e-permitting for Chapter 105 General Permits, Water Obstructions and Encroachments
As part of Governor Wolf’s commitment to improve the permitting process, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has launched an ePermit for Chapter 105 Wetland and Waterway Obstruction and Encroachment General Permits to make application submittal and review more efficient and enable faster responses to applicants.
DEP began accepting Chapter 105 registrations/applications for General Permits for various types of water obstruction and encroachments through the e-permitting system in October 2018. The DEP is transitioning away from paper to online electronic permit applications through e-permitting.
Opportunity for Input While in Beta
The ePermit application is fully functional and available for use to submit general permit applications, but it is in a “beta” test phase. We are creating an opportunity for users to provide feedback. Applicants are encouraged to send comments and suggestions on the ePermit to a dedicated email account:
RA-EPBWEWEPERDWET105@pa.gov. All messages will be reviewed and considered for future improvements. We intend to use this input to perfect a tool that creates transparency, consistency, efficiency and speeds up the process.
How e-permitting Works
e-permitting is different than the traditional process where an application or registration is submitted to DEP is one form or another. The system is account based. Like many other online accounts, communications, drafts, past history, etc. will be available. Therefore, the account manager will need to manage the applicant/owner account for all submissions, not just one submission.
Because this is account based, how applicants/owners work with consultants does change.
Please watch these System Overview Videos which help explain the overall framework of the e-permitting system related to Chapter 105.
Ch. 105 e-permitting – System Overview (2 min)
Ch. 105 e-permitting – User Role Overview (4 min)
Ch. 105 e-permitting – Dashboard Overview (4 min)
Accordion
Expand AllClick here for a more accessible versionUse of e-permitting is preferred and encouraged. However, in addition to the launch of the electronic permit application, the DEP will accept paper applications to accommodate those whose only option is a paper form. The paper application will remain an option until we're confident the online application is usable and reasonably accessible to the regulated community. Chapter 105 General Permit paper registration forms can be found on
DEP’s eLibrary.
Only applications/registrations for Chapter 105 General Permits are currently accepted through e-permitting.
Prospective applicants for projects requiring a standard permit or small project application, or an Environmental Assessments (EA) will continue using the Department of Environmental Protection and Department of Army Corps of Engineers (Baltimore, Philadelphia, And Pittsburgh Districts) Joint Application for Pennsylvania Chapter 105 Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permit and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 404 Permit,
Document #3150-PM-BWEW0036A.
The DEP or delegated Chapter 105 county conservation districts will continue to review the Chapter 105 General Permit applications/registrations for completeness and eligibility. The DEP or a Chapter 105 delegated county conservation district can only authorize activities when the activity meets the terms and conditions of the Chapter 105 General Permit. Therefore, it is imperative that potential applicants read the terms and conditions of the Chapter 105 General Permit(s) for which they are applying (see links below). Confirming that the activity meets the terms and conditions will result in quality applications and shorter timeframes for DEP or delegated county conservation district review and authorization.
Key Concepts to Understand
- e-permitting is an electronic process. This means the GP registration form is not used, electronic signatures are part of the system, and all communications will occur through the e-permitting system.
Note: other forms such as impact table, fee worksheet, etc. are still utilized.
- ALL users need to have and create their own account. This includes applicants and consultants.
- Each applicant must have an Electronic Filing Administrator (EFA). This EFA must be the applicant or be authorized to manage the applicant and user data and submit applications, such as an employee of the applicant company. The EFA manages and controls access of other users (employees, consultants, etc.)
- GP registrations that are reviewed by DEP will pay fees online and GP registrations reviewed by Delegated County Conservation Districts will mail fees to the appropriate conservation district.
- Users other than the EFA must request access from the EFA using the EFA’s ACCESS ID. This must be obtained from the EFA, DEP does not provide the access ID’s to users.
- Users must register for e-permitting for each DEP Program you wish to utilize e-permitting for. Example, if someone is already registered for e-permitting for Chapter 102, they will also have to register for e-permitting for Chapter 105.
- Chapter 105 e-permitting uses DEP’s Greenport. Greenport allows you to access multiple DEP online applications, including e-permitting .
Getting Started In Chapter 105 General Permit E-Permitting – User Guides Supplement and Summary. Also see full user guides below.
1. Unless one has already been created, a prospective user will need to create a GreenPort account to access e-permitting.
See the Username & Password Enrollment User Guide.
2. Once a person/user is registered and enrolled, they can access e-permitting either through GreenPort or directly.
Note: Greenport Accounts are not Corporate Accounts, but are accounts for an individual person.
The Applicant is required to have an Electronic Filing Administrator (EFA). The EFA is a person who has authority to manage the applicant and user data and submit applications and is responsible for managing the applications and other user access. EFAs should follow the EFA enrollment instructions in the Enrollment User Guide. We have also created helpful walkthrough videos to assist you with the registration process. View them below.
System Updates on December 15, 2021 have significant improvements for EFA and consultant enrollment processes. The Videos will be updated as soon as possible.
If a user is a member or employee of the applicant organization but does not have authority to submit or manage data or users for the applicant, they will need to register as a non-EFA user. See Registering for e-permitting - Users/Consultants below.
User information from the EFA enrollment request will require DEP verification and linkage to existing DEP records, if any. An EFA may start new General Permit Registration draft while the EFA Client registration is being reviewed and completed by DEP.
Note: When consultants or non-EFA users register to work with an EFA’s company, an EFA must approve their enrollment request. See the How To Review Consultant Enrollment User Guide for instructions on this process.
1. Unless one has already been created, a prospective user will need to create a GreenPort account to access e-permitting.
See the Username & Password Enrollment User Guide.
2. Once a person/user is registered and enrolled, they can access e-permitting either through GreenPort or directly.
3. Consultants are typically considered Users or Operators and not EFAs. Consultants or other uses should follow the enrollment instructions in the Enrollment User Guide.
Note: Greenport Accounts are not Corporate Accounts but are accounts for an individual person.
Consultant for Individual in EFA Registration is for assisting individuals without internet/computer access and must be completed with the applicant physically present with the consultant at the computer.
DEP created a walkthrough video to assist you in the Ch. 105 registration process.
System Updates on December 15, 2021 have made significant improvements for EFA and consultant enrollment processes. The Videos will be updated as soon as possible.
System Updates on December 15, 2021 have made significant improvements for EFA and consultant enrollment processes. The Videos and User Guides will be updated as soon as possible.
Fees for the various Chapter 105 General Permits may be determined by utilizing the
Chapter 105 Fee Calculation Worksheet, 3150-PM-BWEW0553