Grant County, WI Environmental Rules: Erosion Control (2026)

Article VIII of the Shoreland Protection Ordinance governs filling, grading, lagooning, dredging, ditching and excavating. Section 316-31 allows these activities only in accordance with § NR 115.04 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, Ch. 30 of the Wisconsin Statutes and other state and federal laws where applicable, and only if done in a manner designed to minimize erosion, sedimentation and impairment of fish and wildlife habitat and natural scenic beauty. Work below the permit thresholds is allowed under § 316-32 if it is not done within the vegetative buffer zone unless necessary for establishing or expanding the buffer or constructing an exempt structure, is designed to minimize erosion and sedimentation, has all applicable federal, state and local authority in addition to a permit under the chapter, and protects any fill with riprap, vegetative cover or a bulkhead.

Section 316-33 requires a permit for filling or grading within 300 feet landward of the ordinary high-water mark with surface drainage toward the water: any filling or grading on slopes of more than 20%, more than 1,000 square feet on slopes of 12% to 20%, and more than 2,000 square feet on slopes less than 12%. A permit is also required for construction or dredging on an artificial waterway, canal, ditch, lagoon, pond, lake or similar waterway within 300 feet landward of the ordinary high-water mark or intended to connect with a navigable body of water.

Section 316-34 adds conditions where appropriate: the smallest amount of bare ground exposed for as short a time as feasible; temporary ground cover such as mulch or jute netting plus permanent vegetative cover; diversion berms or bales, silting basins, terraces and filter fabric fencing; fill stabilized to accepted engineering standards; lagoons built to avoid fish trap conditions; and channels with side slopes of two units horizontal to one unit vertical or flatter, promptly vegetated unless bulkheads or riprap are provided. Under § 316-53B the application goes to the Zoning Administrator with a to-scale site plan and the appropriate fee.