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Regulatory Guidance Letters

Regulatory Guidance Letters (RGLs) were developed by the Corps as a system to organize and track written guidance issued to its field agencies.  RGL’s are normally issued as a result of evolving policy; judicial decisions and changes to the Corps regulations or another agency’s regulations which affect the permit program.  RGL’s are used only to interpret or clarify existing Regulatory Program policy, but do provide mandatory guidance to the Corps district offices.  RGL’s are sequentially numbered and expire on a specified date.  However, unless superseded by specific provisions of subsequently issued regulations or guidance, the content provided in RGL’s generally remains valid after the expiration date.  The Corps incorporates most of the guidance provided by RGL’s whenever it revises its permit regulations.

Archive

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 2023
  • 23-01 - Guidance for Implementing the Dredging Quality Management (DQM) Program for dredging projects requiring Department of the Army (DA) permits
 2019
  • 19-02 - Timeframes for Clean Water Act Section 401 Water Quality Certifications and Clarification of Waiver Responsibility
  • 19-01 - Mitigation Bank Credit Release Schedules and Equivalency in Mitigation Bank and In-Lieu Fee Program Service Areas
 2018
  • 18-01 - Compensatory mitigation credits for removal of obsolete dams and other structures from rivers and streams
 2016
  • 16-01 - Jurisdictional Determinations
 2008
    • 08-03 - Minimum Monitoring Requirements for Compensatory Mitigation Projects Involving the Restoration, Establishment, and/or Enhancement of Aquatic Resources
    • 08-02 - Jurisdictional Determinations (superseded by RGL 16-01)
    • 08-01 - Guidance for Implementing the Silent Inspector (SI) System for Dredging Projects Requiring Department of the Army (DA) Permits
 2007
    • 07-04 - Emergency permit processing for Mosquito Control Ditching and/or Filling Activities Requiring Department of the Army (DA) permits under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and/or Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act (RHA)
    • 07-03 - Department of the Army Permit Processing for Proposed Natural Gas Projects
    • 07-02 - Exemptions for Construction or Maintenance of Irrigation Ditches and Maintenance of Drainage Ditches Under Section 404 of Clean Water Act (superseded by 24 JUL 2020 Joint Corps-EPA Memo Concerning Exempt Construction or Maintenance of Irrigation Ditches and Exempt Maintenance of Drainage Ditches)
    • 07-01 - Practices for Documenting Jurisdiction under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Sections 9 & 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act (RHA) of 1899  (superseded by RGL 16-01)
 2006
    • 06-04 - Guidance for the Implementation of the Silent Inspector (SI) for Dredging Projects requiring Department of Army (DA) permits  (rescinded)
    • 06-03 - Minimum Monitoring Requirements for Compensatory Mitigation Projects Involving the Creation, Restoration, and/or Enhancement of Aquatic Resource  (superseded by RGL 08-03)
    • 06-02 - Guidance on Dredged Material Testing for Purposes of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, and Section 103 of the Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act of 1972
    • 06-01 - Guidance for determining the timeliness of Requests for Appeal (RFA)
 2005
    • 05-09 - Guidance on Special Area Management Plans
    • 05-08 - Guidance on Environmental Impact Statements -- Third Party Contracting
    • 05-07 - Guidance on Approved NEPA Categorical Exclusions for Nationwide Permit 23
    • 05-06 - Guidance on Expired Regulatory Guidance Letters
    • 05-05 - Guidance on Ordinary High water mark Identification
    • 05-04 - Guidance on the Discharge of Sediments From or Through a Dam and the Breaching of Dams
    • 05-03 - Nationwide Permit Verifications and the Expiration of the 2002 Nationwide Permits and Future Nationwide Permits
    • 05-02 - Expiration of Geographic Jurisdictional Determinations of Waters of the United States
    • 05-01 - Guidance on the Use of Financial Assurances, and Suggested Language for Special Conditions for Department of the Army Permits Requiring Performance Bonds.
 2002
    • 02-02 - Guidance on Compensatory Mitigation Projects for Aquatic Resource Impacts Under the Corps Regulatory Program Pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899
    • 02-01 - Inclusion of Disclaimer Statements in Jurisdictional Letters Indicating that The Clean Water Act (CWA) Jurisdictional Determinations/Delineations May Not Meet the Requirements of The Food Security Act (FSA) of 1985
 2001
    • 01-01 - Guidance for the Establishment and Maintenance of Compensatory Mitigation Projects Under the Corps Regulatory Program Pursuant to Section 404(a) of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899
 1996
    • 96-01 - Use of Nationwide Permit Number 23 for U.S. Coast Guard Categorical Exclusions
    • 96-02 - Applicability of Exemptions under Section 404(f) to "Deep Ripping" Activities in Wetlands
 1995
    • 95-01 - Guidance on Individual Permit Flexibility for Small Landowners  (expired)
 1994
    • 94-01 - Extension of RGL 90-06, Expiration of Geographic Jurisdictional Determinations  (superseded by RGL 05-02)
    • 94-02 - Extension of RGL 85-07, Superfund Projects
 1993
    • 93-01 - Provisional Permits  (expired)
    • 93-02 - Guidance on Flexibility of the 404(b)(1) Guidelines and Mitigation Banking
    • 93-03 - Rescission of RGLs 90-5, 90-7, and 90-8
 1992
    • 92-01 - Federal Agencies Roles and Responsibilities  (expired)
    • 92-02 - Water Dependency and Cranberry Production  (expired)
    • 92-03 - Extension of RGL 86-10, Special Area Management Plans (SAMPS)
    • 92-04 - Section 401 Water Quality Certification and Coastal Zone Management Act Conditions for Nationwide Permits  (expired)
    • 92-05 - Alternatives Analysis Under the Section 404(b)(1) Guidelines for Projects Subject to Modification Under the Clean Water Act
 1991
    • 91-01 - Extensions of Time for Individual Permit Authorizations  (expired)
 1990
    • 90-01 - Nationwide Permit Verification
    • 90-02 - Permits for Structures and Fills Which Affect the Territorial Seas  (expired)
    • 90-03 - Extension of RGL 87-08, Testing Requirements for Dredged Material Evaluation
    • 90-04 - Water Quality Considerations (33 CFR 320.4 (d))  (expired)
    • 90-05 - Land-clearing Activities Subject to Section 404 Jurisdiction  (rescinded)
    • 90-06 - Expiration Dates for Wetlands Jurisdictional Delineations  (superseded by RGL 05-02)
    • 90-07 - Clarification of the Phrase "Normal Circumstances" as it Pertains to Cropped Wetlands  (rescinded)
    • 90-08 - Applicability of Section 404 to Pilings  (rescinded)
    • 90-09 - Wetlands Enforcement Initiative
 1989
    • 89-01 - Nationwide Permit Review Time, General Permit Notifications
    • 89-02 - Extension of RGL 85-07, Superfund Projects
    • 89-03 - Activities Within Superfund Sites  (expired)
    • 89-04 - Mandatory Public Notice Language  (expired)
 1988
    • 88-01 - Length of Public Notices  (expired)
    • 88-02 - Accounting: Charges to Projects  (expired)
    • 88-03 - Wetland Jurisdictional Determinations  (expired)
    • 88-04 - Enforcement Limitations  (expired)
    • 88-05 - Applicant Responsibility for Providing Information  (expired)
    • 88-06 - Nationwide Permit Guidance
    • 88-07 - Certification of Compliance with Permit Terms and Conditions by Permittees
    • 88-08 - Regulation of Artificial Islands, Installations, and Structures on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf  (expired)
    • 88-09 - Permit Coordination; Corps Civil Works Projects  (expired)
    • 88-10 - Regulation of Waste Disposal from In-Stream Placer Mining
    • 88-11 - NEPA Scope of Analysis; Mall Properties, Inc. vs. Marsh  (expired)
    • 88-12 - Processing Time; Regulatory Thresholds  (expired)
    • 88-13 - National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Scope of Analysis and Alternatives  (expired)
    • 88-14 - Applicability of Section 404 to Piles
    • 88-15 - Third-Party Contracting
    • 88-16 - NW7 Clarification of RGL 88-06
 1987
    • 87-01 - Streamlining the NEPA Process  (expired)
    • 87-02 - Use of the Word "Significant" in Permit Documentation  (expired)
    • 87-03 - Section 401 Water Quality Certification  (expired)
    • 87-04 - Use of Alternative Dispute Resolution in Regulatory Actions  (expired)
    • 87-05 - EIS Costs That Can Be Paid By The Applicant
    • 87-06 - Inspection and Surveillance of Permitted Activities
    • 87-07 - Section 404 (f)(1)(c) Statutory Exemption for Drainage Ditch Maintenance  (expired)
    • 87-08 - Testing Requirements for Dredged Material Evaluations  (expired)
    • 87-09 - Section 404 (f)(1)(c) Exemption for Construction or Maintenance of Farm or Stock Ponds  (expired)
    • 87-10 - Use of Nationwide Permit 23 for new Federal Highway Administration Categorical Exclusions
    • 87-11 - Extension of RGL 85-06
 1986
    • 86-01 - Exemptions to CWA - Plowing
    • 86-02 - Nationwide Permit at 33 CFR 330.5(A)(23): Categorical Exclusions
    • 86-03 - Section 404(f)(1)(e) Exemption of Farm and Forest Roads (33 CFR Part 323.4(a)(6))  (expired)
    • 86-04 - Projects Involving Both Individual and General Permits  (rescinded)
    • 86-05 - Interagency Agreement-Guidance: Implementation of Sec 404(q) MOAs with DOI, EPA, and DOC
    • 86-06 - Water Quality Considerations
    • 86-07 - Projects Involving Both Individual and General Permits
    • 86-08 - Summary of Decision in River Road Alliance vs Corps of Engineers  (expired)
    • 86-09 - Clarification of "Normal Circumstances" in the Wetland Definition (33 CFR 323.2(c))  (expired)
    • 86-10 - Special Area Management Plans (SAMPS)
    • 86-11 - Acknowledging Public Notice Comments  (expired)
    • 86-12 - National Security: Permit Applications for Military Projects Involving Presence of Nuclear Weapons
 1985
    • 85-01 - State Transfer Authority  (expired)
    • 85-02 - Permit for Bridges and Causeways in the Navigable Waters of the U.S.  (expired)
    • 85-03 - Contractor Reports  (expired)
    • 85-04 - Agricultural Conversion: Avoyelles
    • 85-05 - Referral Provisions of 33 CFR 325.8  (expired)
    • 85-06 - Permit Conditioning for Minimum In-Stream Flows  (expired)
    • 85-07 - Superfund Projects  (expired)
    • 85-08 - Implementation of Fish and Wildlife Mitigation in the Corps of Engineers Regulatory Program  (expired)
 1984
    • 84-01 - Agricultural Conversion: Regulatory Jurisdiction Over Vegetative Operations
    • 84-02 - Criteria for Individual Review of Discharge Activities Subject to Certain Nationwide General Permit
    • 84-03 - Processing Time Measurement
    • 84-04 - Application of Sec 404 to Dredging Projects
    • 84-05 - Fifth Circuit Decision in Avoyelles vs. Marsh
    • 84-06 - EPA's Role in Determining Compliance with Sec 404(B)(1) Guidelines
    • 84-07 - Charting of Pipelines and Cables
    • 84-08 - Pre-Authorization Submittal of State Program General Permits (SPGP)
    • 84-09 - Permit Decision Documentation  (expired)
    • 84-10 - Considerations of Fairness and Equity in Implementing the Discretionary Authority Under 330.7
    • 84-11 - Nationwide Rivers Inventory
    • 84-12 - Public Notice Requirements -- Nationwide Permits
    • 84-13 - Permitting Activities Associated with Corps Planning and O&M Projects  (expired)
    • 84-14 - 33 CFR 330.8 Discretionary Authority
    • 84-15 - Nationwide Permit 26 -- Designation of Classes of Discharges and Categories of Waters of Concern
    • 84-16 - Conditioning of DA Permits to Comply with Section 401
    • 84-17 - Permits for Activities Which May Modify or Encroach on Constructed Congressionally Authorized Work  (expired)
 1983
    • 83-01 - Nationwide Permits, General Issues
    • 83-02 - Implementing Procedures for Section 404(Q) MOAs with Departments of Agriculture and Transportation
    • 83-03 - Section 103 vs. Section 404 in the Territorial Seas
    • 83-04 - Distribution of Public Notices for Activities Involving Agricultural Conversions
    • 83-05 - Nationwide Permit at 330.5(A)(23): Categorical Exclusions
    • 83-06 - Endangered Species Act - Regulatory Program
    • 83-07 - General Permits for Reducing Duplication (State Program General Permits)  (expired)
    • 83-08 - Nationwide Permit Program - Monitoring Activities
    • 83-09 - Making of Aerial Power Transmission Lines, Cables, and Structures
    • 83-10 - Rescission of RGL 82-10, Navigability Studies
    • 83-11 - Modification to Proposed Activities During the Processing of Corps Permits  (expired)
 1982
    • 82-01 - Navigability Studies
    • 82-02 - Clarification of "Normal Circumstances" in the Wetland Definition
    • 82-03 - Irrigation Exemption in Section 404(F)(1)(C) of the Clean Water Act
    • 82-04 - Release of Correspondence Received on Permit Applications
    • 82-05 - Permit Conditioning for Minimum In-Stream Flows
    • 82-06 - Review of National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permits
    • 82-07 - 60-Day Limit for Decision Making
    • 82-08 - State and Local Primacy
    • 82-09 - Implementing Procedures for Section 404(Q) Memoranda of Agreement
    • 82-10 - Nationwide Permit at 33 CFR 330.5(A)(23)
    • 82-11 - Agricultural Conversion: Regulatory Jurisdiction Over Vegetative Operations
    • 82-12 - Phase In of Change to 33 CFR 326 (Enforcement)
    • 82-13 - Public Notice Comment Period
    • 82-14 - Section 10 Jurisdictional Limits in Non-Tidal Rivers and Lakes
    • 82-15 - Permit for Bridges and Causeways In or Over Navigable Waters of the U.S.
    • 82-16 - State Transfer Authority
 1981
    • 81-01 - Maintenance Dredging
    • 81-02 - Review of Another Agency's EIS
    • 81-03 - Implementation of Guidelines for Section 404(B)(1) of the Clean Water Act
    • 81-04 - Application of Section 404 to Dredging Permits
    • 81-05 - Bonding of Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Activities
    • 81-06 - Statement of Need for an EIS in Public Notices
    • 81-07 - Obtaining Information to Supplement ENG Form 4345
    • 81-08 - Distribution of Public Notices
    • 81-09 - Status of Regulations Implementing Section 404(F) of the Clean Water Act
    • 81-10 - General Permits