Land Resource Permits

The Department of Natural Resources, under the direction of the Commissioner of Public Lands, administers many permits regulating the use of over 12.5 million acres of state and private land. Forest practices enforcement, surface mine regulation, and administration of other land resource permits, are among the Department's responsibilities.

• Forest Practices Permit: Forest Practices that may require a permit include: harvesting timber, salvaging standing and down wood, constructing forest roads, opening or expanding a rock pit on forest land for forestry use, installing and replacing water crossings on forest roads, and applying forest chemicals with an aircraft.
• Reclamation Permit: Surface mining; A reclamation permit is required by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for each surface mine that: (1) results in more than 3 acres of disturbed ground, or (2) has a high-wall that is both higher than 30 feet and steeper than 45 degrees.