News and Updates

8 May 2025

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers encourages use of Regulatory Request System for an improved permitting experience

Last year the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers introduced its new Regulatory Request System (RRS), an online application portal that allows the public to submit permit applications and other information when requesting permission to dredge, fill or conduct activities in jurisdictional wetlands and waters of the U.S. RRS is accessible at https://rrs.usace.army.mil/rrs. RRS users can submit individual permit applications, general permit pre-construction notifications, jurisdictional determination requests, and other information needed during the permit evaluation process using easy-to-follow online submission forms. Applicants can also track the status of their requests using a user-friendly dashboard. RRS benefits the applicant by eliminating the burden associated with the preparation and mailing of paper applications. It also reduces some of the effort associated with processing applications and data entry making the permitting process more efficient. Click here to learn more about the benefits of RRS (RRS Testimonial Video). For more information on the USACE Regulatory Program visit https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Regulatory-Program-and-Permits/. For further details or to provide feedback about the RRS, please contact USACE at rrs@usace.army.mil.

14 Apr 2025

SPN: Special emergency processing procedures for activities subject to Executive Order 14156, Declaring a National Energy Emergency.

On April 14th, 2025, USACE issued a Special Public Notice (SPN) announcing the establishment of special emergency processing procedures for activities subject to Executive Order 14156, Declaring a National Energy Emergency. The purpose of this notice is to advise the public that the United States (U.S.) Army Corps of Engineers, Alaska District has established special emergency processing procedures in accordance with 33 CFR § 325.2(e)(4) for the National Energy Emergency established by Executive Order (EO) 14156, which was issued on January 20, 2025 under the President’s legal authorities, including the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq) and section 301 of title 3, United States code. The SPN, along with the associated "Alaska District SOP for Processing of Permit Applications in Emergency Situations Pursuant to Executive Order (EO) 14156 and 33 CFR 325.2(e)(4), 26 March 2025", are posted on the Special Public Notice page.

28 Jan 2025

2024 Draft National Wetland Plant List Public Comment Period

Expiration date: 3/31/2025

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), as part of an interagency effort with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, is announcing the availability of the draft changes to the 2024 NWPL and soliciting public comments. The Federal Register Notice (FRN) for the 2024 NWPL update can be found here https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/28/2025-01798/national-wetland-plant-list. These proposed changes include wetland indicator status rating changes to one species in the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plan and Eastern Mountains and Piedmont Regions, one species in the Midwest and Northcentral and Northeast Regions, and, as a result of research conducted by the Wetlands Regulatory Assistance Program (WRAP), eight species in the Alaska Region (read the full report here: http://dx.doi.org/10.21079/11681/49509). Comments on these proposed changes should be emailed to nwpl@usace.army.mil. The public comment period ends on 31 March 2025.

26 Sep 2024

USACE closes regulatory Kenai Field Office in Soldotna

Expiration date: 10/25/2024

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Alaska District’s Regulatory Division closed its Kenai Field Office Sept. 23 located in Soldotna. While the physical office will no longer be operational, the staff remain committed to providing support and ensuring uninterrupted service to the community and stakeholders. Field office personnel will be available for meetings and site visits by appointment. The public can communicate with the Kenai team by sending correspondence to the address below: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ATTN: Kenai Field Office P.O. Box 6898 JBER, Alaska 99506-0898 Alternatively, emails may be directed to cepoa-rd-kenai@usace.army.mil. Phone inquiries can be made at the mainline at (907) 753-2712, 907-753-2689 or 907-227-3124. The mission of USACE’s Regulatory Program is one of the oldest in the federal government. Initially, it served to protect and maintain the navigable capacity of the nation’s waters. Time, changing public needs, evolving policy, case law and new statutory mandates have led to modifications to the program and its authorities. USACE’s jurisdiction as related to the Department of Army permit application process includes Section 404 of the Clean Water Act of 1972, under which USACE regulates the discharge of dredge and fill materials in waters of the United States; and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, under which USACE is responsible for the protection and maintenance of the nation’s navigable waterways.

31 Jan 2024

USACE launches new Regulatory Request System

USACE announces the launch of its new Regulatory Request System (RRS). RRS is designed to make the review of permit requests a transparent and efficient process for the public. RRS, currently in a beta version, provides general information on the Regulatory Program and allows the public to submit pre-application meeting requests and jurisdictional determination requests. Additional capability is scheduled in Spring 2024. This added capability will allow users the ability to electronically submit individual and general permit applications and other necessary information, saving time and reducing the need for paper-based submissions. RRS will streamline the permit application process and underscores USACE commitment to modernizing our application process, meeting user expectations, and providing a transparent, straightforward process for the timely review of permit requests. For additional information on or to provide feedback on RRS, please contact the rrs@usace.army.mil.

27 Nov 2023

Final 2023 CWA Section 401 Water Quality Certification Improvement Rule

The final 2023 Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certification Improvement Rule (2023 Rule) went into effect on November 27, 2023. The final rule is grounded in the fundamental authority granted by Congress to states, territories, and Tribes to protect water resources that are essential to healthy people and thriving communities over the past 50 years

28 Jul 2023

NEPA | National Environmental Policy Act - CEQ NEPA Implementing Procedures

On July 28, 2023, CEQ announced a Phase 2 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking—the “Bipartisan Permitting Reform Implementation Rule”—to revise its regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), including to implement the amendments to NEPA by the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023.

19 Jan 2023

USACE and the U.S. Coast Guard execute a new MOU on navigable waters of the United States

On 19 January 2023, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) Regulatory Program and the U.S. Coast Guard (Coast Guard) executed a new Memorandum of Understanding on agency reviews of bridge and causeway projects over, in, or affecting navigable waters of the United States.

1 Dec 2022

Release of the Interim Draft of the National Ordinary High Water Mark Field Delineation Manual for Rivers and Streams

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and EPA (the Agencies) jointly announce the availability of the Interim Draft of the National Ordinary High Water Mark Field Delineation Manual for Rivers and Streams (National OHWM Manual) and its accompanying data sheet. The Interim Draft National OHWM Manual provides draft technical guidance for identifying and delineating the OHWM using a scientifically supported, rapid framework. The one-year testing and comment period ends on December 1, 2023. A final version of the National OHWM Manual is anticipated to be published during 2024.

20 Jul 2022

Pay.gov - Department of the Army Permit Fees

Applicants are now able to pay Department of the Army permit fees online at pay.gov instead of writing and mailing a check. This convenient option allows for multiple payment methods (bank account, Amazon account, PayPal, debit or credit card). The direct link for making Department of the Army permit fee payments on pay.gov is https://www.pay.gov/public/form/start/996412796. Click here for a pay.gov payment walk-through which explains the process.