Public Waters Work Permit Program
Description
The Water Permits Unit oversees the administration of the Public Waters Work Permit Program. This program, begun in 1937, regulates water development activities below the ordinary high water level (OHWL) in public waters and public waters wetlands. These areas are identified on maps available for viewing at numerous locations, including this web page, or they can be purchased through Minnesota's Bookstore. Examples of development activities addressed by this program include filling, excavation, shore protection, bridges and culverts, structures, docks, marinas, water level controls, dredging, and dams. Field staff serve as the primary contacts for this program, and most activities can be authorized at either DNR Waters area or regional offices. The program staff in St. Paul provides policy guidance, program coordination with other water and wetland resource protection programs, permit decision appeal processing, and permit data management services.
Announcements
Structures in Public Waters Rule Revision
New Information Concerning Docks
General Permit Issued by DNR to MnDOT
- General Permit Issued by DNR to MnDOT, February 2004
(0.5 Mb) - Best Practices for Meeting DNR General Public Waters Work Permit 2004-0001, March 2006 (12.0 Mb)
For CAD-ready versions of this document, contact Peter Leete at peter.leete@dot.state.mn.us or by phone at 651-296-6569.
Changes to DNR's Public Waters Work Permit Rules
- Press Release Announcing Changes (October 2002)
- Changes Relating to Docks, Moorings, and Commercial Marinas (May 2003)
Staff
- Tom Hovey, Public Waters Hydrologist, (651) 259-5654, tom.hovey@dnr.state.mn.us
- John Fax, Hydrologist, (651) 259-5667, john.fax@dnr.state.mn.us
- Peter Leete, Hydrologist, (651) 296-6569, peter.leete@dnr.state.mn.us
