Minor Maintenance Dredging and Permitting
Presented by:
Joseph S. Keller
Executive Director
Fox Waterway Agency
FWA Watershed Education Meeting – October 29, 2023
This presentation provides an overview of regulatory requirements, permitting processes, and best practices related to performing minor dredging activities in the Fox River and Chain O’Lakes waterway system, focusing on how property owners and the Fox Waterway Agency can obtain the necessary approvals—especially from agencies like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources—before conducting small‑scale dredging projects that help maintain navigable depths and water access. It includes information on which types of dredging qualify for general permits, how to apply, and the importance of complying with environmental and navigational regulations to minimize impacts on the waterway and surrounding ecosystem.
