The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) originally issues GP-0-20-004 (PDF) – Great Lakes Erosion Control in 2020. In 2025, DEC modified and re-issued this General Permit for an additional five years under GP-0-25-010 (PDF).
GP-0-20-004
GP-0-20-004 was issued in 2020 with an effective date of May 8, 2020, and an expiration date of May 7, 2025. Effective May 8, 2025, this permit is being replaced by the modified and re-issued permit GP-0-25-010 discussed below.
Projects with valid coverage under the 2020 permit (GP-0-20-004) through May 7, 2025, that have not been complete will be authorized under the 2025 permit (GP-0-25-010) to continue the activity from May 8, 2025, until December 31, 2025, unless otherwise notified by DEC. If the project will not be complete by December 31, 2025, an application for coverage under GP-0-25-010 must be submitted as explained below.
GP-0-25-010
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has issued a general permit for various shoreline stabilization and structural repair activities in state-regulated coastal erosion hazard area, protected waterbodies, and freshwater wetlands along Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, Niagara River, and St. Lawrence River, including affected portions of wetlands, navigable bays, and tributaries. The Great Lakes Erosion Control General Permit (GP-0-25-010) is effective on May 8, 2025 for a five-year term for the purpose of shore protection to safeguard existing infrastructure and property.
Before doing any work under the General Permit, individuals must apply for coverage under the General Permit and then receive written approval from DEC for the work proposed. Applications must include all the following items and be sent to the appropriate DEC Regional Office identified in the instructions:
- A properly completed application form,
- Project location map,
- Site photographs,
- Project drawings, including overhead (plan) and side (cross-section) views.
The application form and detailed application instructions are provided below. Also provided below is the General Permit containing a full description of the types of activities eligible for coverage, along with all the terms and conditions.
- General Permit 0-25-010 (PDF)
- General Permit 0-25-010 Application (PDF)
- Application Instructions for General Permit 0-25-010 (PDF)
Any questions concerning the eligibility of a project for coverage under the General Permit, or assistance in completing an application, may be directed to the Division of Environmental Permits staff in the DEC regional office covering the county where the project is located.
Only the types of projects listed below are eligible for coverage. All other types of projects, or projects that exceed the limits contained in the General Permit, are ineligible and require an individual permit from DEC.
- New shoreline stabilization measures that consist predominately of vegetative stabilization or bioengineering techniques. Structures must be no greater than 200 feet in length and 10 feet in height and must be sloped no steeper than 1.5H to 1V and not extend waterward of the existing shoreline. Stone or other materials used must be sized appropriately and placed as close to the toe of the slope as possible.
- Repair and in-kind replacement of existing functional erosion protection structures. The repair or replacement of these structures must not extend waterward of the pre-existing footprint, except where the Department accepts an applicant's demonstration that minor deviations are necessary for the stability of the structure. Increase in structure height may be approved if appropriate. Replacement structures must be adequately sized and designed.
- New stone necessary for the stabilization of existing, functional, vertical erosion protection structures along CEHA bluffs or non-CEHA areas. Stone must be sized appropriately for the location. Minor deviations in the original structure's configuration, including those due to changes in materials, construction techniques, or current construction codes or safety standards that are necessary to make the repair, rehabilitation, or replacement are authorized. Not applicable along CEHA beach or dune shorelines.
- New sloped rock revetment structures along CEHA bluffs or non-CEHA areas, that are necessary for the emergency stabilization of existing and functional dwellings, septic systems, and non-residential structures. Structures must be no greater than 100 feet in length and 10 feet in height and must be sloped no steeper than 1.5H to 1V and not extend waterward of the existing shoreline as it existed immediately prior to a discrete erosion event no more than 6 months prior to the time of permit application. Stone must be sized appropriately and placed as close to the toe of the slope as possible. Not applicable along CEHA beach or dune shorelines.
- Replacement of a vertical wall with a new sloped rock revetment structure. Structures must be no greater than 100 feet in length and 10 feet in height and must be sloped no steeper than 1.5H to 1V and not extend waterward of the pre-existing wall footprint except where the Department accepts an applicant’s demonstration that minor deviations are necessary for the stability of the structure, Stone must be appropriately sized.
- Emergency repair of functional concrete or steel vertical breakwalls along CEHA bluffs or non-CEHA areas, by installation of sheet piling immediately adjacent to the existing lakeward vertical face when in-place repair is not possible. Not applicable along CEHA beach or dune shorelines.
- Repair or in-kind reconstruction of existing public roads, bridges, utilities, boat launches, and other public infrastructure.
- Stabilization of existing functional storm-damaged dwellings, non-residential structures, garages, decks and walkways with temporary bracing and pilings.
- Repair or in-kind reconstruction of elevated walkways or stairways necessary for water access. The stairs and landings shall be a maximum of 4 feet in width and constructed a minimum of 18 inches above grade over the dune or bluff face.
- Minor grading back of the top of eroded bluffs or banks landward to a stable slope. Application must include an approved vegetation plan. Toe stone for stabilization may be allowed in specific circumstances. Not applicable along CEHA beach or dune shorelines.
- Removal of debris by use of motorized equipment.
- Temporary installation of sandbags or other Department approved temporary flood protection devices located above Mean High Water (MHW). Sandbags may be conventional size or large (cubic yard or larger).
- Removal of channel blockages of streams tributary to Lake Ontario and Lake Erie blocked by shoreline sediment or other naturally-deposited materials in amounts up to 25-cubic yards. Application must include a sediment placement plan.
- Removal of up to 25 cubic yards of storm-deposited material from below MHW in areas directly adjacent to existing structures (e.g. boathouses, marinas, etc.), or in areas where removal of material is required for continued navigation, to restore conditions as they existed immediately prior to a discrete erosion/storm event occurring no more than 6 months prior to the time of permit application. Application must include a material placement plan.
- Repair or in-kind reconstruction of previously authorized docks, catwalks and floats located within CEHA areas and within DEC regulated freshwater wetlands or wetland adjacent areas.
