May 12, 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.

April 22, 2025 - ***Updated*** The Maryland Wetland Assessment Methodology (MDWAM) Guidebook is updated to Version 1.1 on the Baltimore District Website.

Requests for a few changes to the MDWAM Guidebook have been made and updated to the new Version 1.1. The updated MDWAM Guidebook is located at: https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Mitigation/.

March 26, 2025 - The Fish Passage for Mitigation Beta Tool (Fish Passage Tool or FPBT) has been posted to the Baltimore District Webpage for use by Corps project managers and the general public. It is provided as Appendix F of the Maryland Stream Mitigation Framework V.1. Final located at: https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Mitigation/.

The Fish Passage Tool provides an additional option to estimate compensatory mitigation stream crediting (functional feet) for fish barrier removal projects in Maryland.

The purpose of the Fish Passage Tool is to: (1) to encourage strategic fish passage projects as a form of compensatory mitigation for impacts under CWA Section 404; (2) to create a credit accounting system which rewards proposals based on the ecological benefits of the proposed projects; (3) to align with the Maryland Stream Mitigation Framework (MSMF) by using functional feet as the unit of credit, allowing for combination with other forms of mitigation such as stream preservation and restoration work; (4) Improve public safety through the removal of obsolete dangerous structures; (5) Increase the availability of mitigation credits for CWA Section 404 permit applicants.

JANUARY 28 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 its web address to solicit public comments. 

The public now has the opportunity to comment on the proposed changes to wetland indicator status ratings for one plant species in the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain and Eastern Mountains, and Piedmont regions and one species in the Midwest and Northcentral and Northeast regions. Additionally, changes to eight species in the Alaska Region are proposed and available for public comment. 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 .  The public comment period ends on 31 March 2025.

USACE encourages public input in the form of data, comments, literature references, or field experiences, to help clarify the status of the species reviewed for this update. Comments on these proposed changes should be emailed to nwpl@usace.army.mil. Users are encouraged to submit literature citations, herbaria records, experiential references, monitoring data, photographic documentation, and other relevant information. Specific knowledge of, or studies related to, individual species are particularly helpful. When providing input or information on the draft changes to the 2024 NWPL update, commenters should use their regional botanical and ecological expertise, field observations, reviews of the most recent indicator status information, appropriate botanical literature, floras, herbarium specimens with notation of habitat and associated species, habit data, relevant studies, and historic list information. Providing ratings without supporting documentation or information is not recommended. All submitted comments and information will be compiled and sent to the National Panel for their review and consideration.

USACE administers the NWPL for the United States and its territories.  The NWPL provides plant species 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.  Additions or deletions to the NWPL represent new records, range extensions, nomenclatural and taxonomic changes, and newly proposed species.  The latest review process began in 2024 and included review by Regional Panels and the National Panel. 

Additional information on the NWPL can be found at the NWPL website (https://wetland-plants.sec.usace.army.mil/), including a new video on how to use the newly redesigned site, which can be found here: https://wetland-plants.sec.usace.army.mil/reference/.

January 10, 2025 - Stream Mitigation Performance Standards and Monitoring Requirements in Maryland.

The Baltimore District has provided the "Stream Mitigation Performance Standards and Monitoring Requirements in Maryland" template to assist with structuring mitigation plans when stream mitigation is required for CWA Section 404 impacts.  The template provides various monitoring standards for different mitigation activities in Maryland (i.e., stream channel restoration, stream preservation, stream buffer restoration, fish passage...). The template includes an excel workbook "Stream Mitigation Performance Standards Tables" to help structure monitoring work and performance standards tracking.  The pdf document "Stream mitigation Performance Standards and Monitoring Requirements in Maryland" provides detailed descriptions of various performance standards and monitoring expectations.  These new documents can be found at: https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Mitigation/ under the heading "Maryland Stream Mitigation Framework.

January 6, 2025 - Public Notices Module Now Available—Enhances RRS Functionality!

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is excited to announce the launch of the Public Notice module on the Regulatory Request System (RRS). Released in January 2025, this new feature allows users nationwide to search, review, and comment on projects being reviewed by the Regulatory Program, significantly enhancing transparency, accessibility, and efficiency. The Public Notice module provides access to Regulatory projects requiring a standard permit or when public notices are issued to develop Mitigation Banks, In-lieu Fee Programs or to issue/reissue a Regional or Programmatic Permit or Section 404 Letter of Permission.  It organizes notices by state and district, which can be viewed in a table format or on an interactive map. Users can easily search for notices by project name or address and submit comments directly through the platform, streamlining public engagement and reinforcing USACE's commitment to improving transparency and the permitting process.

The RRS is a web-based platform, currently in its beta version, designed to simplify the permitting process and enhance user experience. In addition to the new Public Notice Module, RRS enables users to submit permit applications, request jurisdictional determinations, and schedule pre-application meetings, all through a user-friendly interface.

We encourage you to explore the Regulatory Request System and its new features by visiting rrs.usace.army.mil. For additional information or to provide feedback, please contact us at rrs@usace.army.mil.

November 27, 2024 - Availability of New and Updated Engineer (ENG) Forms for the USACE Regulatory Program.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announces the availability of new and updated Engineer (ENG) forms for use in our delivery of the USACE Regulatory Program. These new and updated forms are designed to efficiently and effectively collect information needed to implement our Regulatory Program. 

Practitioners and the public can access USACE’s Regulatory ENG forms at https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Regulatory-Program-and-Permits/Regulatory-Program-Forms/.

USACE ENG forms can also be accessed from the USACE Publications Engineer Forms website at https://www.publications.usace.army.mil/usace-publications/engineer-forms/.

Please note that most regulatory requests, such as requests for permit actions and requests for jurisdictional determinations, can now be completed online through USACE’s Regulatory Request System (RRS). 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!

August 1, 2024 – THE MARYLAND WETLAND ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY (MDWAM – Interim Version 1.0).
The Corps has published MDWAM for use by USACE project managers in review of Department of the Army permit applications involving impacts to jurisdictional wetlands and for the review of mitigation proposals to compensate for such impacts in Maryland (https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Mitigation/). MDWAM was developed to provide a defensible tool to evaluate wetland condition in a rapid and repeatable manner to increase the consistency of the USACEs permit decision making process, particularly those projects requiring compensatory mitigation. The tool will also improve the understanding of wetland functions and conditions to better inform impact avoidance/minimization efforts, evaluation of project alternatives, development of plans, and development and monitoring of compensatory mitigation efforts. This tool includes a guidebook and four separate appendices which is in the Additional Compensatory Mitigation Information and Tools section at the link above.

May 15, 2024 – Permit applications are now available in RRS!
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.

In Baltimore District, the RRS should be used to submit requests for pre-application meetings and jurisdictional determinations, to report a potential violation, and to learn the basics of the Regulatory Program. Please do not use the RRS to apply for a permit in Pennsylvania, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and certain military installations within northern Virginia (i.e., Fort Belvoir, Fort Myer, and the Pentagon). For information on how to obtain a Department of the Army authorization or to obtain copies of the permit application forms within the Baltimore District, please visit https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Permit-Types-and-Process/.

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.

May 13, 2024 – Maryland Tidal Shoreline Project Review Team
The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the Corps Baltimore District (Corps) are jointly establishing a multi-agency project review team consisting of federal and state regulatory and resource agency staff to assist applicants and/or their agents receive coordinated early feedback on living shoreline and coastal resiliency projects prior to submission of a Joint Permit Application (JPA).

The review team meetings will be a forum for applicants and/or their agents to present any proposed living shoreline or coastal resiliency project that would benefit from early discussion and feedback to streamline project permit review. Feedback may include recommendations for incorporating avoidance and minimization, development and evaluation of project alternatives, and additional elements necessary for submitting a complete permit application.

Projects that may benefit from coordination with the SPRT include living shorelines proposed in submerged aquatic vegetation or other marine resources, living shorelines that propose habitat conversion, and projects aimed at promoting coastal resiliency.

For more information, please visit MDE’s Shoreline Project Review Team webpage: https://mde.maryland.gov/programs/water/WetlandsandWaterways/Pages/Shoreline-Project-Review-Team.aspx

March 14, 2024 - Compensatory Mitigation Responsibility Transfer & Bill of Sale Template
The Baltimore District has developed a Compensatory Mitigation Responsibility Transfer & Bill of Sale Template (“Template”) for use in documenting the transfer of responsibility/bill of credit sales by permittees and bank and in-lieu fee (ILF) program sponsors. When a permittee is required to use a bank or ILF program as compensatory mitigation as part of a Department of the Army authorization, the permittee is responsible for providing the District with an executed copy of this Template before commencing authorized work. A copy of the Template can be found under the “Additional Compensatory Mitigation Information and Tools” heading at the following link:  https://www.nab.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Mitigation/

February 13, 2024 - Final 2022 National Wetland Plant List (NWPL)
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.

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/.

January 31, 2024 – USACE launches new Regulatory Request System HQ USACE Regulatory
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. Visit the website at rrs.usace.army.mil.

For additional information on or to provide feedback on RRS, please contact the rrs@usace.army.mil.

September 20, 2023-The Maryland Stream Mitigation Framework Version 1 Final (MSMF V.1. Final)
The Corps has published the Maryland Stream Mitigation Framework Version 1 Final (MSMF V.1. Final) for use by Corps project managers in review of Department of the Army permit applications where greater than minimal stream impacts occur and for review of mitigation proposals in Maryland to offset such impacts. The tool includes a user manual, stream credit/debit calculation workbook, and several other appendices to help populate fields in the calculation workbook including Functional/Conditional Assessments for streams and stream buffers. MSMF V.1. Final may also be used by project applicants to estimate stream credits or debits for proposed permit applications.

April 12, 2023-Joint Public Notice - Notice of Availability of the Beta Streamflow Duration Assessment Method for Northeast/Southeast:  
The method, data forms, and training opportunities are available at: https://www.epa.gov/streamflow-duration-assessment/beta-streamflow-duration-assessment-methods-northeast-and-southeast. For additional information on the development of regional Streamflow Duration Assessment Methods for nationwide coverage, see: https://www.epa.gov/streamflow-duration-assessment.

March 20, 2023-2023 Rule (Revised Definition of “waters of the United States”)
On January 18, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of the Army published a regulation in the "Federal Register" revising the definition of waters of the United States now known as the 2023 Rule. This rule became effective on March 20, 2023. More information on the 2023 Rule can be found here.

December 1, 2022-Interim Draft OHWM Manual
USACE and EPA announced 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. A direct link to the announcement with a link to the public notice is available at:  https://www.usace.army.mil/Media/Announcements/Article/3233308/1-december-2022-release-of-the-interim-draft-of-the-national-ordinary-high-wate/