Permit plan · Herbicide, algaecide or pond dye

Your permit plan: Herbicide, algaecide or pond dye

Based on your answers. Cards are in the order you'll usually need them. Checked Oct 4, 2026.

Your answers (change any of them)

Who owns the water and the lakebed? A natural lake or river open to the public · change
What do you plan to put in the water? A pond dye · change
Is the dye meant to control algae or weeds? No, only for color · change
Does a stream flow into the pond and out again? No, it's fed by runoff or groundwater only · change

State

Pond dyes

DEP

A pond dye used to control algae or plants (for example by blocking light) needs the joint Chapter 91 permit like any other chemical. A dye used only for color does not, and in a pond fed only by runoff or groundwater it may be applied according to the label. But if a stream flows into the pond and water flows out, dyes and other products that change the water's appearance generally may not be used unless DEP authorizes it.

DEP pesticide permitting FAQ, #25 (PDF)

Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: Water Quality Permitting for Pesticide Applications in Pennsylvania: FAQ (rev. Feb 21, 2025), FAQ #25 This may be outdated

Info

Follow the label: the label is the law

The product label

Follow the product label; the label is the law. This site gives no dosing advice. Only products registered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, and labeled specifically for aquatic use, can be listed on the Chapter 91 permit application.

PFBC: Pond Management

Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: Permit Requirement for Use of an Aquatic Herbicide in Ponds (updated Sep 8, 2025) This may be outdated

State

Submerged Lands License Agreement (navigable waters only)

Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)

Fee: On state-owned navigable waters, docks also need a Submerged Lands License Agreement.

On a stream, river or lake that has been legally determined to be a navigable water of the Commonwealth, where the state owns the bed, a dock or other permitted structure also needs a Submerged Lands License Agreement with DEP. DEP publishes the lists of covered waters. The regulation sets a $250 annual charge for a private recreational dock owned and used only by the adjacent riparian owners, and no charge when the dock is built under a general permit; DEP makes the final determination.

Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: Submerged Lands License Agreement This may be outdated

Also check

Local

Also check with your municipality

Your township, borough or city (and county)

Ask about zoning, building and floodplain permits. Your county, township or municipal government may have its own rules, codes or permits for pond construction or maintenance, so check with every level of local government before you start, especially for a new pond.

Checked Oct 4, 2026 · Source: Pond Agencies and Permits in Pennsylvania: Local Government (updated May 19, 2025) This may be outdated

A summary, not legal or engineering advice. The regulation, the permit documents and the product label control. Confirm with the agency before you start.

Pros for this work

Optional. We use it only to show pros who serve your area. It isn't saved with your plan.

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This is not a permit or an application. We don't file anything for you. Agency fees are paid only to the agency.

Pond & Shore PA plan · lakepennsylvania.us/plan/2h54j · Checked Oct 4, 2026

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