WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) announced today the publication in the Federal Register of the 2026 Nationwide Permits (NWPs). The 56 reissued and one new 2026 NWPs in the rule are necessary for work in streams, wetlands and other waters of the United States under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and/or Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899.
"Under President Trump's leadership, the Army Corps of Engineers has taken decisive action to cut bureaucratic red tape and refocus our mission on American prosperity,” said Adam Telle, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. “Ensuring that American citizens and businesses can chase their dreams and build our economy without needless delays is a clear victory for our ability to compete on a global stage during the 21st Century.”
The NWPs in this final action take effect March 15, 2026. The 56 reissued NWPs replace the 2021 versions of those permits which expire March 14, 2026. The new nationwide permit is designated as NWP 60. NWP 60 authorizes the discharges of dredged or fill material and structures and work in regulated waters associated with improving the passage of fish and other aquatic organisms.
The 2026 nationwide permits have been published in today’s Federal Register at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/08/2026-00121/reissuance-and-modification-of-nationwide-permits, and will be posted to the USACE website at http://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/RegulatoryProgramandPermits/NationwidePermits.aspx.
“The nationwide permit program offers the regulated public a streamlined path to obtain timely authorization of activities that cause no more than minimal adverse impacts to the aquatic environment.” said Maj. Gen. Jason E. Kelly, USACE deputy commanding general for Civil and Emergency Operations. “These nationwide permits issued today authorize activities associated with a broad range of project types, while encouraging project proponents to avoid and minimize impacts to the nation’s aquatic resources.”
Nationwide permits streamline the process to obtain authorization under the Clean Water Act and the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. The nationwide permits also provide expedited review of projects that have no more than minimal impact on the aquatic environment. Categories of activities that may be covered under these nationwide permits include residential developments, agricultural activities, stormwater management facilities, roads and highways, commercial and institutional developments, and recreational facilities.
The nationwide permits announced today have no major changes from 2021, the last time the permits were issued.
USACE division commanders may add, after public review and consultation, regional conditions to nationwide permits to protect local jurisdictional aquatic ecosystems, or to minimize adverse effects on fish or shellfish spawning, wildlife nesting, or other ecologically critical areas.