Regulatory Agencies | Wisconsin DNR

Regulatory Agencies | Wisconsin DNR

Home » Yahara Waterway » Regulatory Agencies | Wisconsin DNR
The DNR regulates activities that may impact navigable waters below the ordinary high water mark. The DNR implements a three-tier system of project authorization based on the expected level of environmental impact: exemptions, general permits and individual permits.

Link to WI DNR Waterway Protection Waterways Permitting Process

The City of Stoughton has submitted a permit application to WI DNR for their proposed project.

Link to Permit Application

Public Notices for permit applications under review are published on the WI DNR website. WI DNR has not yet published a Public Notice for the City of Stoughton's permit application.

Link to WI DNR Public Notices of Waterway Protection Permit Applications in Dane County

WI DNR status update of review of the Stoughton Dam reconstruction:

DNR has reviewed the draft plans that were provided with the application, and sent out some initial technical/engineering review comments to the applicant and their engineer in late June. DNR is still awaiting revised draft plans in response to these comments, and once they arrive, it’s likely there will be some additional back-and-forth with the applicant before their engineering review is complete.

As of August 22, 2022, DNR stated that they are still quite early in the review process, and it is likely to be some time before the project is ready for public input. DNR also commented that plan approvals to repair or reconstruct dams aren’t subject to the same statutory requirements for public notice as permits for new dams or other waterway IPs. However, DNR indicated that they plan to work with the City of Stoughton as they continue their review to make sure that appropriate forums are available to provide the public (including residents of Pleasant Springs) with relevant information about the potential impacts of the project, particularly water level changes, and to offer an opportunity for comment.
 


 
The DNR regulates activities that may impact navigable waters below the ordinary high water mark. The DNR implements a three-tier system of project authorization based on the expected level of environmental impact: exemptions, general permits and individual permits.

Link to WI DNR Waterway Protection Waterways Permitting Process

The City of Stoughton has submitted a permit application to WI DNR for their proposed project.

Link to Permit Application

Public Notices for permit applications under review are published on the WI DNR website. WI DNR has not yet published a Public Notice for the City of Stoughton's permit application.

Link to WI DNR Public Notices of Waterway Protection Permit Applications in Dane County

WI DNR status update of review of the Stoughton Dam reconstruction:

DNR has reviewed the draft plans that were provided with the application, and sent out some initial technical/engineering review comments to the applicant and their engineer in late June. DNR is still awaiting revised draft plans in response to these comments, and once they arrive, it’s likely there will be some additional back-and-forth with the applicant before their engineering review is complete.

As of August 22, 2022, DNR stated that they are still quite early in the review process, and it is likely to be some time before the project is ready for public input. DNR also commented that plan approvals to repair or reconstruct dams aren’t subject to the same statutory requirements for public notice as permits for new dams or other waterway IPs. However, DNR indicated that they plan to work with the City of Stoughton as they continue their review to make sure that appropriate forums are available to provide the public (including residents of Pleasant Springs) with relevant information about the potential impacts of the project, particularly water level changes, and to offer an opportunity for comment.