Rock Island District / Missions / Regulatory / Permits

Regional Permits

Nationwide Permits

Obtaining a USACE Permit

What should I do if my project will impact wetlands or other waters of the United States?

First, any proposed project or other activity should be designed to avoid and minimize any disturbance to the wetland, stream, or other aquatic area, as much as is practicable before applying for a permit from the Corps. Avoidance and minimization of impacts to wetlands or other aquatic areas can include locating any activity away from the wetland area, establishing buffer zones and protecting the quality of the water that may be discharged into wetlands. If impacts to wetlands or any other water of the United States are proposed, apply for a permit.

Corps Permits

Applications for proposed projects submitted to the Corps will generally fall under one of 3 types of application processes: 

  • Nationwide Permits are a streamlined series of general permits issued by the Corps throughout the US for minor projects in certain areas. All nationwide permits have general conditions which must be met in order for a project to qualify under the nationwide permit program. Some nationwide permits also require pre-construction notification to the Corps prior to the initiation of any activities.
     
  • Regional Permits are a type of general permit as defined in 33 CFR 322.2(f) and 33 CFR 323.2(n). Regional permits are district and state specific and most require pre-construction notification to the Corps. Regional Permits expand general permitting options for certain areas, work types, and applicants under special conditions.
     
  • Individual Permits are required for projects which do not fall under the criteria for a general permit. Individual permits require the completion of the Public Notice process, Individual 401 Water Quality Certification, alternatives analysis, and avoidance and minimization considerations. For individual permits, the Corps will issue a Public Notice advising all interested parties of the proposed activity. This Public Notice process helps the Corps to evaluate the probable impact of the project as part of the public interest review.

What should I do if I have questions about which permit my project will fall under?

Set up a Pre-Application Consultation with our office through the Regulatory Request System (RRS) or email. Include your project location, description, and any questions you may have. This consultation can help clear up what the permitting process will look like for your specific project.

New! Regulatory Automated Permit Application System

USACE is pleased to announce that the new national online application portal and management platform, known as the Regulatory Request System (RRS) now includes an electronic submission option for permit applications. This platform has been introduced to modernize our permit application process and to address our users' expectations by providing a straightforward and transparent process for the submittal of permit requests.

RRS is a web-based platform currently in a beta version that enables users to submit pre-application meeting requests, jurisdictional determination requests, and now applications for individual and general permits. This new system aims to streamline the process, improve efficiency, and provide a more user-friendly experience for our applicants.     

We believe that RRS will not only benefit our users by simplifying the application process but will also enhance our ability to effectively manage and review permit requests. We are confident that this modernization initiative will lead to improved customer satisfaction and greater overall efficiency within our Regulatory Program.

We encourage users to explore and utilize the new Regulatory Request System to take advantage of its benefits and features. Visit rrs.usace.army.mil today!

For additional information on or to provide feedback on RRS, please contact us using the following email: rrs@usace.army.mil.