Permitting worksheet.
Link to this table
Step 1: Determine if your project entails a regulated activity:
Is the project: Yes No Not sure? Primary Agency to Contact Related Permits You May Need
disturbing > 1 acre? Check project plans MPCA, MS4 NPDES/SDS Construction Permit
dewatering? Check project plans DNR Water Appropriations Permit
appropriating water? Check project plans DNR Water Appropriations Permit
an industrial discharge? Check project plans MPCA Met Council NPDES/SDS Industrial Permit Industrial Waste Disposal Permit
a feedlot operation? Check project plans MPCA MDA NPDES/SDS Feedlot Permit
discharging to Special Waters? Check Special Waters list MPCA NPDES/SDS Permits
discharging to surface waters? Check project plans MPCA DNR NPDES/SDS Permit Water Appropriations Permit
disposing/injecting stormwater into the shallow subsurface? Check project plans USEPA Class V Injection Well Inventory Class V Injection Well Permit
draining wetland? Check NWI Check wetland delineation USACE DNR MPCA BWSR, LGU Section 404 Permit Public Waters Permit Section 401 Water Quality Certification Waters/Wetlands (WCA) Permit
filling wetland? Check NWI Check wetland delineation USACE DNR MPCA WSR, LGU Section 404 Permit Public Waters Permit Section 401 Water Quality Certification Waters/Wetlands (WCA) Permit
excavating wetland? Check NWI Check wetland delineation USACE DNR MPCA WSR, LGU Section 404 Permit Public Waters Permit Section 401 Water Quality Certification Waters/Wetlands (WCA) Permit
innundating wetland? Check NWI Check wetland delineation USACE DNR MPCA WSR, LGU Section 404 Permit Public Waters Permit Section 401 Water Quality Certification Waters/Wetlands (WCA) Permit
affecting a calcareous fen? Check calcareous fens list X X
working below the ordinary high water level or in a Public Water? Check OHWL Check PWI DNR Public Waters Permit
a utility crossing (e.g. pipe, transmission line, etc.)? Check project plans DNR, public owner of land Utility Crossing License, State/Public Landowner Permission
Step 2: Determine the receiving water
Is the project area is in, near, or draining directly to: Yes No Not Sure? Primary Agency to Contact Considerations and Related Permits You May Need
a trout lake or lake trout lake? Check trout lakes DNR Special Permit Conditions Apply
DNR public waters? Check PWI DNR Public Waters permit
a water of the US? Check Waters of US USACE Section 404 or Section 10 Permit and Section 401 Water Quality Certification
a trout stream? Check trout streams DNR Special Permit Conditions Apply
a wild, scenic, or recreational river? Check WSR Rivers DNR Special Permit Conditions Apply
the Upper Mississippi River? Check Special Waters DNR Special Permit Conditions Apply
a public drainage ditch? Contact Drainage Authority Drainage Authority Drainage permit/permission
wetland? Check NWI Check wetland delineation BWSR, LGU WCA Permit, Section 404 Permit, Public Waters Permit, and/or Section 401 Water Quality Certification
DNR public waters wetlands? Check PWI DNR WCA Permit, Section 404 Permit, Public Waters Permit, and/or Section 401 Water Quality Certification
a calcareous fen? Check Calcareous Fens list DNR, MPCA Approved calcareous fen management plan and individual NPDES/SDS permit
an impaired water or TMDL listed water? Check 303d list MPCA Special Permit Conditions Apply
outstanding resource value waters (ORVWs)? Check ORVWs MPCA Special Permit Conditions Apply
Step 3: Determine if your project area is in, near, or draining to special areas:
Is the project area in, near, or draining directly to: Yes No Not Sure? Primary Agency to Contact Considerations and Related Permits You May Need
MS4? Check with MS4 (City, Watershed, Mn/DOT) MPCA, LGU NPDES/SDS MS4 Permit
a construction site? Check with LGU MPCA, LGU NPDES/SDS Construction Permit
an industrial site? Check with LGU MPCA Met Council NPDES/SDS Industrial Permit or Industrial Waste Disposal Permit
a feedlot operation? Check with LGU MPCA NPDES/SDS Feedlot Permit
a coastal zone (Lake Superior)? Check Coastal Zone DNR Special Permit Conditions Apply
the Mississippi River Critical Area (MRCA)? Check MRCA DNR Special Permit Conditions Apply
a shoreland district? Check with LGU LGU Special Permit Conditions Apply
a floodplain, floodway, or flood zone? Check FEMA maps LGU Special Permit Conditions Apply
a wilderness area? Check Wilderness Areas NPS, USFS, BLM, USFWS Special Permit Conditions Apply
a scientific or natural area? Check SNAs DNR Special Permit Conditions Apply
a lake improvement district? Check with LGU LGU Special Permit Conditions Apply
a dewatering site? Check project plans DNR Water Appropriations Permit
a watershed district or water management organization? Check WD/WMOs WD/WMO,BWSR Watershed Permits
an Indian Reservation? Check Reservations Tribal government Tribal Permits
federally protected land? Check with LGU NPS, USFS, BLM, USFWS Special Permit Conditions Apply
a source water protection area? Check with LGU LGU, MDH Special Permit Conditions Apply
a drinking water protection area? Check with LGU LGU, MDH Special Permit Conditions Apply
a karst area? Check Karst DNR, LGU Special Permit Conditions Apply
a wellhead protection area? Check with LGU LGU, MDH Special Permit Conditions Apply
Step 4: Compile a list of agencies to consult and permits you may need (from lines marked “yes” above):
Agency to consult: Permits which may be required:
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Step 5: Consult your local zoning authority and watershed organization for more information on local regulations/requirements/permits
Local Zoning Authority: Local Watershed Organization:
Contact Name: Contact Name:
Address: Address:
City, State, Zip: City, State, Zip:
Telephone: Telephone:
Email: Email:
Web: Web: