The EGLE/USACE Joint Permit Application (JPA) covers permit requirements derived from state and federal rules and regulations for construction activities where the land meets the water. This joint permit prevents duplication of state and federal permitting and provides simultaneous review for activities on or for wetlands, floodplains, dams, inland lakes, streams, Great Lakes bottomlands, critical sand dunes, environmental Areas of Concern, and high risk erosion areas. 

The applicant must submit the Joint Permit Application through MiEnviro Portal, our online permitting site. Through MiEnviro Portal, you can submit online payment of permit application fees, check the status of your application, and search for current public notices and hearing notices.

• How to fill out the Joint Permit Application
• Save time and money - request a pre-application meeting with our permitting staff
• Learn about the applicable regulations related to your project

Areas considered part of the land/water interface (where the land and water meet) include lakes, rivers, Great Lakes, ponds, dams, wetlands, floodplains, drains, ditches, swamps, shorelines, streams, creeks, and marshlands. Common projects in these areas include docks, piers, boat wells, boat hoists, boat lifts, boardwalks, fences, decks, and more. 

EGLE has developed a guidance document to help determine if you need an EGLE permit for your project.

Does my project need a permit? 

If you do, a Joint Permit Application will need to be submitted through MiEnviro Portal. Visit the EGLE/USACE Joint Permit Application webpage for more information on applying for a joint permit.

Generally it will take from 30 to 90 days from the time we receive a complete application 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. 
• Correct application fee paid by check made out to the State of Michigan or by credit card within MiEnviro.  Refer to Permit Application Payment Options.

EGLE's Water Resources Division has transitioned to MiEnviro, a web-based permitting and compliance database.  In 2019, the application process became fully electronic and the application is a form in MiEnviro and will be submitted through the system. You will also pay application fees online using MiEnviro.

Applications will be assigned in the system to District staff based on geographic location and project type (ex: Hydrologic Studies and Dam Safety Unit (HSDSU) and Transportation Review Unit (TRU)). Projects crossing District boundaries will typically be assigned to the District in which the majority of the work will be performed.

Consult our Joint Permit Application fee list to help you identify what fees may apply to your project.

EGLE's Water Resources Division has transitioned to MiEnviro, a web-based permitting and compliance database.  MiEnviro can be used to check the status of your application. MiEnviro will send you notices when deadlines are approaching or information is required.

Application processing begins when the application is received.  Typically, review for administrative completeness begins within 0 to 14 days of receipt.  The completeness review time ranges from 0 to 45 days, depending on how complete the application is when submitted, and the need for additional information, clarification, or fees.  Once the necessary information is received, the application is processed as expeditiously as possible.  Some projects may be posted for a 20-45 day public notice period.

• READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS THOROUGHLY! Check all the items on the instructions list prior to starting submission of the application. JPA online application submittal instructions.
• Fully complete all required Sections. The application requires certain questions to be answered and will not allow submittal if not completed.
• Provide the correct application fee determined in MiEnviro. The scope of the project you are applying for in your application will determine your fees and will be calculated by the application form. Payment must be submitted online using MiEnviro.

If during the application review process your application is determined to be incomplete, you will receive notification in MiEnviro and be contacted by phone, email or letter requesting clarification, amplification, or correction of the application or additional fees, if necessary.  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.

Technical review time usually ranges from 1 to 90 days.  Processing times may be longer if a public notice is required or if a public hearing is held.  Staff will begin the technical review and conduct a site inspection once the application is determined to be 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.  Decision extension requests are available, if requested by the applicant.

If the proposed activity is in Section 10 Waters (Great Lakes, Lake St. Clair, large navigable waters) 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.  (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 US Environmental Protection Agency for comment. 

Guidance and information is available online at EGLE/USACE Joint Permit Application Page.  Additionally, pre-application meetings are available.  You may contact your district office to make arrangements.

You can contact our land and eater interface permitting staff with questions. Staff are assigned to each geographic area of the state, mostly by county.

For assistance with your project, you may want to hire an environmental consultant to assist you. We maintain a directory of environmental consultants as a service to Michigan business and residents.