Federal Consistency

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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 or resources of a state’s coastal zone be consistent with the enforceable policies of the state’s coastal management program. ​

Review Proces​s​

​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 document 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. 

​Documents:

Projects Under Review​:​​

US Army Corps of Engineers: Nationwide Permits Reissuance 

The Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP) has 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. The Corps is proposing to reissue its existing NWPs and associated general conditions and definitions, with some modifications. A full text of the NWPs is available on the Corps’ website.

The proposed activity is subject to review for consistency under the enforceable policies of the WCMP. The state’s enforceable policies are included within the WCMP’s Specific State Coastal Policies. (Please note that not all of the Specific State Coastal Polices are enforceable policies.) For additional information on the proposed project and federal consistency, contact federalconsistency@wisconsin.gov. 

Comments should be submitted through this form​. Please select “Other” from the drop-down menu. Comments will be accepted through August 5, 2025.

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Other Federal Actions

​To submit comments on other federal actions undergoing review for consistency under the polices of the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP), please use this form​. Select “Other” from the drop-down menu. ​


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Projects Recently Reviewed​:​

Menominee Harbor ​Federal Navigation Project

The Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP), State of Wisconsin, Department of Administration, received a consistency determination and supporting information (Encl 1: Wisconsin DNR letter; Encl 2: site figures) and data from the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) regarding a proposed deepening of the Menominee Harbor Federal Navigation Project, in Menominee, Michigan and Marinette, Wisconsin. WCMP’s public comment period ended June 30, 2025. 

WCMP completed review of the project and responded to the applicant. View or download WCMP’s letter.


I-535 Blatnik Bridge Project 

The Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP) has received correspondence from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) and US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) regarding a proposed bridge replacement between St. Louis County, Minnesota and Douglas County, Wisconsin. WCMP held a public hearing on May 22, 2025. The public comment period ended on May 2​3, 2025. 

WCMP completed review of the project and responded to the applicant. View or download WCMP’s letter​​ ​ (PDF, 22​​​3 pages)​


Line 5​ Segment Relocation

​The Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP), State of Wisconsin, Department of Administration, has received correspondence from the United States Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District Division (Corps) and Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership, on activities associated with the construction of the proposed Line 5 Wisconsin segment relocation project. The proposed activities are subject to review for consistency under the policies of the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP). WCMP’s public comment period ended on August 4, 2024. WCMP held a public hearing on August 15, 2024. 

​WCMP completed review of the project and responded to the applicant. View or download WCMP’s letter (PDF, 369 pages).

Additional information on Line 5 is available at WDNR’s website​.


Nemadji Trail Energ​y Center​​

The Wisconsin Coastal Management Program (WCMP), State of Wisconsin, Department of Administration, has received correspondence from the US Army Corps of Engineers and the applicant for a federal permit to discharge dredged and fill material in 54.7 acres of wetlands for the construction of the Nemadji Trail Energy Center and associated activities. The site for the Nemadji Trail Energy Center facility is in Douglas County, Wisconsin. The proposed activity is subject to review for consistency under the policies of the WCMP. WCMP’s public comment period ended on May 20. WCMP held a public hearing on June 7, 2024. 

WCMP completed review of the project and responded to the applicant. View or download WCMP’s letter​ (PDF, 350 pages).