Levee Safety Program

-- Under Development based on potential Federal Guidelines. --

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood damage reduction mission began with the 1917 Flood Control Act. The act gave the Corps a significant role in flood activities nationwide, to include the protection of life and property behind federal program levee systems. Hurricane Katrina’s and Rita’s devastation in 2005 brought levee safety to the forefront of public awareness. The findings of subsequent investigations into the flood damage reduction system’s performance in New Orleans clearly pointed to the need for a comprehensive and risk-informed approach to national levee safety, including periodic reassessments. Subsequent to that event, Congress enacted the National Levee Safety Program with passage of the 2007 Water Resources Development Act, Title IX. The Corps’ Levee Safety Program emphasizes the role of levees in flood damage reduction to avoid loss of life and property damage.

The Division of Water Resource Management (DWRM) issues permits to demonstrate compliance with its administrative rules. The Division issues permits for work in and along the rivers, lakes and streams of the state, including Lake Michigan, for activities in and along the public waters, and for the construction and maintenance of dams.

January 15, 2014 a new Permit Application Fee went into effect. All applications and written inquiries received will be reviewed free of charge to determine whether or not the Public Water, dam and/or floodway work proposed requires authorization by the Department, so long as sufficient information is provided for the Department to make that determination.

In 2017, five levees were selected for the pilot program. Once approval from the communities is granted and information gathering is complete, a schedule will be developed for inspection and screening of each levee

Permit Fee Notice

OWR Fees FAQ