January 9, 2026
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced today the publication of the 2026 nationwide permits in the Federal Register. The 56 reissued and one new nationwide permit in the final action are necessary for work in streams, wetlands and other waters of the United States under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899.
The nationwide permits have no major changes from 2021, the last time the permits were issued. The nationwide permits in this action take effect March 15, 2026. The 2021 permits are set to expire March 14, 2026.
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 posted to the USACE Web site at http://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/CivilWorks/RegulatoryProgramandPermits/NationwidePermits.aspx.
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 one new nationwide permit in 2026 is nationwide permit 60. This nationwide permit 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.
Modest changes have been made to some of the 2026 nationwide permits to clarify what types of regulated activities may be authorized by nationwide permits. Modifications to the nationwide permits were informed by feedback from the public and other stakeholders. All improvements, additions and revisions in the 2026 nationwide permits are consistent with USACE’s commitment to evaluate minor activities efficiently, while ensuring appropriate environmental protection for jurisdictional aquatic resources.
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.
Nationwide permit 56 authorizing activities associated with finfish mariculture was not reissued in this final action. Additionally, nationwide permit 26 has not been issued since 2000 and nationwide permit 47 has not been assigned since 2012.
Additional information about the USACE Regulatory Program can be found at http://www.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Regulatory-Program-and-Permits/.