Through its Regulatory Program, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ensures that any environmental impacts on aquatic resources from construction projects are avoided, minimized, or mitigated. The Corps is dedicated to protecting the nation's aquatic resources while allowing reasonable and necessary development to go forward. If you have questions about content within this section, please email the Norfolk District at CENAO-.REG_ROD@usace.army.mil.

Regulatory Program Value to the Nation Brochure

Federal Regulation

Regulatory Program Resources and Announcements can be found on the USACE Headquarters page: USACE HQ Regulatory Program and Permits

Pipe-repair guidelines - June 30, 2010
Guidelines for application of Nationwide Permits for projects involving road crossing pipe/culvert maintenance.
Pipe-repair guidelines
Pipe Repair Guidelines public notice

Liquified natural gas projects - Nov. 29, 2004
In order to ensure proposed liquified natural gas projects are being reviewed consistently and in accordance with reference documents and other laws and regulations, as applicable, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers headquarters has developed regulatory standard operating procedures for processing LNG projects.
Standard operating procedures for LNG projects

Endangered Species Act
Endangered Species Act compliance (memo from Charles Hess, dated Nov. 18, 1999)

National Historic Preservation Act of 1966
1996 PA-Corps, ACHP, VDHR
Programmatic Streamlined Review - Appendix A to 1996 PA (Sept. 2023)

• Environmental Protection Agency
• EPA Wetlands
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• Natural Resources Conservation Service
• National Marine Fisheries Service
• Virginia Marine Resources Commission
• Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
• Virginia Shoreline Erosion Advisory Service (SEAS)

On August 29, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a final rule that amends the "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States'" to conform key aspects of the regulatory text to the U.S. Supreme Court's May 25, 2023 decision in the case of Sackett v. Environmental Protection Agency. The conforming rule, "Revised Definition of 'Waters of the United States'; Conforming," published in the Federal Register and became effective on September 8, 2023.

Further information on WOTUS can be found on the U.S. EPA webpage: EPA Waters of the United States.