Persons working in the woods might see an easier time getting a temporary permit to cross a public waterway. The DNR has opened a comment period on the permit changes.
DNR specialist Martin Griffin says people doing forest management would be affected. He says the proposed temporary in-stream crossing general permit modifies existing standards for temporary structures and allows for placement of additional types of crossings....
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"....the current general permit we have now specifically for the forest management didn't have the flexibility of crossings that the industry has been using..."
Griffin says the proposed permit modification groups together types of public water crossings...
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".....we modified the types(of crossings) you can have, how long the temporary structure can be placed, if you have a situation where the weather doesn't cooperate and the ground is really soft and you can't get to an area and you put in your crossing and can't access it, you wouldn't have to come and get a new permit,,,"
To promote year round forest management projects and address concerns about increased permit fees, the proposed permit allows applicants to apply for more than one crossing under a single application. The proposed permit would not impose additional fees if removal or reinstallation is needed after work is complete.
The statewide general permit process ensures applicants get a decision within 30 days.
More information on the proposal and comment instructions are on the DNR website in the search box, "temporary in-stream crossing".
