Walla Walla District

Below is an outline of the basic application process, based on submission of a typical and complete application:

• Pre-application consultation – optional
• Applicant submits a Joint Application for Permit to the appropriate field office
• Application is received* and assigned to a Project Manger
• Incomplete applications are returned for correction/completeness
• Application is reviewed** and assigned a Department of Army (DA) identification number
• If activities fall within general permit (nationwide or regional) guidelines/categories, a permit is issued
• If activities qualify for an abbreviated permit processing, a letter of permission is issued
• If activities require a public notice, within 15 days of receiving all information - Federal, state, local agencies, special interest groups, the general public, etc. are notified via a Public Notice announcement
• Corps considers all comments received
• Other federal agencies are consulted - if appropriate
• Corps may ask applicant for additional information
• Public hearing held - if needed
• Corps makes a final decision
• Permit issued or denied – applicant advised of reason(s)

• Conservation
• Economics
• Aesthetics
• General environmental concerns
• Wetlands
• Cultural values
• Flood hazards
• Flood plain values
• Food production
• Navigation
• Recreation
• Water supply & conservation
• Water quality
• Energy needs
• Safety
• Public welfare

The following general criteria from Section 404(b)(1) of the Clean Water Act will be considered in the evaluation of every application:

• The relative extent of the public and private need for the proposed activity;
• The practicability of using reasonable alternative locations and methods to accomplish the objective of the proposed activity; and
• The extent and permanence of the beneficial and/or detrimental effects which the proposed activity is likely to have on the public and private uses to which the area is suited

Application procedures may vary slightly from Corps District to Corps District.  This is primarily due to requirements specific to each permit, the type of activity, and appropriate permit type.  Permit types include Letter of Permission (LOP), Individual Permit (IP), Regional General Permit (RGP), and Nationwide Permits (NWP).

A signed Application for Permit is required to start the evaluation process. 

Contact your local Field Office for additional information.

A Letter of Permission, or LOP, is a type of individual permit that is issued in an abbreviated manner.  A Letter of Permission may be issued if work is minor or routine, contains minimum impacts, and objections are unlikely.  Minor structures that do not qualify for a Regional General or a Nationwide permit may qualify for a Letter of Permission.

This permit type is evaluated by both Federal and State agencies and adjacent property owners for 15 days and is typically approved within 45 to 60 days.  A Letter of Permission can be issued much more quickly than a standard permit because an individual public notice is not required.

To see if your proposed activities qualify for a Letter of Permission, contact the local Field Office where the activity will be located.  A complete application form, a Vicinity Map, one set of plan-view drawings, and one set of section-view drawings must also be submitted with the application. 

Individual Permits are issued following a full public notice interest review of an individual application for a Department of Army permit.  A public notice is distributed to all known interested persons.  After evaluating all comments and information received, a final decision on the application is made.

The final decision is made on a case-by-case evaluation and is generally based on the outcome of the public notice process and a determination of project benefits versus detriments (losses).  A permit will most likely be granted unless the proposal is found to be contrary to the public interest. 

Processing time takes approximately 120 days after the complete application packet has been submitted, unless a public hearing is required or an environmental statement must be prepared.

A nationwide permit is a general permit that authorizes a category of activities throughout the nation by streamlining the approval process for certain types of activities that have minimal impacts to aquatic resources.  These permits are valid only if the conditions applicable to the permit are met.  If the conditions cannot be met, a regional or individual permit will be required.  

Nationwide permits are regulated by 33CFR PART 330 for certain specified activities.  In most cases, the formal evaluation of a permit application is not required because nationwide permits have already been issued to the public at large by the Corps of Engineers and Congress. 

Examples include fish and wildlife harvesting devices; structures for the exploration, production, and transportation of oil, gas, and minerals; and activities required for the construction, expansion, modification, or improvement of linear transportation projects. 

To apply for a nationwide permit, a complete Application Form, a Vicinity Map, one set of plan-view drawings, and one set of section-view drawings must be submitted to the appropriate Field Office. 

Regional Permits may be granted for activities that cause only a minimal cumulative impact.

Determining factors for the District Engineer to issue a Regional Permit (for a general category of activities) are:

1. Are activities similar in nature and cause minimal environmental impacts, both individually and cumulatively? 

   AND

2. Will the regional permit reduces duplication of regulatory control by State and Federal agencies?

Examples of Regional Permits may include repair/rehab of a previously authorized structure or fill; projects less than 10 cubic yards of fill; minor bank stabilization; minor road crossing fills; some utility lines.