Generally it will take from 30 to 90 days from the time you apply until a decision is made on your permit. Other factors include: 

• The size and complexity of your project. 
• The number of corrections and additional information that are required for your original application to be administratively complete. 
• If the project requires a Public Notice or a Public Hearing. 
• The season of the year, with spring and summer being the busiest. 
• Payment choice. Applications paid by check are held for 3 weeks until check has cleared. Credit Card and Electronic Fund Transfer is available and are not subject to the waiting period. 

2. Where should I send my permit application? 

Permit applications should be sent to the Permit Consolidation Unit (PCU) in Lansing at: 

DEQ, WRD, PCU
P.O. BOX 30458
LANSING, MI 48909-7704 

Applications that meet the minor category under the appropriate regulatory part may be send directly to the District Office with jurisdiction, only if application fee is paid by credit card or electronic fund transfer.  

All applications for projects in Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gratiot, Ingham, Lapeer, Livingston, and Shiawassee Counties should be mailed to the Lansing District office: 

DEQ, WRD Lansing District
P.O. Box 30202
Lansing, MI 48909-7742 

Permit applications from Public Transportation Agencies should be mailed to the Transportation and Flood Hazard Unit (TFHU) at: 

DEQ, WRD, TFHU
P.O. Box 30458
Lansing, MI 48909-7958 

3. How can I know if my application has been received and is being processed? 

All applications are entered into the Coastal and Inland Waters Permit Information System (CIWPIS) data base. This system provides an on-line service that allows you to follow your application through the review process. You can expect your application to be entered into CIWPIS within 2 days of receipt. 

4. How soon will WRD staff begin working on my application? 

Applications are processed in the date order in which they are received. Typically, review for administrative completeness begins within 7 to 21 days of receipt. The review time ranges from 7 to 45 days, depending on how complete the application is when submitted, and the need for additional information and clarification. Once the administrative review is completed, files will be sent to the district offices for technical review. 

5. What items must be submitted with an application so it can be determined "complete" as submitted, without requiring additional information? 

• Check all the items on the review list at the top of the application. Be sure to use the most current application, available on line at www.michigan.gov/jointpermit. 
• Fully complete all of Sections 1 through 9. Fully complete the specific sections 10-21 that relate to your project. 
• Certify the application with a Signature, signed by the owner of the property, agent or corporation. NOTE: A letter of authorization from the owner must be included if someone other than the property owner signs the application. 
• Provide the correct application fee determined from the WRD fee schedule, available on Appendix B of the application. It is preferable that the fee be paid by credit card or electronic fund transfer. Payment by check, payable to the State of Michigan, is acceptable; however, the application will be held 3 weeks until the payment is cleared. 
• Provide a clear and legible vicinity map and directions to the proposed site; include the closest main roads. Aerials may be provided, but not in place of a map. 
• Provide photographs of the proposed work site. 
• Provide a site plan that shows all of the work proposed within the boundaries of your parcel; the dimensions of structures and the volumes of excavation (dredge) and fill; wetland, floodplain boundaries or ordinary high water mark and current water mark; and the type of materials that will be used. 
• Provide cross sections of the existing and proposed work with dimensions and volumes of excavation (dredge) and fill. 
• Make sure that all data provided on the application correspond with attached diagrams and plans. 
• Provide information about any previous work done on the parcel with or without a permit. 
• Provide black and white legible 8 ½ by 11 inch copy of the plans. Larger plans may be provided in addition, if they are required for adequate detail for review. 

6. Why and when would I receive a letter that requests more information? 

If during the application review process your application is determined to be incomplete, you will be contacted immediately by phone, email or letter. WRD is required to ask for additional application fees or any missing information within 30 days of receipt of the application. More information may be required if the additional information provided is unclear inconsistent, or incomplete. You have a maximum of 30 days to provide all requested information to make the file complete, or the file will be closed due to administrative incompleteness. Fees are not refundable. In some instances extension requests are available and you will be notified if this is the case. 

7. When will my file go to the appropriate DEQ District Office? 

When an application is determined to have the appropriate fee and all the administrative information required for field staff technical review or public notice, your application will be sent to your local field office and you will be notified by letter. The letter will include your file number, field contact, and telephone number. If your application requires public noticing, you will also receive a copy of the public notice specifying the corresponding comment period. 

8. How and when will my file be processed in the District Office? 

District Office processing times for technical review usually ranges from 60 to 90 days. Processing times will be longer if a public notice is required or if a public hearing is held. Field staff will begin the technical review and conduct a site inspection based on the date order of which the application was determine administratively complete. During the field inspection staff may determine that the application does not fully represent the proposed project and may contact you for additional information prior to making a permit decision. In some case, this may mean that the application completeness date will change. 

9. What if a federal permit is also required? 

If the proposed activity is in Section 10 Waters (Great Lakes, Lake St. Clair) a copy of the permit application will be sent to the Detroit District Office, US Army Corps of Engineers for processing at the federal level at the time staff determined it to be administratively complete. (www.lre.usace.army.mil/ or call 313-226-2218). Outside of Section 10 Waters, if the permit application requires federal review due to impact, it will be sent to the Environmental Protection Agency for comment. 

10. Is there other information available to assist me in putting together a complete application? 

Guidance and information is available on line at www.michigan.gov/jointpermit. For simple, minor projects there is a series of EZ Guides to help you fill out the application and provide appropriate diagrams. For more complex projects or for more detail, a Joint Application Training Manual is available. Additionally, pre-application meetings are available. A request form is available on the "jointpermit" website, or you may call your district office to make arrangements. 

Additional Questions? 

If you have any questions about the permitting process or if you need to modify your application, you can contact the PCU at 517-373-9244, send an email to DEdeq-wrd-jointpermit@michigan.gov or mail the PCU at the address above.