Federal Consistency

​Federal Consistency​

The federal Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) requires that all federal actions that may have reasonably foreseeable effects on the uses o​​​​r resources of a state’s coastal zone be consistent with the enforceable policies of the state’s coastal management program. ​

Review Process​

​Through its federal consistency review authority, the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP) has broad opportunities to influence federal government activities, construction, funding,​ permitting and other actions ​proposed within the coastal zone. It promotes coordination between state and federal policies, programs, and agencies.

The review process relies on and seeks to improve existing state programs. Federal regulations (15 CFR 930) establish the basic policies and procedures for coastal states, federal agencies, and other affected parties pertaining to the federal consistency review process.

1. If you are involved in a federal action that may be subject to federal consistency review, please see the relevant federal consistency section of the program documen​t and the Specific State Coastal Policies. The program document describes the federally-approved Wisconsin Coastal Management Program​​​​​.
2. ​For more general information on federal consistency, please see the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s website, Applying Federal Consistency​. 
   
3. Questions? Need to submit a consistency certification or consistency determination? Please contact WCMP Federal Consistency staff. 
   

​Reference Documents:

Projects Recently Reviewed​:​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Saxon Harbor Federal Navigation Channel Dredging and Sediment Placement: Saxon, Iron County, Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP), State of Wisconsin, Department of Administration, has received a consistency determination and supporting information and data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Detroit District, regarding dredging and placement of material from the Saxon Harbor Federal Navigation Channel, in Saxon, Iron County, Wisconsin. The proposed action includes maintenance dredging of the Saxon Harbor federal navigation channel, with placement of up to 17,000 cubic yards starting 600 feet west of the western harbor breakwater and extending for an additional 1,900 feet from the ordinary high water mark to the -8’ underwater contour. WCMP’s public comment period ended on March 5, 2026. 

WCMP completed review and responded to the applicant. View or download WCMP's lett​er​​ ​ (PDF, 2 pages)​

​USDA Wildlife Services: Environmental Assessment on Beaver Damage Management in Wi​​​​sconsin ​

The Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP), State of Wisconsin, Department of Administration, received a consistency determination and supporting information and data from the United States Department of Agriculture, Animal, and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services (WS) regarding their Environmental Assessment (EA) on alternatives for beaver damage management in the State of Wisconsin. Beaver damage management activities in Wisconsin may be conducted within the state coastal zone which includes the 15 counties adjacent to Lake Superior and Lake Michigan, as well as watersheds that drain into the Great Lakes. WCMP’s public comment period ended February 28, 2026. 

WCMP completed review of the project and responded to the applicant. View or download WCMP’s letter (PDF, 2 pages)​

Na​​​tio​​​​nwide Permits​

The Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP) received a consistency determination​ and supporting information and data​ from the US Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), St. Paul District, regarding the reissuance of Nationwide Permits (NWPs). NWPs are issued by the Corps to authorize categories of activities under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899 that have no more than minimal individual and cumulative adverse environmental effects. WCMP’s public comment period ended August 5, 2025.

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