REISSUANCE OF NWPs: On January 8, 2026, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) published a final action in the Federal Register (91 FR 768) announcing the reissuance of 56 existing nationwide permits (NWPs) and one new NWP, as well as the reissuance of NWP general conditions and definitions with some modifications. These 57 NWPs will go into effect on March 15, 2026, and will expire on March 15, 2031. One NWP was not reissued.
The Corps has also issued final decision documents for the new and reissued
NWPs. These final decision documents are available at www.regulations.gov at docket number COE-2025-0002. Furthermore, the national NWP decision documents will be supplemented by Division Engineers to address decisions concerning the addition of regional conditions to the NWPs.
EXPIRATION OF 2021 NWPs: The 56 existing NWPs published in the January 8, 2026 final action replace the 2021 versions of these NWPs. The 2021 versions of these NWPs expire on March 14, 2026.
REGIONAL CONDITIONS: With the publication of this Federal Register notice, Corps divisions will begin finalizing regional conditions for these 57 NWPs. Regional conditions will provide additional protection for the aquatic environment, and will help ensure that the NWPs authorized only those activities with no more than minimal adverse environmental effects. Regional conditions will help ensure protection of high value waters within Virginia.
Corps divisions and districts will also begin determining which conditions for water quality certifications issued by states, tribes, and EPA for the issuance of these NWPs become conditions of these NWPs. Corps divisions and districts will also begin determining which conditions for Coastal Zone Management Act consistency concurrences issued by states for the issuance of these NWPs become conditions of these NWPs. Those regional conditions will be announced in a future public notice issued by the Norfolk District.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The January 8, 2026, Federal Register notice is available for viewing at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/08/2026-00121/reissuance-and-modification-of-nationwide-permits
As an alternative, interested parties can access the January 8, 2026 final action and related documents at: https://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Regulatory-Program-and-Permits/Nationwide-Permits/
If you have questions about the final action to reissue or issue the 2026 NWPs, you may contact Corps Headquarters at U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Attn: CECW-CO-R, 441 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20314-1000 or see further contact information in the January 8, 2026, Federal Register notice (91 FR 768).
If you have questions concerning regional conditions, please contact Michael Bannon (804) 510-3505 or Melissa Nash (757) 201-7489 or by email at michael.r.bannon@usace.army.mil or melissa.a.nash@usace.army.mil.
If additional information is needed about permit requirements, please contact the Regulatory Division of the Norfolk District, as provided at the following link: https://www.nao.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory-Branch/.