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Permits and Permissions in the Omaha District - Section 10 & 404

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Points of Contact

The Omaha District Regulatory staff is available to advise potential applicants of information foreseeably required for section 404 and section 10 permit actions. Potential applicants for section 404 and section 10 can use the contact information below to request a pre-application consultation or discussion:
  • Colorado          303-979-4120
  • Montana          406-441-1375
  • Nebraska         402-896-0896
  • North Dakota  701-255-0015
  • South Dakota  605-224-8531
  • Wyoming         307-772-2300
 

Section 10 Permit

Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act approved March 3, 1899, (33 U.S.C. 403), provides that the construction of any structure in or over any navigable water of the United States, the excavating from or depositing of material in such waters, or the accomplishment of any other work affecting the course, location, condition, or capacity of such waters is unlawful unless the work has been recommended by the Chief of Engineers and authorized by the Secretary of the Army.
 

Section 404 Permit

Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1344) authorizes the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers, to issue permits for the discharge of dredged or fill material into the waters of the United States.

Permits and Permissions in the Omaha District - Section 408

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Section 408 Permission

Section 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act approved March 3, 1899, (33 U.S.C. 408), provides that it is not lawful for any person to alter a project built by USACE without permission from the Army. Section 408 provides that permission to alter a project can be granted if the Secretary of the Army determines the alteration will not be injurious to the public interest and will not impair the usefulness of the project.

Through the Civil Works program, the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) serves the public by providing the Nation with quality and responsive management of the Nation’s water resources.  As a result, USACE, in partnership with stakeholders, has constructed many Civil Works projects across the Nation’s landscape.  Given the widespread locations of these projects, many embedded within communities, over time there may be a need for others outside of USACE to alter or occupy these projects and their associated lands.  Reasons for alterations could include improvements to the projects; relocation of part of the project; or installing utilities or other non-project features. 

In order to ensure that these projects continue to provide their intended benefits to the public, Congress mandated that any use or alteration of a Civil Works project by another party is subject to the approval of USACE.  This requirement was established in Section 14 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899, which has since been amended several times and is codified at 33 USC 408 (Section 408). 

Section 408 provides that USACE may grant permission for another party to alter a Civil Works project upon a determination that the alteration proposed will not be injurious to the public interest and will not impair the usefulness of the Civil Works project.

 

Additional Information

USACE’s procedures for reviewing requests for Section 408 permission is contained in Engineer Circular (EC) 1165-2-220.  The corresponding internal guidance related to designating a lead district as referenced in EC 1165-2-220 can be found at this link.

To view a fact sheet with additional information about Section 408 and the revised policy, click here.

USACE reviewed and considered public comment on the draft EC 1165-2-220 to inform the final policy and procedural guidance.  To view the summary of comments received, click here.
 Points of Contact
The appropriate points of contact from whom the applicant can receive additional information regarding section 408 permission are: