What is a General Permit and Certificate of Coverage?
A General Permit (GP) is a permit for a category of aquatic nuisance control activities that EGLE has determined will not negatively impact human health and will have no more than minimal short-term adverse impacts on the natural resources and environment. If a treatment site is eligible for coverage under a GP, an applicant may choose to apply for a Certificate of Coverage (COC) in place of an individual or standard permit. A COC provides written authorization from EGLE to implement a project under the terms outlined in a GP.
To view the current ANC GPs, please go to the General Permits and Pre-Approved Lists of Specific Waterbodies Eligible for Certificates of Coverage (COC) website.
The GPs for ponds and Great Lakes canals and marinas have pre-qualified waterbody lists. If a waterbody is not found on the approved waterbody list, the waterbody is not eligible to be covered under a GP, and the project must go through the individual or standard application process. Each year EGLE reviews newly permitted waterbodies and treatment sites to assess their eligibility for coverage under a GP. If a waterbody is eligible, it may be added to the candidate waterbody list for the following year. In addition, a permittee may request that a waterbody or treatment site be considered for GP eligibility by contacting the ANC Program.