About Water Resources

Public Notices and Hearings

The Department of Environmental Quality’s Water Resources Division (WRD) is responsible for reviewing and processing permit applications that involve construction projects at the land/water interface and in certain other regulated areas. Applications for permits submitted pursuant to Part 301, Inland Lakes and Streams; Part 303, Wetlands Protection; Part 315, Dam Safety; and Part 325, Great Lakes Submerged Lands, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended, may require a Public Notice and in some cases a Public Hearing.

The WRD’s Coastal and Inland Waters Permit Information System - Public Notice and Hearings website is designed to provide information on an application to the public and an opportunity to comment electronically. A Public Notice contains a written summary of the proposed project, a copy of the application, and project plans as submitted by the applicant. The application can be reviewed on-line by clicking on the “Public Notice Date.” Public comment may be electronically submitted by selecting the Public Notice’s “Comment Period” date icon at any time during the 20-day public comment period. Governmental agencies have 45 days to provide comment on proposed projects within their jurisdiction for Part 303 applications. They may submit on-line comments during the 20-day public comment period or submit written comments prior to the end of the 45 day comment period. The comment period in all cases starts on the date of issuance of the Public Notice.

A Public Hearing provides another opportunity for interested citizens to comment on the proposed project to WRD staff. If a Public Hearing is scheduled, a posting date and final comment date is displayed. Information regarding the date, time, and location of the Public Hearing can be obtained by clicking on the “Public Hearing Date” icon. The Public Hearing record is held open for 10 days following the date of the actual hearing for submittal of on-line and written comments. Electronic comments may be submitted through this site by clicking on the Public Hearing’s “Comment Period” date icon at any time during this period. Written comments must be postmarked by the specified closing date.

Additional information on the review status of the application may be obtained through WRD’s Coastal and Inland Waters Permit Information System (CIWPIS) by clicking on the file number icon to automatically transfer to the CIWPIS site. To return to the Public Notices and Hearings website, either use the back button or click on the Public Notice or Public Hearing date.