Erosion Control

WisDOT is required to obtain coverage under a stormwater discharge permit for any department directed and supervised project or action that has one acre or more of land disturbing construction activity. This requirement is from the federal Clean Water Act and associated National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements. In Wisconsin, the DNR has delegated authority from EPA to issue stormwater discharge permits for non-tribal lands through the Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) requirements. On tribal lands, EPA is responsible for issuing stormwater discharge permits under NPDES requirements.

Stormwater discharge permits are required prior to beginning land disturbing activities and remain in place until the project has met the final stabilization criteria, typically a 70% density vegetation requirement, and the Notice of Termination (NOT) has been approved by the regulatory authority.

Generally, WisDOT construction activities with one acre or more of land disturbing construction activity are regulated under one of the following permits:

Non-Tribal Lands

• Agency - DNR
• Permit Program - WPDES
• Permit Name - Transportation Construction General Permit (TCGP)
• WPDES - TCGP Links:
  
  • Permit Document: Transportation Construction General Permit (TCGP)
  • DNR water permits site (Note: WisDOT permits are a the bottom of the page)
  • Memo - Important Changes to TCGP NOI Process  May 20, 2026
    • An information session on these charges was held on both May 26, 2026 and June 25, 2026. The June 25th recording is here: Recording: Information Session (June 25, 2026)
      

For more information on stormwater discharge permitting requirements, applying for coverage, terminating coverage, and administering the permit requirements, please refer to the following guidance:

Stormwater Discharge Permitting for WisDOT Directed and Supervised Projects August 2026

See the forms and tools page for factor sheets and guidance

WisDOT Erosion Control Implementation Plan (ECIP) Templates & Guidance:

• Initial Submittal Form (DT1073)
• Form A - Amendment Submittal Form (DT1073A)
• Form B - Structure Information (DT1073B)
• Form C - Temporary Support Activity Sites and Other Support Activity Sites (DT1073C)
• Form D - Site Shared Use Agreement (DT1073D)
• Form E - Site Transfer Agreement (DT1073E)
• Guidance Document (DT1073i)

WisDOT Construction Erosion and Sediment Inspection form DT1072

WisDOT Erosion Control Order form DT1074

Fact Sheet: Disposal of Diamond Grinding / Concrete Slurry Wastewater from WisDOT Directed and Supervised Projects (Interim Strategy - July 2026, Draft)

Concrete truck washout BMP guidance

Erosion Control Inspections

Water Diversion

Construction Recordkeeping

Dewatering

Please note additional erosion control training is available in the WisDOT LearnCenter for Staff or the WisDOT LearnCenter for consultants and contractors. There is additional information on the LearnCenter for consultants, contractors and municipalities.

WisDOT Environmental Program and Contacts page

DNR Transportation Staff

County Land and Water Conservation directory

Erosion Control Product Acceptability List (PAL)

Erosion Control Matrices (FDM 10-5-35, Attachments 35.1 and 35.2)

DNR Dewatering Permit Flow Chart

DOT-DNR Cooperative Agreement (under the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources heading)

DNR Permit Lookup Websites:

• Stormwater Permits
• Industrial Permits