Issuing Agency:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
Contact:
New requests for a pre-application meeting, jurisdictional determination, or permit should be submitted through the Regulatory Request System (RRS) at rrs.usace.army.mil.
Other requests will continue to be accepted in digital format though the Sacramento District Regulatory mailbox at SPKRegulatoryMailbox@usace.army.mil.
Regulated Activity:
Any discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands. This includes construction activities in or near water bodies, such as building infrastructure, land development, and other projects that may impact rivers, lakes, wetlands, and coastal areas.
Prerequisite(s):
A detailed project description, including maps and drawings.
Environmental impact assessment, including the potential effects on aquatic ecosystems and water quality.
Compliance with other related federal laws, such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Section 401 Water Quality Certification from the state.
Public notice and comment period as part of the review process.
Processing Time:
Processing time can vary widely depending on the complexity of the project and the level of environmental impact. It typically ranges from 3 months to over a year for more complex projects. Expedited processing may be available for minor projects under Nationwide Permits or WRDA Projects.
Fees:
Application fees can vary based on the type of permit (e.g., Individual Permit vs. Nationwide Permit) and the scale of the project. Fees generally range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars.
Submittal:
A complete permit application package, including all required forms, project descriptions, impact assessments, and mitigation plans. Submissions are typically made to the Regulatory Division of the USACE district office.
When To Submit:
As early as possible in the project planning process, ideally before any construction or site preparation begins. The 404 permit application should be submitted well in advance to account for the processing time and any potential delays.
Who Submits:
Project developer or property owner.
Who Receives:
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Regulatory Division.