Regulatory Branch

The Department of the Army Regulatory Program is one of the oldest in the Federal Government. Initially it served a fairly simple, straightforward purpose: 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 changed the complexion of the program, adding to its breadth, complexity and authority.

The Regulatory Program is committed to protecting the Nation's aquatic resources, while allowing reasonable development through fair, flexible and balanced permit decisions. The Corps evaluates permit applications for essentially all construction activities in the Nation's waters, including wetlands.

1616 Capitol Avenue, Suite 9000 | Omaha | Nebraska| 68102-9000 | Ph: 402-995-2470

Regulatory Announcement

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 13 February 2024 -  Availability of the Final 2022 National Wetland Plant List 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 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 final 2022 National Wetland Plant List (NWPL). The Federal Register Notice for the 2022 NWPL update can be found here: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-02-13/pdf/2024-02903.pdf.

The NWPL provides plant species wetland indicator status ratings, which are used in determining whether the hydrophytic vegetation factor is met when conducting wetland delineations under the Clean Water Act and wetland determinations under the Wetland Conservation Provisions of the Food Security Act. Other applications of the NWPL include wetland restoration, establishment, and enhancement projects. The list is effective as of 13 February 2024 and will be used in any wetland delineations performed after this date. A summary of the 2022 NWPL is provided in the table below.

2022 National Wetland Plant List Updates

Scientific Name Region 2020 Rating 2022 Rating
Isocoma menziesii Arid West FAC FACU
Populus fremontii Arid West FAC FACW

 

Completed wetland delineation/determination forms should reference the version of the NWPL used to complete the form. The final NWPL is available at: https://wetland-plants.sec.usace.army.mil/ (preferred browsers are Chrome and Firefox). Please note that while the web address for the NWPL website has not changed with this update, the website itself has undergone updates to enhance the utility of the NWPL.

Updated versions of the Automated Wetland Determination Data Sheets (ADS), which reflect revisions to the NWPL, can be found at the following link: https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Regulatory-Program-and-Permits/reg_supp/ within the “General Information” dropdown.  More info regarding the ADS and its utility in wetland delineation can be found at the following link: https://www.usace.army.mil/Media/Announcements/Article/2989646/5-april-2022-army-corps-of-engineers-announces-the-release-of-automated-wetland/.

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. 
Stay tuned for further updates on the full release of the RRS. Please click on the following link to access RRS: rrs.usace.army.mil
For additional information on or to provide feedback on RRS, please contact the rrs@usace.army.mil. rrs@usace.army.mil

Archived Announcements
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 March 18,2020 - USACE Omaha District Regulatory Branch Web page announcement regarding the COVID-19 response plan.

Beginning March 18, 2020, the USACE Omaha District’s Regulatory Branch began utilization of telework for all staff.  Telework will continue for an undetermined amount of time.  During this period Regulatory personnel will be working from home utilizing alternative technology to access work files and communicate via email.  Personnel have received guidance to evaluate risk involved with conducting local travel to perform site visits, and when asked to participate in interagency and applicant/consultant meetings.  They have also received direction to remain aware of and adhere to local/municipality and state proclamations regarding participation in gatherings and meetings and exercise flexibility in methods of participation for meetings that USACE normally hosts.

To ensure the continued delivery of the nation’s Regulatory Program, additional flexibility to standard requirements will be implemented.  Electronic submittals and signatures will be utilized when possible.  Also, virtual meeting capabilities, such as webinars or use of Skype, will be used in certain instances.   Applicants, resource agencies and the general public should continue to submit information via previously utilized methods such as mail, email and telephonic contact.  Please be aware that there will be limited to no personnel in any of the offices and the best form of contact at this time is via email.  We realize that this will impact all work products that are currently being evaluated by the Omaha District, but please understand that we are working to identify all strategies to make this impact minimal while doing our part to keep the public and our workforce safe.  This announcement will be periodically updated as procedures and strategies are identified and implemented as we work through these challenging times, so please check back regularly.

Please go to your respective state’s website for instructions on submitting documents electronically:

Colorado - Email: DenverRegulatoryMailbox@usace.army.mil

Montana - Email: Montana.Reg@usace.army.mil

Nebraska - Email: NE404Reg@usace.army.mil

North Dakota - Email: CENWO-OD-RND@usace.army.mil

South Dakota - Email: SDRegulatoryMailbox@usace.army.mil

Wyoming - Email: Wyoming.Reg@usace.army.mil