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Regulatory Branch

The Norfolk District Regulatory Office is dedicated to protecting the nation's aquatic resources while allowing reasonable and necessary development, as wetlands filter pollutants from runoff, help store and slow floodwaters during storm events, and provide habitat for many different types of plants and animals.

The office issues permits for regulated activities proposed throughout the state of Virginia. Areas Norfolk District regulates include, but are not limited to, tidal marshes, seasonally saturated forested and nonforested wetlands, swamps, rivers, bays and streams.

Regulatory issues permits under authority of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. 

Click here to find your local regulator.

 



USACE launches new Regulatory Request System

15 May 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.

At this time, Norfolk District will not be accepting applications through RRS, so please continue using the normal Joint Permit Application Process.  Norfolk District > Missions > Regulatory > JPA (army.mil). 

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. 



Regulatory announcements

  • EPA and Army Finalize Rule Establishing Definition of WOTUS and Restoring Fundamental Water Protections

Permits, permission and certifications

The Regulatory Section processes the following permits and letters of permission for regulatory actions within the commonwealth.

Need help with your permit? Call the Regulator of the Day at 757-201-7652.

41 Nationwide Permits Published in the Federal Register (86 FR 73522) on Dec. 27, 2021 

16 Nationwide Permits Published in the Federal Register (86 FR 2744) on Jan. 13, 2021 

Commonly requested EA/EIS and permit application information

Commonly requested info

Jurisdictional determinations

The jurisdictional determination process establishes a line that separates and identifies the USACE-regulated wetland areas and waters from non-wetland (upland) areas that are not regulated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act of 1977. It generally requires positive evidence of hydrophytic vegetation, hydric soils and wetlands hydrology for a determination that an area is a wetland.

The JD provides important information to a landowner or investor for planning purposes or carrying out certain activities on a given parcel of land. It is essential in making an application for a permit from the USACE to determine if work would occur in wetlands or navigable waters of the United States.

Recent jurisdictional determinations made by Norfolk District

AJD Form and User Manual

Antecedent Precipitation Tool

 

Contact information

Find your local regulator

Regulatory Branch
803 Front St.
Norfolk, VA 23508

Submitting a Joint Permit Application?
Email your JPA directly to VMRC by
clicking here.
JPA instructions and documents are here. 

All other requests  
Email Regulator of the Day at
cenao-reg_rod@usace.army.mil
or cenao.reg_rod@usace.army.mil

To facilitate assignment of your project, all emails should include the county or independent city in the subject line, Also, if it's a federally funded transportation or trail project, please note that in your email. 

Your assigned project manager should contact you within two weeks of your request submittal to the Regulator of the Day email.

Need assistance? 
* Call the Regulator of the Day
757-201-7652

* Due to COVID-19 contingency activities, the Regulator of the Day phone line is not being staffed. Emails sent to cenao-reg_rod@usace.army.mil may experience a delayed response as well.

* The Regulatory Branch's fax machine is also currently down. Applications sent via fax cannot be accepted at this time.

 

Regulatory links

Link to customer satisfaction survey

Governing laws and regulations