations where slopes are greater (steeper) than 1.5 feet vertical to one foot horizontal, and where the applicant demonstrates that alternative measures are not practicable taking into consideration bank height and the location of other permanent structures on the property.

(d) The seawall shall be attached, where appropriate, to tieback anchors placed on the upland to prevent or minimize tipping of the wall.

(e) The seawall shall include weep holes where necessary to relieve hydrostatic pressure in upland soils. A filter fabric or gravel filter layer backing at weep holes shall be installed to facilitate drainage and prevent the loss of soil from behind the wall.

(f) For locations identified in par. (b) 3., rock riprap shall be placed in front of the seawall to dissipate wave energy, minimize scour at the base of the wall and provide aquatic habitat. Rock shall be placed to the top of the wall. Riprap shall be clean fieldstone or quarry stone 6 to 24 inches in diameter, placed at a slope not to exceed (be steeper than) 2 feet horizontal to one foot vertical, and may not extend more than 8 feet waterward of the face of the seawall.

(g) Each end of the seawall shall be buried or keyed into the bank to prevent flanking.

(h) The seawall may be built only high enough to prevent the over-topping by storm waves.

(i) To stop the spread of invasive species and viruses from one navigable waterway to another navigable waterway, all equipment or portions of equipment used for constructing, operating, or maintaining the project, including tracked vehicles, barges, boats, silt or turbidity curtains, hoses, sheet piles, and pumps, shall be decontaminated for invasive species and viruses before and after use or prior to use within another navigable waterway. Decontamination activities shall be performed by taking actions specified in subd. 1. to 3. or 8. Decontamination shall include either subd. 4., 5., 6., 7., or 8. for any equipment, or portions of equipment, that is used in non-frozen navigable waters when the air temperature is above 19 degrees Fahrenheit at the time the decontamination procedures take place.

1. Inspect all equipment used for constructing, operating, or maintaining the project and remove all plants and animals, and other mud, debris, etc.

2. Drain all water from equipment used in navigable waters.

Note: This does not apply to water in closed engine cooling systems or water tanks, or containers of potable drinking water or other beverages meant for human consumption. If a tanker truck discharges water collected from navigable waters in upland areas, the tank does not require disinfection.

3. Dispose of plants and animals in the trash. An operator may not transfer plants or animals or water from one navigable waterway to another.

4. Wash equipment at a temperature of not less than 212 degrees Fahrenheit water (steam clean).

5. Wash equipment with soap and water or high pressure water of not less than 2000 pounds per square inch.

6. Allow equipment to dry thoroughly for not less than 5 days.

Note: Additional drying techniques including drying through natural or mechanical means or changes in drying duration may be submitted to the department for review and approval.

7. Disinfect equipment with 200 parts per million (0.5 ounces per gallon) chlorine for not less than 10 minute contact time. Every effort should be made to keep the disinfection solution and rinse water out of surface waters.

Note: Chlorine refers to either household bleach solution (5.25% chlorine) or granular chlorine (70% calcium hypochlorite).

8. Follow the most recent department approved disinfection protocols or department approved best management practices for infested waters. The department shall maintain on its website and make available at its offices a list of the most recent disinfection protocols or department approved best management practices for invasive species and viruses.

Note: See the department's website at http://dnr.wi.gov under the topic "Waterway and Wetlands". Recommendations for additional disinfection or decontamination protocols or department approved best management practices may be submitted to the department for review and approval to be added to this list.

(8) INDIVIDUAL PERMIT REQUIRED.

(a) Activities which do not meet the applicable standards in sub. (3), (4), (5), (6) or (7) are otherwise ineligible for a general permit shall require an individual permit.

(b) The department has authority under s. 30.206(3r), Stats., to require an individual permit in lieu of a general permit.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Wisconsin may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

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