Permitting Process

The Permitting Process typically begins with a wetland delineation to determine if wetlands or other waters that may be regulated by the Corps are present on a property. If a project will impact a jurisdictional wetland or other water, then a permit from the Corps may be required. 

The Regulatory Division is continually improving efficiencies within the Regulatory Program. Regulatory has introduced a NEW national online application portal and management platform called the Regulatory Request System (RRS) to modernize its permitting process and meet user expectations by providing a straightforward transparent process for the submittal of permit requests. RRS is a web-based platform currently in a beta version which provides general information on the Regulatory Program and allows submittal of pre-application meeting requests, jurisdictional determination requests, and individual and general permit applications and other necessary information, saving time and reducing the need for paper-based submissions. Applicants will also be able to track the status of their projects using a user-friendly dashboard. Users will be required to create an account using LOGIN.GOV for online submittals and to receive status updates. Click on the Link Below for additional information:

https://rrs.usace.army.mil/rrs/home/permitting

Below you will also find useful documents, links, and information about Delineations, Jurisdictional Determinations, Pre-Application Meetings, Permit Exemptions, Nationwide Permits, Regional PermitsIndividual Permits, and the Permit Application and  Permit Resources are also available on this page.   Please contact us if you have questions about any aspect of the permitting process.

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Expand List item 3963Collapse List item 3963  Pre-Application Meetings  

A Pre-application meeting is an optional step in the permitting process. Pre-application meetings may be requested for any type of proposed project, but it is recommended for those projects that may be complex and/or potentially controversial.

Please use the below form to request a pre-application meeting with the Corps.  All available project information may be submitted with the request. 

 

Expand List item 26921Collapse List item 26921  2021 Nationwide Permits

 

On January 13, 2021, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) published a final rule in the Federal Register (86 FR 2744) announcing the reissuance of 12 existing nationwide permits (NWPs) and four new NWPs, as well as the reissuance of NWP general conditions and definitions with some modifications. These 16 NWPs went into effect on March 15, 2021, and will expire on March 14, 2026. Click here for the 16 NWPs.  

On December 27, 2021, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) published a final rule in the Federal Register (86 FR 73522) announcing the reissuance of 40 existing nationwide permits (NWPs) and one new NWP. These 41 NWPs went into effect on February 25, 2022, and they will expire on March 14, 2026. Click here for the final rule.

Final Regional Conditions for 2021 Nationwide Permits in Charleston District (SAC)  (for all 57 NWPs, effective February 25, 2022)

The Charleston District has developed a table to assist prospective permittees with determining which state permits may be required, as well as the Water Quality Certification and/or Coastal Zone Consistency conditions that would apply to specific NWPs in the State of South Carolina. Click here for the Water Quality Certification and Coastal Zone Consistency Table

Information on the 401 Water Quality Certifications and Coastal Zone Consistency Certification Actions is available on the  S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control website.  

Checklists for the 2021 NWPs

NWP-3

NWP-6

NWP-7

NWP-12

NWP-13

NWP-14

NWP-18

NWP-27

NWP-29

NWP-33

NWP-36

NWP-38

NWP-39

NWP 48

NWP-57

NWP-58

 

 

 

Expand List item 3994Collapse List item 3994  Regional General Permits

The Charleston District has developed Regional General Permits to authorize specific activities that cause only minimal adverse environmental impacts to aquatic resources separately or on a cumulative basis. The below Regional General Permits are available for use within the State of South Carolina.

General Public

SC Department of Natural Resources

SC Department of Transportation

 

Expand List item 3995Collapse List item 3995  Individual Permits


Projects that do not qualify for Nationwide or Regional General Permits are reviewed as Individual Permits. Individual Permit decisions are made on a case-by-case basis after project evaluation.


 

Expand List item 3996Collapse List item 3996  Permit Application and Other Useful Forms and Permit Resources

Below is the Joint Federal and State Application Form, which is required when applying for a permit, as well as other useful forms and permit resources.  

 

    Charleston District Federal Projects and Federal Navigation Projects  List - Click Here

 

Charleston District Navigation Study Reports  (These documents are large and may take a few minutes to open)


 

Quick Links