PERMIT
PROGRAMS OF THE
DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCEMANAGEMENT
 The
Division of Water Resource Management (DWRM) issues permits to
demonstrate compliance with its regulatory programs. The Division
issues permits for work in and along the rivers lakes and streams
of the state, including Lake Michigan, for activities in and along
the public waters, and for the construction and maintenance of
dams. Prior to 1995, DWRM was part of the Illinois Department
of Transportation. All permits for work in water issued by the
Department of Transportation are now administered by DWRM.
Generally,
the division issues an individual formal permit to the applicant
to demonstrate compliance with the rules. In some cases, the division
has issued statewide, regional and general permits to reduce paperwork
for the applicant. The statewide and regional permits describe
a general project type and set limits on the scope of the work.
If the proposed work meets all the specified limits, the project
is approved under the statewide or regional permit. FOR PROJECTS
COVERED BY A STATEWIDE OR REGIONAL PERMIT, YOU DO NOT NEED TO
CONTACT THE DIVISION. General permits similarly cover a specific
type of project and are limited in scope. For projects covered
by a general permit an application submittal is still required.
The
division has four regulatory permit programs. They are referenced
by their administrative code section numbers as well as the program
name:
Part
3700 - Construction in Floodways of Rivers,
Lakes and Streams
The
division issues permits for construction projects that may impact
the flood carrying capacity of the rivers, lakes and streams.
These rules affect all streams and lakes except those regulated
under Part 3708. All construction activities, except dams regulated
under Part 3702, in the floodway of streams draining more than
one square mile in an urban area or ten square miles in a rural
area must be permitted by the division prior to construction.
Floodways are defined for many of these streams and appear on
the federal flood insurance program's flood hazard boundary maps.
Those maps are available for viewing at the local building and
/or zoning office. If a floodway has not been previously delineated,
division staff will determine whether the work is in the floodway.
Download
*.pdf version
Part
3702 - Construction and Maintenance of
Dams
The
division issues permits for the construction, operation and maintenance
of new dams and the operation and maintenance of dams which existed
prior to September 2, 1980. Dams are classified by the division
based on both size and hazard potential. There are three hazard
classifications. All dams in the two higher classifications are
required to have a permit under these rules. Dams in the lower
hazard classification require a permit for construction or modification
if they meet certain size criteria. Anyone proposing to construct
a new dam is recommended to submit a preliminary design report
to the division as early as possible. Download
*.pdf version
 |
Procedural
Guidelines for Preparation of Technical Data to be included
in Applications for Permits for Construction and Maintenance
of Dams |
| |
(Rev. 1/03) Download
*.pdf version |
Part
3704 - Regulation of Public Waters
The
division issues permits for activities in and adjacent to the
public waters of the state. The public waters may generally be
described as the commercially navigable lakes and streams of the
state and the backwater areas of those streams. A list of the
public waters is included in the rules. There are certain public
rights in the public waters that are reserved for the citizens
of the state. The division reviews proposed activity in and adjacent
to the public waters to ensure that the public's rights are not
diminished by the activity. Activities that require review are
not limited to construction. A permit is issued to demonstrate
that the activity does not diminish the public's rights. A construction
project in the public waters will require review under both 3704
and 3700, 3702 or 3708. Download
*.pdf version
Part
3706 - Regulation of Construction within
Flood Plains
These
rules require a permit for any construction in the floodplain
of specified streams. The major application of these rules was
on river basins in the Chicago area. These rules were generally
superceded by the Part 3708 rules. The rules still apply to the
Rock River below the mouth of the Green River. Statewide Permit
1 covers work in the delineated flood fringe in this area. Generally,
this area has the same permit requirements as other public waters
streams. Download
*.pdf version
Part
3708 - Floodway Construction in Northeastern
Illinois
These
rules require a permit for construction activities in identified
floodways in the 6 counties covered by the Northeastern Illinois
Section. Floodways are generally depicted on the community's Flood
Hazard Boundary Map. Projects are reviewed for potential to obstruct
flood flows. In addition, the proposed work must not create the
potential for flood damages that would require the expenditure
of public funds. A list of appropriate uses is given in the rules.
Projects that do not fit into one of the appropriate use categories
will not be permitted. The Part 3708 rules provide for the delegation
of this permit review to qualified local government units. You
do not need to submit an additional application to the division
if you are applying to a delegated agency for a building permit.
Download
*.pdf version
Part
3720 - Rules Establishing Horizontal and
Vertical Clearances for Bridges Over the Fox River
These
rules establish minimum horizontal and vertical clearances for
bridges over the Fox River from Algonquin to Route 173. The minimum
horizontal clearance is 100 feet and the minimum vertical clearance
is 15 feet above normal pool. Any person or entity proposing to
construct a bridge in that reach will be required to meet the
applicable provisions of the Part 3700 and 3704 rules and the
Part 3720 rules. Download
*.pdf version
Part
3730 - Allocation of Water from Lake Michigan
The
division also allocates water from Lake Michigan. This allocation
is handled in accordance with Part 3730 - Allocation of Water
from Lake Michigan. Water allocations are made through a hearing
and order procedure. Entities receiving an allocation of Lake
Michigan water receive an allocation permit.
Download
*.pdf version
To
go to the Frequently Asked Questions Page, click here.
To
download an application for permit package, click here.
To
read more about Lake Michigan water allocation, click here. |
